If you have diabetes, a minor foot injury, like a blister, can develop into an ulcer or serious infection. Infections of the feet can spread to the leg. Sometimes the infection is so severe that toes, the foot, or part of the leg must be removed by surgery (amputation). Amputations are done if the foot or leg can't be...
Learn how testing helps you make the connection between blood sugar levels and daily activities.
Keeping your blood sugar in a target range reduces your risk of problems from diabetes. These problems may include eye disease (retinopathy), kidney disease (nephropathy), and nerve disease (neuropathy). If you're pregnant, staying in a target range can also help prevent problems during pregnancy. Work with your doctor...
Learn how to use blood sugar testing to see how food or activity can change your blood sugar.
Learn how carbohydrate foods raise your blood sugar.
It's important to take care of your supplies so that you can test your blood sugar safely and get the most accurate results. Take care of your meter. Follow the care instructions from the manufacturer. Some meters need to be cleaned regularly and have their batteries changed now and then. Meters can be damaged if...
Caring for an older adult with diabetes may feel like a lot to take on. Caregiving can be challenging at times because what seems best for that person may not be what they want. You may worry about invading their privacy or free will. There's also the stress of learning how to manage diabetes and often other health...
Describes monitoring blood sugar levels in those with diabetes. Gives step-by-step instructions. Covers how to record testing results and how to prevent sore fingers.
When you have diabetes, you'll need to check your feet every day. Look at all areas of your feet, including between your toes. Use a handheld mirror or a magnifying mirror attached to the bathroom wall near the baseboard to inspect your feet. If you can't see well, have someone else use this checklist to examine your...
Cholesterol (or lipid) problems are common in diabetes. These problems are usually related to obesity and insulin resistance. They can also be related to lack of insulin in your body. Triglyceride blood levels are usually elevated. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) blood level is usually low. These abnormal triglyceride...
Discusses dealing with negative feelings that can interfere with your ability to follow your diet for diabetes. Provides ways to deal with negative feelings about your diet.
Discusses dealing with negative feelings that can interfere with your ability to follow your diet for diabetes. Provides ways to deal with negative feelings about your diet.
Learn what carbohydrates are and how to count them to help manage your diabetes.
Learn why counting carbs is important when you have diabetes, and get tips for how to count carbs and keep a balanced diet.
Learn why counting carbs is important when you have diabetes, and get tips for how to count carbs and keep a balanced diet.
Learn why counting carbs is important when you have diabetes, and get tips for how to count carbs and keep a balanced diet.
Learn why counting carbs is important when you have diabetes, and get tips for how to count carbs and keep a balanced diet.
Learn why counting carbs is important when you have diabetes, and get tips for how to count carbs and keep a balanced diet.
Learn why checking your feet daily when you have diabetes is important and how to do it.
If you take insulin or certain diabetes pills that lower blood sugar, your blood sugar may get too low at times. Low blood sugar can happen if you: Take too much diabetes medicine in a day, take your doses too close together, or take your full dose of medicine when you aren't going to eat your usual amount of food...
If you take insulin or certain diabetes pills that lower blood sugar, your blood sugar may get too low at times. Low blood sugar can happen if you: Take too much diabetes medicine in a day, take your doses too close together, or take your full dose of medicine when you aren't going to eat your usual amount of food...
There are many differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes. But in both types of diabetes, blood sugar levels get too high. This increases the risk for complications, such as blindness and kidney failure. For both diseases, treatment focuses on keeping blood sugar levels within a target range to help prevent...
Insulin is normally made by the pancreas, a gland behind the stomach. In people with diabetes, the pancreas no longer makes enough insulin or it stops making it. Without insulin, your blood sugar level rises to dangerous levels. When this happens, you need insulin shots to keep your blood sugar in your target range. You...
Offers step-by-step instructions for preparing and giving single-dose and mixed-dose insulin shots. Includes where on the body to give shots.
Even if you're careful and do all the right things, your child can have problems with low or high blood sugar. Teach your child to be aware of the symptoms and what to do if they occur. Symptoms of low blood sugar include: Sweating. Feeling weak and hungry. But your child's symptoms may be different. Low blood sugar...
Find out how exercise helps you control your blood sugar and helps you feel better in other ways too.
Hear how other people stay motivated to manage their diabetes.
Learn how testing your blood sugar can help you stay in your target range.
Learn how to build a healthy meal using the plate method to help manage your diabetes.
People with diabetes sometimes get very low blood sugar. If they are unconscious, they need glucagon right away. Glucagon is a hormone that raises blood sugar quickly. It can be given as a shot or as a powder that's sprayed into the nose. If someone close to you has diabetes, you may need to give them the glucagon shot...
