Yes, but controlling blood pressure may reduce the severity or prevent the progression of erectile dysfunction and other sexual disorders.
Learn more about sexual health and controlling blood pressure.
Yes — fiber works together with fluid in the digestive system, so make sure to increase your nonalcoholic, noncaffeinated fluid intake along with your fiber intake unless you already drink plenty of fluids.
Learn more about fiber.
You should test your blood or urine for ketones whenever:
Learn more about ketones.
Symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis include excessive thirst, dry mouth, frequent urination, and fruity-smelling breath (ketones have a fruity smell). Later, more dangerous symptoms can include nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, confusion, weakness and fatigue, and shortness of breath.
Learn more about ketones and diabetic ketoacidosis.
Even if you’re just going for a walk or a bike ride, pop a small bottle of water, a snack, your phone, some money, and your basic diabetes supplies into a small bag.
Learn about getting started with exercise.
Once you get the OK to exercise from your doctor, try 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity on most, if not all, days of the week — even if you are not overweight.
Learn about getting started with exercise.
To lower triglyceride levels, reduce your intake of refined or processed carbohydrates, such as candy, table sugar, white flour, and baked goods made with white flour.
Learn more about triglycerides.
According to guidelines from the American Diabetes Association, a cholesterol-lowering statin medication is recommended in people with diabetes ages 40 to 75 years who are at elevated cardiovascular disease risk, with the aim of decreasing LDL (“bad”) cholesterol by at least 50% to a target of less than 70 mg/dl.
Learn more about lowering cholesterol levels.
To reduce your risk of coronary heart disease, reduce your intake of saturated and trans fat. Saturated fat should be less than 7% of your total calories per day and trans fat should be avoided.
Learn more about coronary heart disease.
Start with any goal you are ready to tackle. For example, if you see some areas in your meal plan that you are ready to “tune up,” focus on them first.
Learn more about weight management.
Engage in regular, weight-bearing physical activity and consume adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D.
Learn more about maintaining healthy bones.
Adequate levels of many nutrients, including calcium, vitamin D, magnesium, and vitamin K, are necessary to build healthy bones. The most important of these are calcium and vitamin D.
Learn more about bone health.
See your doctor immediately. Treatment may include oral or intravenous antibiotics to control the infection, as well as dressings and salves with lubricating, protective, antibiotic, or cleansing properties.
Learn more about avoiding foot ulcers.
If you’re trying to lose weight, an exercise program that includes aerobic activity as well as some type of calisthenics or weight lifting will probably help you the most.
Learn more about weight loss.
If you have diabetes, quitting smoking is arguably the single best thing you can do for your eyes (as well as your heart, lungs, kidneys, dental health, etc.).
Keeping your blood pressure at or below 115/75 mm Hg will greatly reduce the risk of losing vision to diabetes.
Learn more about managing blood pressure.
Before you leave the hospital, make sure you have in writing what your medicines and doses should be when you arrive home. If some of the medicines you were taking before hospitalization are not on the list of medicines to take after, ask why. Also, ask your usual pharmacist to check your new combination of medicines for potential drug interactions or anything that you may be allergic to.
Learn more about ensuring a successful hospital stay.
People meeting their diabetes treatment goals should have an A1C (HbA1c) test at least twice a year, and those whose therapy has changed or who are not meeting their goals should be tested four times a year.
Learn more about A1C.
If you think your blood glucose level is low, address the problem promptly. Stop what you’re doing, check your blood glucose level with your meter, and have a snack if necessary, even if you have to stop your car or interrupt a conversation to do it. If you don’t have your meter with you or can’t use it for any reason, go ahead and treat your symptoms of hypoglycemia without checking your blood glucose level first.
Learn more about hypoglycemia.