Keeping Diabetes Under Control
What you need to know to manage diabetes for a healthier, happier life
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes occurs when blood sugar (blood glucose) levels are too high. Glucose comes from the foods we eat. Insulin (produced by the pancreas) is a hormone that helps get glucose into cells to produce energy. With type 1 diabetes, the pancreas does not make enough insulin to keep blood sugar levels normal. With type 2 diabetes, the body does not make or use insulin very well. Without enough insulin, glucose simply stays in the blood. Some women may also experience diabetes during pregnancy. This is called gestational diabetes. Individuals should also be aware of prediabetes, which means that glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be called diabetes.
Essential diabetes tests and screenings
HbA1c test. This blood test measures the average blood sugar levels from the previous two or three months. It lets your doctor know how well your blood sugar is being controlled.
How often should this test be performed? At least twice a year.
Blood Pressure checks. Diabetes makes high blood pressure more likely. This will put you at an increased risk for a stroke or heart attack.
How often should this test be performed? At least every three months.
Cholesterol test. Having diabetes increases your risk for heart disease. For this reason, it’s important to have a blood test to check your cholesterol. LDL cholesterol is considered to be the “bad” cholesterol. It can cause your blood vessels to narrow.
How often should this test be performed? At least once a year, sometimes more.
Foot exam. Diabetes can cause the loss of feeling in your feet. This may happen because of the nerve damage that sometime occurs when blood sugar is out of control.
How often should this exam be performed? At least once a year, sometimes more.
Eye exam. Diabetes is a leading cause of permanent blindness. This exam is necessary to determine if high blood sugar has damaged the blood vessels in your eye or caused cataracts.
How often should this exam take place? At least once a year.
Kidney test. High blood sugar and high blood pressure are hard on your kidneys. When blood sugar stays high for too long it can damage the blood vessels in your kidneys. If your kidneys get damaged this way, protein can leak into the urine.
How often should this test take place? At least once a year.
Know your numbers
Talk with your provider
Learn ways to manage your diabetes with our diabetic educators, located in Paradise and Corning. Ask your provider if talking with a diabetic educator is right for you.
Call to Schedule an Appointment
- Feather River Health Center 5125 Skyway Paradise, CA 95969
- Corning Health Clinic 155 Solano Street Corning, CA 96021
Frequently asked questions
Does Medi-Cal cover diabetes testing?
Yes! All diabetes testing is covered.
How important is it to complete diabetes testing?
It is important to complete all diabetes tests/exams to make sure that blood sugar (glucose levels) are well controlled
What number do I call to set up an appointment or to ask questions?
Call us to make an appointment at one of our locations. Our phone number and address are on the back of this brochure.
