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Main > Specialty Areas > Endocrinology >
Better Diabetes Care
An individual with diabetes can, in general, lead a normal, healthy, and long life. Looking after yourself and learning about your diabetes provide the best chance to do this. Your doctor and the other members of the health-care team (made up of doctors, nurses, dietitians, and chiropodists) are there to advise you and to provide the information, support, and technology for you to look after yourself and live your life in the way you choose. It is important for you to know what your health-care providers should provide to help you reach these goals and what you should do.
The health-care team should provide:
A treatment plan and self-care targets
Regular checks of blood sugar (glucose) levels and of your physical condition
Treatment for special problems and emergencies
Continuing education for you and your family
Information on available social and economic support
Your role is to build this advice into your daily life and to be in control of your diabetes on a day-to-day basis.
You should be equipped with:
Personalized advice on proper eating -- types of food, amounts, and timing of meals
Advice on physical activity
Your dose and timing of tablets or insulin and how to take them; advice on how to change doses based on your self-monitoring
Your target values for blood glucose, blood fats, blood pressure, and weight
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| Random Useful Tip: |
Epinephrine shot If you are known to have a severe anaphylactic reaction, carry an epinephrine (adrenaline) shot with you at all times. Pay attention to expiration date and replace it regularly: upon expiration, it loses its effectiveness. |
| Random Drug Info: |
Levothyroxine Levothyroxine is a pure synthetic form of T4 hormone that is made in a laboratory to be an exact replacement for the T4 that the human thyroid gland normally secretes. It comes in multiple strengths, which means that an appropriate dosage can almost always be found for each patient. |
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