It’s never too early or too late to start living a healthier, happier life. We can help! Check out these healthy lifestyle tips for living with diabetes.

Healthy Lifestyle Tips

1.) Closely monitor your blood sugars. If you are not on CGMS, check your blood glucose at least four times per day. In order to avoid acute complications of hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia, you must check often.

2.) Remember how to interpret your readings so you can act accordingly. If your blood glucose is less than 70 mg/dl, you are hypoglycemic and must treat immediately. This situation is a medical emergency. Follow your 15:15 Rule – 15 grams of carbohydrate (3-4 glucose tablets, 1/2 cup juice) and check your glucose again after 15 minutes. If you are still below 70 mg/dl, repeat 15:15 Rule. If you are above 70 mg/dl, do nothing. Ask your healthcare provider to prescribe a glucagon emergency kit for you as well.

3.) If you have two unexplained glucose readings above 240 mg/dl, change your pump infusion site and take a correction injection as specified by your healthcare provider. Check urine or blood for ketones. If ketones are present, contact your healthcare provider immediately and drink plenty of sugar-free fluids and water to flush the ketones out of your body.

4.) Store your diabetes supplies in a cool, dry area. Supplies include: CGM sensors, blood glucose test strips, blood glucose meter, pump supplies, insulin, insulin syringe and a source of carbohydrate for treating hypoglycemia. Your sensors, blood glucose test strips and insulin are not designed to be stored in a car.

5.) When you prepare your infusion site, make sure it sticks. There are a variety of skin preps and special tapes that can be used to help keep sensors and infusion sets in place. Ask your patient advocate rep for suggestions.

6.) Use your temporary basal rate feature. You may need to set a temporary rate on your pump to prevent exercise-induced hypoglycemia while swimming, biking, hiking, walking, playing and running. Contact your healthcare professional for instruction on decreases in rates.

7.) When flying, make sure you diabetes supplies are in your carry-on baggage. Never put your diabetes supplies with your checked baggage. Have your physician write you a letter stating you have diabetes and carry at least twice the supplies you think you need.

8.) Wear a medic alert identification. You can get yours though the American Diabetes Association, James Avery or any local pharmacy or Walmart.

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