F is for foot care. Check your feet daily. If you have nerve disease and can't feel your feet, your feet can't tell you when something is wrong. Use a mirror to check your feet if needed.

How often: Remind your care provider to check them at every visit. Get an extensive foot exam once a year.  

G is for glucose (sugar) monitoring. If you take medication by mouth or no medication at all, check your blood sugar every other day and if you think your blood sugar is low (sweating, weak, confused). If you use insulin for blood sugar control you may check more often. Discuss how often with your physician. Blood sugar readings that can be used to adjust your medication is a fasting reading (8 hours since last meal...usually your first morning reading, before eating) and an evening reading, either right before your last meal or at bedtime.

Suggested target: Fasting Blood Sugar 90-130 mg/dl  

  After eating below 180 mg/dl 

*To control blood glucose levels, eat consistent amounts of carbohydrate at meals and eat at similar times of the day. Carbohydrates are among the healthiest foods choices.  

Resources: Seek the advise of our dieticians to learn how to carb count and make great food choices. An adult typically needs 3-5 carbohydrate servings (starches, fruits, milk or yogurt)

per meal. One serving is equal to 15g carbohydrates. That would equal between 45-75 carbohydrate grams per meal. Read your label to determine the carbohydrate amount in each serving amount. 

H is for staying healthy. For people with diabetes, getting the flu or pneumonia can lead to serious complications. Avoid them by getting vaccinated.

How often: Flu vaccine, every year

Pneumonvax, at least once (1) 

H is also for hypoglycemia. The “15-15” rule
Eat 15 grams of carbohydrates , wait 15 minutes, and 15 rule then test your blood glucose again to see if you are on your way up to a normal blood glucose level. If not, take a second dose of 15 grams and test again. You want to get safely up to 100 mg/dL. 15 grams of carbohydrates should bring up your blood glucose by about 50 mg/dL. It is often recommended that people use hard candies or glucose tablets, or drink some fruit juice. 15 grams of carbohydrates looks like this:

• 5-6 hard candies
• 3-4 glucose tablets
• ½ cup juice

I is for identifying special medical needs. Complications are complicated. As they occur, your doctor may need to send you to various specialists. Voicing your health concerns at every visit can help your doctor spot trouble and get any extra help you need quickly. 

P is for plan. Develop a personal diabetic treatment plan with your care team: primary care provider, nurses, physical activity specialist, behavioral health expert and dietician. This plan would include goals for your blood sugar reading, activity, and food choices. Set goals that are realistic, and reachable. (1) 

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