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The goal of diabetes treatment
The main goal of diabetes treatment is to bring glucose, or sugar, levels down to as close to normal as is safely possible.
Most aspects of your treatment plan - measuring your glucose levels, taking diabetes pills or insulin shots, exercising, losing weight, eating a planned diet - are aimed at helping you achieve the glucose level that is right for you.
Why control glucose?
Keeping your glucose levels in control not only makes you feel better, it helps you avoid health problems that often go with diabetes.
- High glucose levels can lead to eye, nerve and kidney diseases.
- High glucose levels also can increase your susceptibility to infection, blur your vision or make you feel tired or thirsty all the time.
People with diabetes also are more likely to develop other health problems, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol and fat levels, and heart disease.
Your diabetes care team
In addition to your primary care physician, your diabetes care team may include an endocrinologist, an eye doctor (ophthalmologist), nurses and a dietitian.
Your doctor may send you to other specialists as well, such as a foot doctor (podiatrist), depending on what complications you have.
Read about Talking with your health care team.
Related Links
Diabetes care card (requires Adobe Reader)
"Dialog: Living with Diabetes" newsletter
Source: Health Online, Inc.
First published: 01/15/99
Last updated: 10/28/2005
Reviewed by: Paul Kleeberg, MD, medical director, Internet/Intranet Services, Allina Hospitals & Clinics