Living Well with Diabetes: A Practical Guide

Diabetes is a chronic condition that requires ongoing management, but with the right approach, you can live a full, healthy life. ## Understanding Your Numbers - **Fasting blood sugar**: 80-130 mg/dL (target) - **Post-meal**: Less than 180 mg/dL - **HbA1c**: Less than 7% for most adults ## Lifestyle Management 1. **Diet**: Focus on low glycemic foods, controlled portions 2. **Exercise**: 30 minutes daily, most days of the week 3. **Monitoring**: Regular blood sugar checks 4. **Medications**: Take as prescribed 5. **Check-ups**: Regular visits to your healthcare team ## Preventing Complications - Annual eye exams - Regular foot care - Kidney function tests - Blood pressure monitoring - Cholesterol management ## When to Seek Help - Blood sugar consistently above or below target - Signs of infection - Numbness or tingling in feet - Vision changes