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Show follow-u- p as a visit, I had distinguished myself serious patient when I gave the doctor my graph. I was pleased to see that my Hemoglobin Ale had fallen from 7.0 to 6.2 and there was no detectable microalbuminuria. In addition, my cholesterol levels had improved and I had lost about IS pounds (I later found it I Hus was a good J important it is to find a way that fits wxir personality and to aggressively control glucose a 1 I S a levels. Managing type 2 diabetes involves About a wrar and a half ago, 1 finally dnckfod My doctor stressed the importance of knowing It was new sacral months down the road, so to get a physical exam after putting it off for years. I tried to get another visit with my doctor He had The doctor ran the normal battery of tests and mewed in die mean time, so I made when I returned the next week for the appointment with someone else who had been keeping it under control. She suggested that an 1 try visit, he noted that I probably had diabetes, to test every rooming at night, and sometimes before lundi She noted dial by doing this, I would specifically type 2. My blood glucose (sugar) was begin to understand how my own eatmg habits 165 and anylhmg above 126 is considered affected my glucose level follow-u- p aid see O I decided it L, behavior change, actually, a series of changes. It involves becoming educated about the disease what my glucose lew! was and aggressively diabetic He wanted me to lose some diabetes educator These are usually dietitians or nurses specially trained in managing diabetes. 1 still have to exercise more and change my Yhite was up to me to take control. rating habits, I have had a positive experience with what can be achieved. Tbh me good hick. control my diabetes with just diet and exercise. number or name, I knew that my easily. Therefore, I decided to graph my daily test State Department of Health Task farce baking for results and use my color printer to track progress. ways to increase 1 diabetic's use of appropriate This might seem odd to some people, but it was therapy via education, better payment end something personal that helped me keep interested expended benefits among fully insured end self in the project" funded health plans. if I could I 1 will remember it much more (Note: Mr. Kendrick is currently serving oa s Mr. Kendrick is 1 new member ol the Department of Health's Diabetes schedule diabetes educators from Bngham Young Advisory Board. He is also the president ef the aid Pninary Children s Hospital to Utah Association of Health Underwriters, an speak at a continuing education lunch for the association ef health egents and insurance llah professionals. Association of Health I'nderwnters. Their convincing presentation further stimulated me to find out more about diabetes. In three months when 1 returned for a Mr. Kendrick works full time for First Security Corporation in the Cost Control Advocates division which administers Section 125 flexible spending occounts.) 9 Diabetes Management Plan Guidelines Lynden Kendrick shows off his color charts used to control his diabetes. recommended to me. that father controlled his type 2 diabetes just by changing his dirt when he was in his 60s and 70s, so 1 figured maybe I could, too. I I w I My new doctor quickly saw had to make some changes. She prescribed a rigorous program that included taking oral medication twice a day to as wrong Fortunately, my doctor wrote out a prescription to see a certified diabetes educator located at Salt start, plus a high blood pressure pill Although my lake Regional high blood pressure pills had been shown to help Medical Center Unfortunately, I postponed going in for a tog time. When I finally blood pressure was close to normal certain types of keep the protein leakage under control in die set up an appointment, I learned how serious the kidneys. This condition is called microalbuminuria, complications could be if 1 didn't get control of the and new stinks reveal that it should be controlled glucose lewis. early on in the progress of diabetes. Utah Last December I had the good fortune to 1niwrsjty I and committing to some changes. One of die best wavs to accomplish this b to work with a certified I use a computer every day and am more visually oriented than most people If 1 write down a weight 4 again). lesson for me. I know how - Take your medicines in the amounts and at the times prescribed by your doctor. - Follow your n2e.1l plan. - Keep physically active. - Measure pur blood firprs and keep a record of them. - Take live records with you and discuss them with your doctor and diabetes educator. Practice stress management activities such as relaxation exercises or meditation. |