I Have Diabetes (en Español)
Whether you have just learned you have diabetes or you have been living with diabetes for a while, it is important that you take care of yourself and prevent or delay some of the serious problems diabetes can cause.
Here are four key steps to help you control your diabetes and live a long, active life.
Step 1: Learn About Diabetes
Diabetes means that your blood glucose (blood sugar) is too high. There are two main types of diabetes.
Step 2: Know Your Diabetes ABCs
Talk to your health care team about how to manage your A1C (blood glucose or sugar), Blood pressure, and Cholesterol. This will help lower your chances of having a heart attack, a stroke, or other diabetes problems.
Diabetes HealthSense
Find tools and programs that can help you with making lifestyle and behavior changes. Diabetes HealthSense also includes research articles on lifestyle changes and behavioral strategies.
Step 3: Manage Your Diabetes
Many people avoid the long-term problems of diabetes by taking good care of themselves. Work with your health care team to reach your ABC goals. Use this self-care plan.
Step 4: Get Routine Care to Avoid Problems
See your health care team at least twice a year to find and treat any problems early. Ask what steps you can take to reach your goals.
Publications
4 Steps to Control Your Diabetes. For Life.
(NDEP-67)
These four steps help people with diabetes understand, monitor, and manage their diabetes to help them stay healthy. This publication is excellent for people newly diagnosed with diabetes or who just want to learn more about controlling the disease.
The Power To Control Diabetes Is in Your Hands
(NDEP-38)
This brochure for older adults helps them manage their diabetes, understand how to check blood glucose levels, manage the ABCs of diabetes, and access Medicare benefits.
Know Your Blood Sugar Numbers
(NDEP-10)
Learn more about the importance of knowing your blood sugar numbers. This publication contains information on the A1C test, self-monitoring blood glucose, and working with a health care team to set blood glucose targets and reach them.
In addition to a downloadable file (PDF) of the four-page ...
Take Care of Your Heart. Manage Your Diabetes (in English)
(NDEP-52EN)
This patient education sheet explains the link between diabetes and heart disease. It encourages patients to work with their health care team to set targets and manage their blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol. It includes a record form to track target numbers.
Resources
Take Care of Your Diabetes to Keep Your Kidneys Healthy
March is National Kidney Month, and World Kidney Day is March 8. If you have diabetes, it’s important that you know about the link between diabetes and kidney disease, and what you can do to keep your kidneys healthy.
A Guide to Changing Habits
Tips from the the American Diabetes Association to change habits and live a healthy lifestyle.
National Diabetes Education Program: An Overview
Learn more about the National Diabetes Education Program's initiatives, goals and partnership network.
