The key is to manage the disease.

By Andrea Wright

Having diabetes can be tough, but there are lots of things you can do to make managing the disease easier. By living a healthy lifestyle and getting all of the recommended screenings and tests, you can reduce the possibility of complications from diabetes.

Blood sugar (glucose) is an essential measure of your health. One of the best ways to keep your blood sugar under control is routine testing with a glucose meter. Talk to your doctor about which meter is best for you and how to accurately measure your blood sugar. 

Another important measure of your blood sugar control is an A1c test, which is performed by a health care provider. An A1c test measures your average blood glucose level over the last two to three months, and should be tested at least twice a year. For most people, an A1c level of less than 7 percent is considered good control. Having an A1c of more than 7 percent greatly increases your risk of developing kidney, heart, eye and nerve disease.

You can help keep your A1c level low by eating a healthy, well-rounded diet, staying active, losing excess body fat, and taking appropriate medications. Having your A1c tested regularly and keeping it at a healthy level is essential to diabetes care.

People with diabetes are also two to three times more likely to develop heart and kidney disease. Since the cardiovascular risks are so great, it’s important to keep your blood pressure below 130/80 mm Hg. You can help keep your heart healthy by understanding your blood pressure numbers and goals, testing it regularly, and taking hypertension medication if necessary. Eating a diet low in sodium and maintaining a healthy weight will also help lower your blood pressure.

For many people with diabetes, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) can help control your blood pressure and prevent or slow the progression of diabetes and kidney disease. These oral medications open the blood vessels and reduce fluid retention – two main factors in hypertension. Talk to your doctor about which medications are right for you.

Since diabetes can affect your vision, it’s also important to have an annual eye exam. Diabetic retinopathy, or damage to blood vessels in the retina, is the leading cause of blindness in American adults. Adults with diabetes are also nearly twice as likely to get glaucoma. Timely treatment and follow-up care can help reduce the risk of blindness by nearly 95 percent, according to the National Eye Institute. Despite these benefits, many people with diabetes do not receive a dilated retinal exam as often as needed. Your doctor can refer you to an eye care specialist or you may contact an eye doctor directly to schedule your next dilated retinal exam.

Living with diabetes can be challenging, but by staying on top of screenings and tests, keeping your blood sugar at a healthy level, taking necessary medications, and maintaining a healthy diet and exercise routine, you can help limit its harmful effects. By taking control of diabetes, you’ll help ensure that it doesn’t control you.