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Managing Your Diabetes (page 2)
Retinal
Eye Exam - diabetics should have a dilated retinal eye exam at least once
a year. The exam should be performed by an ophthalmologist or optometrist
specially trained to check for diabetic eye disease.
It is also important to protect your health with annual...
Flu Vaccination - flu can be much more
serious for diabetics than those without diabetes.
Pneumonia Vaccination
- a pneumonia
vaccination before the age of 65 will significantly lessen your risks.
Those over 65 should ask their doctor about a follow-up vaccine.
Your physician may
prescribe additional tests and alter the frequency to better match your specific
needs. It is very important for you to understand the need for routine
tests and exams and make certain that they are conducted, doctors are
human and may overlook a needed test.
Good Diabetes Health Habits
Forming good health
habits is difficult - breaking bad habits can be nightmarish. In either case,
for a diabetic, it is critically important to do both!
Your good health depends
on reaching five main goals you probably know them already, but they bear
repeating...
- Monitor Your Blood Sugar Levels - follow your
doctor's recommendations
- Check your blood sugar daily,
exactly as prescribed. Take your medicine and insulin precisely as
directed.
- Control Your Weight - manage your diet
by eating the right foods and eliminating the wrong ones. Reach your correct
weight and maintain it.
- Kick Your Bad Habits - give up
smoking and reduce alcohol to the amount your doctor recommends.
- Inspect Your Feet Daily - check the
condition of your feet and their sensitivity. Also carefully check your
shoes and socks.
- Exercise, Exercise - form a daily
routine of exercise and stick to it. Nothing will be more beneficial
to improving your health, help shed those extra pounds and give you a sense
of accomplishment quicker than a daily workout.
Your doctor can
establish the exact goals you need to attain. A certified Diabetic
Educator can help you reach these goals more easily and quickly. Diabetic
Educators are usually Registered Nurses who have had specialized diabetes
training, are tested and board certified. They are fully qualified to assist
you in all aspects of changing your lifestyle and developing good health
habits.
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