Only you can control your diabetes
If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, you certainly understand how poorly the symptoms of the disease can make you feel.  Many patients with diabetes complain of fatigue, inability to think clearly, pain in hands and feet, and many other symptoms.  The good news is that you do not have to suffer from these symptoms.  Getting your blood sugar under control will allow you to live a long and healthy life even with diabetes.

So, if tight blood sugar control can eliminate so many health problems, how do you do it?

• Healthy meal planning
• Exercise
• Medications
• Home blood sugar testing
• Stress management
• Goal setting

Healthy Meal Planning
Meal planning seems to be one of the most difficult things to understand for patients with diabetes.  It can be overwhelming with so many options and decisions to make.  You should remember that most everything you eat will raise your blood sugar, but that is okay.  It is important to understand that a well balanced meal is the best option, not eliminating the foods you love but eating them in moderation.  One of the best resources for meal planning is found at http://www.lillydiabetes.com/Pages/nutrition-and-fitness.aspx.  This link has even more information about specific food choices, portion sizes, and even recipes.

Exercise
Getting in the habit of exercising can be a very difficult thing to do.  Remember that you have to start somewhere, even if it is something simple.  The first step is to discuss with your health care provider what is appropriate exercise for you.  Next, consider starting with something simple, like walking up and down your driveway or parking a further distance from the entrance of your grocery store.  Many communities have walking trails or indoor facilities for walking.  These are just a few options for adding a little exercise to your daily routine.  

Medications
There are many options for medications used to treat diabetes.  Each class of medication works differently, so your doctor should determine which is best for you.  Be sure to ask your pharmacist for a list of side effects on each medication you take for your diabetes.  Many of them can cause blood sugar to drop so you need to be aware and prepared by having glucose tablets with you at all times.  

Home Blood Glucose Monitoring
In order to control your blood sugar, you have to know what it is.  Testing your blood sugar at home allows you to keep up with what your blood sugar is each day, as well as how it fluctuates with changes in diet, exercise, and medications.  It is important to keep a log book of your blood sugar readings including the date and time of each reading.  You can also note in your log book reasons you think your blood sugar may be high or low based on changes in your diet or medications.  Take the log book with you to your healthcare appointments to show your provider.  This allows them to adjust your treatment according to your readings.

Stress Management
Stress can have a significant effect on your blood sugar.  Most of the time stress will raise your blood sugar, but it can lower it.  Many things can cause added stress, such as job change, death or illness in the family, moving, or just business.  If you are experiencing added stress, talk to your health care provider about options for treatment.

Goal Setting
It is important, once you have been diagnosed with diabetes, to understand appropriate goals for your treatment.  Know the target range for your blood sugar, hemoglobin A1c, cholesterol, and blood pressure.  Below you will find the ideal ranges for a patient who has diabetes.