Tight control of your diabetes
Research shows that when people with diabetes practice tight control -- keep their blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible -- they lower their risk of eye, heart, kidney and nerve diseases.
The difference between tight and standard control
Standard control usually involves no more than two daily blood glucose tests. Tight control requires you to check your blood glucose more often and may require more medicine. If you take insulin, you decide what your next dose should be depending on your test readings.
Tight control also means you must work closely with your health care team to develop a plan for eating, exercise, and medicines that you can stick with.
Who should practice tight control?
Any adult with type 2 diabetes can benefit from tight control.
People with type 1 diabetes who do not fall into these categories may benefit:
Practicing tight control is challenging. Thinking positively can help. It's good to remember that the better you control your blood glucose, the better your chances are of avoiding a heart attack, kidney disease, vision problems, and nerve damage.
Help from your care team
Ask your doctor if you are a good candidate for tight control. If you are, and you decide to try it, your diabetes care team will help you to figure out…
- what your blood glucose level should be before and after meals
- how to adjust your insulin to your lifestyle -- the type of work you do, your level of activity, the food you eat and when you eat it
- how often you should meet with a dietitian to review what you eat
- how you should take care of your diabetes if you become pregnant
- what your family and friends should do if your blood glucose becomes so low that you need their help.
Dialog home page
Allina Medical Clinic - Diabetes Education Diabetes, endocrinology and metabolism specialists
Source: American Diabetes Association; The Diabetes Control and Complication Trial Research Group, The effect of intensive treatment of diabetes on the development and progression of long-term complications in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. New England Journal of Medicine 1993 Sep 30;329(14):977-986; National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Disorders
First published: 02/15/2000
Last updated: 07/15/2008
Reviewed by: Mary Frederick, RN, MS, CDE, diabetes program manager, Allina Medical Clinic
|