November is National Diabetes Month, a time when communities across the country team up to bring attention to diabetes. This year’s focus is on managing diabetes by building your health care team.
Diabetes is a disease that occurs when your blood glucose, also called blood sugar, is too high. It affects about 37 million Americans, including adults and youth. Diabetes can damage the eyes, kidneys, nerves, and heart, and is linked to some types of cancer.
Working with health care professionals who can offer you the personal care you need may help improve your health. And while it takes a team to manage diabetes, remember that you are the most important participant in your diabetes care.
You are the center of your care
Learn as much as you can about your disease and talk with your Promise care provider about how you can get the support you need to meet your goals.
Manage diabetes as early as possible
Take steps to improve your health. Talk with your Promise care provider about how you can manage your diabetes, and create a diabetes care plan.
Build your diabetes health care team
A team of health care professionals can tailor your care for your specific needs. Besides a Promise care provider, your team may include a pop health, health coach.
Start with small changes to create healthy habits
Work with your Promise health coach to establish and create a plan for small changes. Create goals to make yourself successful.
Make physical activity & healthy eating part of your day
Set a goal and try to be active most days of the week and follow a diabetes meal plan. Choose fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, tofu, beans, seeds, and non-fat or low-fat milk and cheese.