Welcome

• My Health

  Manage a Condition | DiabetiCare - Diabetes | Staying in Check

  ---

  Staying In Check Office Visits It’s important to see your doctor at least twice a year if you have diabetes. Blood Pressure Have your blood pressure checked regularly and know your numbers. Cholesterol Have your cholesterol checked once a year. Foot Exams Foot ulcers can mean serious trouble for diabetics. You might not be aware that you’re developing a foot infection, so have your feet checked every time you visit your doctor. Eye Exams Once a year, your eyes need to be checked by an ophthalmologist or optometrist. Blindness can result if vision problems are left undetected and untreated. Weight Reduction Keeping your blood sugar in the normal range is easier when your diet is low in fat and you’re exercising regularly. Blood Sugar Checks Test your blood sugar as often as your doctor recommends, and be sure to record your results. Your doctor needs them to adjust your treatment. Hemoglobin Levels Your hemoglobin A1C levels tell your doctor how well your blood cells are processing sugar. This test should be done as often as your doctors advises — at least four times a year if you’re on insulin. Urine Testing To help prevent kidney problems, your doctor should advise you to have your urine tested at least once a year.

  Other important “check points” include quitting smoking and, when advised by your doctor, flu shots. DiabetiCare can be a helpful source of information on how to quit smoking. Since smoking can intensify the circulatory problems that accompany diabetes, it’s a definite health risk.

• 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  In This Section

  • DiabetiCare - Diabetes
  • Monitoring Your Blood Sugar
  • Know Your Benefits
  • 12 Steps to Controlling Diabetes
  • Working With Your Doctor
  • Staying in Check
  • HeartCare - Heart Failure
  • HeartCare - Coronary Artery Disease
  • BREATHE - Asthma
  • BREATHE - COPD
  • QuitCare - Smoking Cessation
  • If You Participate...
  • Rights and Responsibilities
  • Marketing and Advertisement policy statement