The management of diabetes is so important for diabetics to understand. For a newly diagnosed diabetic, any management plan can be overwhelming at first, but it is a vital means of controlling this disease as well as preventing complications.

The main items that need to be managed are:

• Glucose level monitoring
• Diet
• Weight control
• Exercise
• Regular medications and insulin injections
• Foot care
• Skincare
• Teeth and mouth hygiene
• Regular visits to dentist
• Regular visits to eye doctor
• Regular checkups with primary doctor
• Lab work as ordered by primary doctor

This is when diabetics need to make a life time commitment to doing what is necessary to control diabetes. All of these factors are interconnected. And in the case of Type 2 diabetes, it can be totally controlled in some cases with diet and exercise.

Glucose monitoring

The home monitoring of glucose levels needs to be done frequently using a glucometer. This is vital as this is the main way to know that your management plan is working.

Diet

The dietary requirements for both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are critical but for different reasons for both types. For Type 1 diabetes diet is necessary to be able to regulate your dosage of insulin therapy. For Type-2 diabetes diet is important to manage the blood glucose level as well as weight control.

Weight Control

Weight is a risk factor for Type 2 diabetes, so managing the weight is a critical factor for controlling blood glucose levels.

Exercise

Exercise is important in helping with weight control as well as helping any medication or insulin therapy to work more effectively.

Managing of Medication and Insulin Therapy

Daily medications and insulin need to be taken as instructed by your physician.

Foot and skin care

This is important as dry skin or problems with the feet are prone to infections and need to be monitored on a daily basis.

Tooth and Mouth Care

This is an important area to monitor as the mouth is a great place for infections. Daily a diabetic needs to brush teeth at least twice a day and floss daily.

Dental Visits

Regular visits every 6 months to the dentist are very important.

Eye Visits

Regular visits to the eye doctor need to be made twice each year. This should be a comprehensive exam including dilation of the eyes to check the blood vessels in the back of the eye.

Lab Tests

Any lab tests ordered by your primary doctor should be followed up on so that he is able to check on how well your management plan is working.

Checkups with Primary Doctor

It is important to have follow-up visits with your primary doctor so that he can determine how well your management plan is working and to discuss any lab tests. A yearly physical exam should be scheduled with this doctor as well so that he can check for any complications.

Managing all of these items is extremely important to keep up with. This section on "Diabetes Management" will cover the management of diabetes in more detail.

Learn More about Diabetes Management

	Diabetes Diet Management Most newly diagnosed diabetics will be referred to a diabetes educator for counseling on diabetes management and this is an important learning resource about choices of food that go well with...Read more...
	Type 1 Diabetes Management Those people with Type-1 diabetes need to monitor their blood glucose levels several times during the day. Blood levels should be monitored with a glucometer especially after meals as well as in the morning...Read more...
	Type 2 Diabetes Management Those who are diagnosed with Type-2 diabetes often have an overwhelming feeling in the beginning.  There is a lot to know and a lot to managing this chronic disease. This is a very unique disease mainly..Read more...
	Gestational Diabetes Management Women with gestational diabetes need to follow a carefully regulated meal plan. This involves having small but frequent meals and lots of water.  The diet should have three meals and three snacks daily...Read more...