Diabetes is one of the country’s leading diseases, affecting one in 10 people in the U.S. However, by following a healthy diet and lifestyle, and receiving regular care, you can control diabetes before it affects your daily living.

What is diabetes

Diabetes affects your body’s ability to use sugar to give you energy and keep you healthy. Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas that regulates the amount of sugar in your blood, and without the right level of insulin, your body cannot function properly. But medication and self-care can help you lead a long and healthy life.

Controlling diabetes risk

Diabetes is a serious health condition that puts you at higher risk for developing additional problems that can affect your vision, kidneys, blood vessels, and nervous system.

Here’s how you can help manage the effects of diabetes and protect your health:
 

• Get tested – Regularly scheduled blood sugar (A1c) and cholesterol checks, kidney tests, foot and eye exams, and blood pressure screenings can help prevent or delay other health complications.
• Make it a routine – Exercising, maintaining a healthy diet, and taking your medication as prescribed are key factors when managing diabetes.
• Watch that tingling feeling – Tingling in your hands and feet is a possible sign of diabetes-related poor blood flow and nerve damage.
• Go easy on your eyes – Retinal eye exams can prevent the vision loss and blindness that diabetes sometimes causes.

How AltaMed can help

AltaMed offers several onsite services, such as blood sugar testing and retinal eye exams, and free health education classes. We also have clinical pharmacists at specified locations to help you manage your medications. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, call us at (888) 499-9303.