This series of three videos shares basic information regarding taking care of your diabetes.  

Setting SMART Goals: SMART goals, a technique for effective diabetes management, are specific, meaningful, adaptable, reasonable, and time-bound.  Using the SMART acronym, a broad goal like “spend more time walking” can be transformed into a specific, achievable plan.  By incorporating flexibility, reasonableness, and a clear timeline, smart goals can be easily integrated into daily life and help manage diabetes effectively.

Diabetes Basics: Diabetes is a chronic disease characterized by high blood glucose levels, resulting from the body’s inability to produce or effectively use insulin. There are various types of diabetes, including type 1, type 2, gestational, and maternally inherited diabetes and deafness (MIDD). Understanding the physiology of diabetes and its impact on the body is crucial for effective management and treatment.

Diabetes Complications: Diabetes can lead to various complications, including cardiovascular disease, neuropathy, foot ulcers, retinopathy, and nephropathy. Managing diabetes through regular health appointments, monitoring ABCs (A1C, blood pressure, and cholesterol), and lifestyle changes can help prevent or delay these complications.  It is crucial to schedule annual exams, including dilated eye exams, dental exams, foot exams, and nephropathy tests, to manage diabetes effectively.