Have You Reached Your Personal A1C Goal? Talk to your doctor today about setting and attaining an A1C goal that is right for you!
Welcome to Blood Sugar Basics: Get to Your Goals! Recognizing that blood sugar control is a crucial, yet challenging part of living with diabetes, this educational program was developed by the American College of Endocrinology (ACE) with support from Merck to provide people living with type 2 diabetes with a simple step-by-step plan that includes three “missions” to help them work with their doctors to reach their blood sugar goals:
MISSION #1
MISSION #2
MISSION #3
GATHER INTELLIGENCE
FINALIZE STRATEGY
REGROUP
Get Organized & Talk to Your Doctor
Set Goals & Commit to a Plan
Check In With Your Doctor & Assess Your Progress
Visit BloodSugarBasics.com today to accept these missions and learn more about how you can get to your goals! “My patients are looking for information that is easy to understand and tools to help make managing their condition easier on a day-to-day basis. That’s why I refer them to BloodSugarBasics.com, where I know they can find a wide range of information to help increase their knowledge about the importance of setting and attaining their blood sugar goals.” – Etie Moghissi, MD, FACP, FACE
WHAT IS A1C AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? The A1C test is a simple blood test taken at your doctor’s office, which shows your average blood sugar over the last 2 to 3 months. It’s crucial in helping your doctor determine the appropriate diabetes treatment plan or whether your current treatment plan needs to change. The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists’ (AACE) guidelines recommend that you get an A1C test 2 to 4 times a year. For many people with diabetes, AACE recommends an A1C of 6.5 percent or less, but some people may need a higher A1C, so it’s important to ask your doctor what A1C goal is right for you. With nearly half of diabetes patients not at the AACE-recommended A1C of less than 6.5%, it is essential that you know your A1C and talk with your doctor about developing a plan to attain your own A1C goal. Doing so can help you reduce your risk of developing serious complications such as:
HEART DISEASE
BLINDNESS
GUM DISEASE
KIDNEY DISEASE
THE THREE PILLARS OF DIABETES MANAGEMENT:
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
STROKE
Make sure to also work with your doctor to set individual goals for the ABCs of diabetes: A IS FOR A1C
A diabetes management plan that fits your personal needs plays a key role in helping you reach your goals. The three main “pillars” of most treatment plans include:
HEALTHY EATING
NERVOUS SYSTEM PROBLEMS
B IS FOR BLOOD PRESSURE
C IS FOR CHOLESTEROL
Diabetes is a progressive disease and sometimes changes in medication may be needed. If your doctor decides it is time to change your medication, it may not mean you haven’t tried hard enough – many people need to adjust their treatment plan over time to help them reach their blood sugar goals.
TAKING MEDICINE, WHEN PRESCRIBED
QUICK QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR DOCTOR Be sure to consult with your doctor before making any changes to your diabetes management plan. By asking your doctor these key questions, you can learn more about blood sugar management and set goals together to better manage your blood sugar:
What is my A1C?
What should my A1C goal be?
How often and when should I check my blood sugar? What should my goals be?
What is the difference between high and low blood sugar symptoms?
How does my meal plan, physical activity or medication affect my blood sugar?
Do I need to make any changes to my overall treatment plan?
MONITOR YOUR HIGHS AND LOWS A main goal of type 2 diabetes management is to keep blood sugar levels under control on a daily basis, so you can reach the personal A1C goal you have established with your doctor and help reduce your risk of developing serious long-term complications.
HIGH BLOOD SUGAR High blood sugar, called hyperglycemia, is one of the defining characteristics of diabetes. When people are diagnosed with diabetes, it means their blood sugar has been high, usually for a long period of time. High blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes can be caused by the following:
EATING MORE THAN USUAL
LOW BLOOD SUGAR Most people with diabetes are aware of the importance of controlling high blood sugar, but it’s also essential for patients to understand why blood sugar can sometimes go too low. You may experience low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) from time to time and some people with diabetes may experience low blood sugar without realizing it.
LOW BLOOD SUGAR CAN BE CAUSED BY: DECREASED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY NOT TAKING YOUR PRESCRIBED MEDICINE
EATING LESS OR LATER THAN USUAL
INCREASED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY STRESS FROM ANY ILLNESS, INCLUDING COLD OR FLU CERTAIN DIABETES MEDICATIONS EMOTIONAL STRESS, SUCH AS FAMILY CONFLICTS Over time, high blood sugar levels can lead to serious health problems, so if you are experiencing episodes of high blood sugar, you should speak with your doctor about ways to help reduce the risk of future episodes, including regular blood sugar monitoring and making potential adjustments to your treatment plan.
When blood sugar drops too low, people with diabetes may feel sweaty, dizzy, hungry and shaky. If your blood sugar is low, eat or drink something that will raise it quickly such as 1/2 cup fruit juice, hard candy, 1 tablespoon of sugar or 3 glucose tablets. Ask your doctor what you should do if you have symptoms. Keeping track of your blood sugar levels will help you and your doctor determine if you need to change your diabetes management plan to help you reach your blood sugar goals.
MEET AWARD-WINNING ACTOR AND TYPE 2 DIABETES PATIENT
S. EPATHA MERKERSON
Eleven years ago, I got an important wake-up call. At the time, I had put on a lot of weight, I wasn’t exercising and I wasn’t paying attention to my diet. After having my blood sugar tested at a health fair event, I found out my blood sugar level was high and scheduled an appointment with my doctor right away. Sure enough, I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Despite having a family history of the disease, I was totally unaware I had the condition. Following my diagnosis, I learned the importance of knowing my A1C and I spoke to my doctor about setting my A1C goal. We also worked together to create a treatment plan that fit my needs, including diet, exercise and medication, to help me reach that goal. Throughout my treatment, my doctor has helped me to understand that diabetes is a progressive disease, so sometimes, despite your best efforts, your doctor may need to change your management plan to help you meet your A1C goal.
“I lost my father and grandmother to complications of type 2 diabetes, so I learned firsthand how important it is to know your A1C and make a commitment to getting to your goal. I’m excited to be helping other people with the condition learn about proper blood sugar management and inspire them to achieve their own blood sugar goals.” - S. Epatha Merkerson
By committing to the diabetes management plan established with your doctor, you can begin to help control your blood sugar and make progress towards your A1C goal. Healthy habits take time to develop, and sometimes changes to your treatment plan are necessary over time, so don’t get discouraged if you don’t reach your A1C goal on your first try. Give yourself credit for the work you’re doing to learn more about type 2 diabetes and taking an active role in managing your blood sugar! Visit www.BloodSugarBasics.com to learn more.
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