Self-Care Approaches.

There are many things you can do to help keep your diabetes treatment program on track. Important self-care steps in treating diabetes include:

• monitoring blood sugar
• taking medications
• exercising
• dieting and reducing weight
• controlling stress
Talking to Your Doctor About Diabetes
To take truly effective control over your diabetes, you must establish a partnership with your primary healthcare practitioner and be actively involved in your treatment program.

• Learn about diabetes in general and about your specific situation.
• Have your doctor measure your HbA1c regularly.
• Follow your doctor's advice regarding insulin injections, medicines, diet, exercise, and blood sugar monitoring.
• Have your blood pressure checked several times a year. If your blood pressure is high, follow your doctor's plan for keeping it near normal levels.