November is:
- American Diabetes Month
- Diabetic Eye Disease Month
- Foot Health Issues Related to Diabetes Awareness Month
Diabetes deserves all this attention because diabetes is a total body insult. Diabetes damages the nerves and blood vessels throughout your body. So it puts every part of you at risk, including your brain, your heart, your kidneys, your eyes and your feet.
Protecting your body from the ravages of diabetes is as simple as ABC:
A for the A1C test.
The A1C Test shows you what your blood glucose has been over the last three months. The A1C goal for most people is below 7. High blood glucose levels can damage your heart, kidneys, feet, and eyes.
B for Blood pressure.
The goal for most people is 130/80 or less.
If you blood pressure is too high, it increases your risk of heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease.
C for Cholesterol.
The LDL (bad cholesterol) goal for most people is less than 100.
The HDL (good cholesterol) goal for most people is above 40.
LDL or "bad" cholesterol can build up and clog your blood vessels. It can cause a heart attack or a stroke. HDL or "good" cholesterol helps unclog your blood vessels.
To control your ABCs, you must know your numbers.
- Ask your doctor what your A1C is.
- Ask your doctor what your blood pressure is.
- Ask your doctor what your cholesterol numbers are.
- Ask your doctor what your ABC numbers should be.
To control your ABCs, you must take action.
- Write down all your ABC numbers.
- Ask what you can do to reach your ABC goals.
- Take your medication as directed.
- Make the right lifestyle choices to achieve your ABC goals.
The content of this posting is based on information from the National Institutes of Health.
Share the health.
Deborah White, MD, MBA
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