Susan Sorensen

As my deadline for this article approached, I was thinking about what the topic would be this month. Then the April 2010 issue of Diabetes Forecast arrived in the mail and printed in bold letters was "Getting Back to Basics."

I knew the dilemma was solved.

A diagnosis of diabetes can be overwhelming and frequently I have seen that "deer in the headlight" stare from patients when starting a session of diabetes education. This month, the topic will be how you can take control of your diabetes rather than have your diabetes control you.



5-pointed star

Using a five-pointed star, the five aspects of diabetes are blood glucose testing, activity, medications, support of family and nutrition.

Let's look at each of these components to clarify how to live a healthy life with diabetes.

_ Home glucose testing allows you to test your blood at home to see firsthand the impact of food and exercise on your glucose level. Eating food increases your glucose level and activity decreases the glucose level.

According to the American Diabetes Association, the goal for a fasting glucose (nothing to eat for at least six hours) is 70-100mg/dl and two hours after eating a reading of less than 140mg/dl.

Since the monitors require a very small sample of blood, wash your hands in warm soapy water before testing to ensure accurate results.

_ Daily activity is the second point of the star that everyone should strive to achieve. Whether it is called "let's move" or "play 60," activity is critical to help you control your glucose levels.

Research supports that 60 minutes of daily activity is preferred, so get moving. Notice that I mentioned daily; if you eat, you must exercise on that day. For time management, you may divide it into smaller segments but you must move to protect your health!

_ Medications may not be prescribed but if you are taking diabetes medications, you must remember to take them as prescribed to get the best results. It may be helpful to use a seven-day medication dispenser to ensure that you don't forget a dose since the medication does not do any good if it is left in the bottle.

_ Support of your family is an aspect that is crucial and often overlooked.

If you do not have family in the area, you are welcome to attend the free diabetes support group that meets at the Sequim Senior Activity Center from 10-11 a.m. on the first Wednesday of the month. You will find a group of supportive friends that can share how they successfully have met the challenges of diabetes.

_ The last area, that often is the most challenging, is balanced nutrition. A diagnosis of diabetes no longer translates to bland and tasteless food. If everyone ate like someone who has diabetes is supposed to eat, we would not have the health issues of today.

By selecting whole fruits, a variety of vegetables and lean protein, you can ensure that you provide your body with the nutrition that it needs and still feel satisfied. Portion sizes have increased in recent years so attempt to fill half of your plate with nonstarchy vegetables, one-quarter with a deck-of-cards-size portion of protein and the remaining one-quarter with a whole grain.

For ongoing meal ideas, look at the American Diabetes Association Web site at www.diabetes.org. Take control of your diabetes to ensure yourself a long and healthy life.



Susan Sorensen is a registered nurse who does diabetes education in the community. She can be reached at www.

starladydiabetes.com.