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.).

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.

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.

Even if you’re just going for a walk or a bike ride, pop a small bottle of water, a snack, some money and your basic diabetes supplies into a fanny pack.

People meeting their diabetes treatment goals should have an 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.

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.

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.

To help prevent athlete’s foot, it is always a good idea to wear slippers or shoes of some sort in public areas such as locker rooms or showers.

Engage in regular, weight-bearing physical activity, and consume adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D.

To treat hypoglycemia, chew and swallow four glucose tablets (containing about 4 grams of carbohydrate each) or drink about 5 ounces of orange juice or a regular (not diet) soft drink.

It is a good idea for anyone with diabetes to wear a medical identification bracelet indicating that he has diabetes, just in case he is ever unable to speak for himself.

Older, proven medicines are often — though not always — both cheaper and safer to use than brand-new ones. Ask your doctor what different options are available to treat your condition.

Avoid “natural” calcium supplements that contain calcium from coral, oyster shells, dolomite or bone meal, because these sources are more likely to be contaminated with lead and other dangerous substances.

If you need a calcium supplement to meet your calcium requirements, choose one that contains calcium citrate, calcium lactate or calcium carbonate.

Choose supplements that have the USP (United States Pharmacopeia) seal, showing they meet government guidelines for production and dissolution.

Talk to your doctor before starting any dietary or herbal supplements. He should be able advise you about whether the supplement is safe and effective, and whether it may interact with any other drugs you take.

At your first appointment, tell your doctor about any prescription or over-the-counter drugs you are taking. Bring a list of all of your medicines to your appointment, or bring the drugs themselves (in their original containers).

Filling all of your prescriptions at one pharmacy, if possible, can help your pharmacist catch any potential interactions between drugs you take. And when you refill your prescriptions, note whether your pills (or insulin) look different from those you normally take. If they do, check it out with your pharmacist.