For Patients
Managing diabetes can be challenging. Many patients closely follow their physician’s disease management recommendations and take their medications as directed.
Taking care of your diabetes
It’s important for you to understand why sticking to your treatment as prescribed is necessary.
Simply put, better adherence (taking your medicine as prescribed) usually means glycemic control.
Nonadherent patients with diabetes are far more likely to go to the hospital with diabetesrelated problems. They may also have higher health care costs.
There are many benefits of taking care of your diabetes every day.
Taking care of yourself means:
• Following your healthy eating plan
• Doing a physical activity every day
• Taking your medicines every day or as prescribed
• Checking your blood glucose levels
• Monitoring blood pressure
• Monitoring cholesterol levels
Because diabetes can damage nerves and blood vessels, following your treatment as prescribed is very important. Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to damage of the:
• Heart
• Eyes
• Kidneys
Studies show that you can reduce the risk of developing these diabetes-related problems by sticking to your diabetes routine. But, despite knowing this, adherence to diabetes routines is low.
NEXT PAGE: WHEN PATIENTS WITH DIABETES CAN NO LONGER TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES
