Simple Steps for Managing Diabetes

With appropriate medical care and self-management of blood sugar (glucose) levels, you can lead a healthy and productive life. Managing your diabetes has many benefits such as increased energy, less thirst or need to urinate, better healing, and fewer skin or bladder infections.

By managing your diabetes, you also decrease your risk of heart attack or stroke, eye problems that lead to trouble seeing or blindness, and nerve damage in your hands and feet, not to mention potential kidney issues and dental concerns with your teeth and gums. 

Know the signs of diabetes

• Unexplained weight loss

• Excessive hunger or thirst

• Excessive sleepiness or tiredness 

• Irritability 

• Blurred vision or trouble seeing 

• Frequent urination 

• Frequent infections 

• Cuts or bruises that are slow to heal 

• Numbness or tingling in the hands and feet 

Tips for managing diabetes

1. Know what type of diabetes you have and learn as much as you can about it. 
    
2. Eat well. Talk to your healthcare team about what meal plan is best for you. 
    
3. Be active most days of the week.
    
4. Get routine care. Know your blood pressure, A1C, and cholesterol levels. 

PHP wants to help! 

• Blood glucose monitor – We understand the importance of blood glucose testing. That’s why we want you to choose the best meter for you. PHP members have the opportunity to upgrade their blood glucose monitoring system to a OneTouch® system, at no cost to you. Visit onetouch.orderpoints.com or call 1-888-908-4252 and use the order code 516GWH001. 
   
• Get PHP Fit! – We also offer an online wellness site for our members called Get PHP Fit! Below are a few diabetes resources members have access to use:
   
  • Wellness classes: Health education classes with presentations and follow up quizzes. Overall, there are 30 different health and wellness topics available and each class takes about 30-60 minutes to complete. Check out the Prediabetes or Type 2 Diabetes class as a great start.
     
  • Wellness videos: The Diabetes Basics and Diabesity and How Fast Food is Medicine are just two examples of the wellness videos to view. 
     
  • EatingWell Recipes: Nutrition platform that has healthy recipes, meal plans, specific diet plans, and so much more! 
     
  • Health risk assessment: A confidential report that provides information on identified risk factors, as well as recommended wellness classes and/or videos based on health risks. 

Be your own health advocate and start managing your diabetes today! You can also find additional information from the American Diabetes Association.