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Diabetes Home Care

Home care for diabetes includes:

Nutritional counseling from a registered dietician
Avoid alcohol, or drink alcohol in moderation:

For men: no more than 2 alcoholic beverages per day
For women: no more than 1 alcoholic beverage per day

Stop smoking.
Avoid exposure to secondary smoke.
Keep a diabetes diary:

Check your blood sugar every day.
Keep a log of your results.

Follow an exercise plan developed with your doctor.
Follow your diabetes diet.
If you have high blood pressure:

Learn how to take your blood pressure.
Check your blood pressure every day.

Maintain good oral hygiene:

Brush your teeth after meals and at bedtime.
Floss your teeth every day.
Gargle with dilute saltwater three times per day.

See your dentist every 6 months.
Examine your feet every day:

Report injuries to your doctor.

Weight loss if you are overweight
Take prescription medications as directed.
Patients with kidney impairment should be advised to avoid nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, aspirin, and other medications that are metabolized by the kidney. Acetaminophen can be used for pain and fever control because it is not metabolized by the kidneys.
Wear a Medic Alert bracelet at all times.

For more information:

Continue to Diabetes Home Care: Diet

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Last Updated: Jun 8, 2009 References

Authors: Stephen J. Schueler, MD; John H. Beckett, MD; D. Scott Gettings, MD

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