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Preventing Diabetes Complications

A healthy lifestyle is your road map for managing diabetes, which is the key to preventing or delaying complications:

  • Follow a healthy eating plan.
  • Be physically active for at least 150 minutes a week (just 30 minutes, 5 days a week).
  • Manage your ABCs:
  • A: Get a regular A1C test to measure your average blood sugar over 2 to 3 months; aim to stay in your target range as much as possible.
  • B: Try to keep your blood pressure below 140/90 mm Hg (or the target your doctor sets).
  • C: Control your cholesterol levels.
  • s: Stop smoking or don’t start.
  • Lose weight if you’re overweight
  • Just a 5% to 7% weight loss lowers the risk for complications. That’s 10 to 14 pounds for someone who weighs 200 pounds.
  • Take medicines as instructed, and talk to your doctor if you have questions about or problems with your medicine.
  • Make and keep appointments with your health care team (primary care doctor, dentist, foot doctor, eye doctor, and dietitian).

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