Diabetes control essential to health

By Staff
Oct. 21, 2001
National Diabetes Month will be recognized in November and Nov. 4-10 is diabetes education week. The Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi and the Mississippi Association of Diabetes Educators want everyone with diabetes to learn that good control means good health.
Diabetes is a common, costly, serious but controllable disease if you know how to take care of yourself. Keeping blood sugar in control has been shown to prevent or delay needless diabetic complications, but staying in control requires a lifetime of learning. It takes time and support.
Experts in the field encourage people with diabetes to learn their individual target goals for the ABC's of Care:
A Alc (a test done every 3-4 months to measure blood sugar over the past 3-4 months): Recommended goal is less than 7 percent.
B Blood pressure: Recommended goal is 130/80 or less.
C Cholesterol levels: Recommended levels include LDL, less than 100; HDL, over 45 for men and over 55 for women; and triglycerides, less than 200.
People with diabetes should take special care to monitor their conditions. For more information, call the Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi at (601) 957-7878.