Diabetes - 2 - Condition & Symptoms

Possible Action Steps

Discuss the target ranges for healthy diabetes numbers. Have individual compare target ranges with actual numbers for blood glucose (if monitoring), blood pressure, A1c, BMI, weight, waist measurement and cholesterol.
Together, review individual's risk factors for type 2 diabetes. Circle the factors that would be easiest to change. Underline the factors that would be hardest to change.
Discuss the more serious health consequences of long-term, poorly managed diabetes
Discuss the importance of using more than one strategy to track and test blood glucose levels - using a blood glucose monitor (for daily levels0 and the A1c test for average blood glucose level over a month-long period of time.
Discuss how to track blood glucose levels using a blood glucose monitor and the A1c test
Discuss how smoking and other tobacco products contribute to making diabetes worse. Identify a small step change (e.g., fewer cigarettes per day and put an achievable plan to work).
Discuss why being overweight (too many food calories plus inactivity) contributes to poorly controlled diabetes

Supporting Resources

Possible Action Steps

Discuss common diabetes-related feet, eye, and oral health (teeth/gum) issues
Have the individual list their risk factors for type 2 diabetes
Together, identify a very small step to pursue - make an appointment for an annual diabetic eye exam, brush teeth twice daily for at least three days in the upcoming week, smoke 3 fewer cigarettes each day for one week, check feet once a week for sores/ulcers that are not healing

Supporting Resources

Possible Action Steps

BG Monitoring
- Encourage individual to get a home blood glucose monitoring device and to learn how to use it. Discuss the key feature of a home monitoring device
- Together put a plan in place to measure blood glucose level at least 4 or 5 times per week (assumes prescribed multiple times per day). Suggest and have individual track blood glucose level results using a tracking tool
Symptom Awareness
- Discuss how to identify symptoms of diabetes and learn when you should call a doctor
- Encourage individual to take notice and track symptoms related to diabetes using the symptom diary
- Work with individual to prepare questions for their provider and to be prepared to answer provider's questions about symptoms
Weight Awareness
- Discuss how to properly measure weight, BMI, and waist circumference
- Help the individual compare their weight to what would be ideal, and discuss opportunities to gradually work toward their ideal weight target
- Have individual check weight at least one time per week

Supporting Resources

Possible Action Steps

Encourage individual to pay attention to the relationship between behavior and symptoms and health. Identify behaviors that improve health and give a feeling of well being.
Discuss paying attention to the timing of meals, snacks, medication, and activity. Encourage individual to notice how food, medication and activity are all linked and important to control blood glucose levels over time.
Together, identify opportunities for improvement in diabetes-related behaviors with an emphasis on medication taking and diet/nutrition

Supporting Resources