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DIABETES

ADVISOR

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Five Ways to Take Control of Your Blood Glucose Pg. 2

Stir-Fried Snow Peas Pg. 3

Spring Party Planning Pg. 3

Lab Work Consent Pg. 3

Recipe Revisions Pg. 3

Are You Protected Against Pneumonia? Pg. 4

When you have diabetes, it’s important to know your blood sugar numbers. Keeping your

glucose (blood sugar) close to normal helps prevent serious complications like kidney, eye and nerve problems.

There are two different ways to measure your blood sugar level: daily blood glucose checks and hemoglobin A1C (pronounced A-one-C). Together, these tests give your healthcare team a complete picture of your blood glucose control.

Daily Blood Glucose Checks

Daily blood glucose checks are the blood glucose checks you perform yourself.

Self-TestingBloodGlucoseGoals

KnowYourNumbers

Diabetes Advisor is just one of the ways Blue Cross is here to help.

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INhEAlTh

Your Diabetic Disease Management Program Newsletter

Spring 2008

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Coming down with pneumonia or flu can be extra risky for people with diabetes. In fact, it’s estimated that those with diabetes are about three times more likely to die as a result of pneumonia or flu than the average person. The good news is that vaccination can protect you from these diseases.

A pneumonia vaccination can protect you against pneumonia as well as other infections caused by the same bacteria. A pneumonia shot is recommended for anyone aged 2 or older with a chronic health condition such as diabetes.

You can get the shot any time of the year. For most people, one shot lasts a lifetime, but if you are under 65 and have a chronic illness or a weakened immune system, you may need another shot five to 10 years after the first one.

You should also make sure to get a flu shot each year. The best time to get a flu shot is in the fall, so mark your calendar now with a reminder and talk with your doctor to determine if pneumonia and flu shots are right for you.

Source: American Diabetes Association

Pneumonia Facts

• 1 out of 20 adults who get pneumonia (a lung infection) dies

• 2 out of 10 adults who get an infection of the blood (bacteremia) die

• 3 out of 10 adults who get an infection of the covering of the brain (meningitis) die

• About 10,000 people die each year because of these bacterial infections

• A pneumonia shot is about 60 percent effective in preventing the most serious cases of pneumonia, meningitis and bacteremia

When checked Goal

Before meals 90-130

1 to 2 hours after meals less than 180

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Are You Protected Against Pneumonia?

Know Your Numbers(continued)

Stir-FriedSnowPeas

Spring Party PlanningWe enjoy great food in Louisiana, and it seems like it gets even better as we move into spring crawfish season and summer barbecues. With so many family gatherings and shopping trips often centered around food, weight gain can seem unavoidable. But you can prevent those extra pounds – and elevated blood sugar levels – by watching portion sizes and planning ahead.

SchedulesThink about what your family’s schedule will be like on spring and summer holidays such as Memorial Day weekend. Are you going out of town? Are visitors staying with you? Do your plans include parties and food-oriented events? Knowing what to anticipate will help you tackle each day.

MenusThere’s no need to completely rework your menu just because of diabetes, but some fine-tuning may be necessary. With some simple changes, you can keep your traditional party foods. Try fat-free or light sour cream in casseroles instead of regular. Or steam green beans with fresh herbs or seasonings rather than sautéing them in butter.

Talk with your diabetes educator or dietitian about more ways to work your family’s favorite treats into your meal plan. It may mean eating less of other treats, getting more exercise, increasing insulin doses or a combination of all three. But you can do it!

Recipe Revisions

Ingredients2 sprays of nonstick cooking spray¾ pound fresh snow peas, trimmed¼ cup green onions, chopped2 ounces pimento, drained1 tablespoon sherry vinegar

1. Spray wok or nonstick skillet lightly with cooking spray. Stir-fry the snow peas and green onion over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, for two minutes.

2. Add the pimentos and sherry and stir-fry one more minute. The snow peas should be bright and crisp. Serve hot.

Number of servings: 4

Exchanges per serving: 1 vegetable

Nutrition Information Per Serving: Calories 39 (calories from fat 2), total fat 0g (saturated fat 0g), cholesterol 0 mg, sodium 4 mg, total carbohydrate 7g (dietary fiber 2g, sugars 4g), protein 3g

Source: www.diabetics.org

Level of control A1C number

Normal 6 or less

Goal less than 7

Take action7 or more

or above your goal

1.Ask your healthcare team what you need to do to reach your A1C goal.

2. Check your blood sugar as often as prescribed and review the results at each doctor visit.

3. Eat the right foods in the right amounts.

4. Get regular physical activity.

5. Take medicines as prescribed.

FiveWaystoTakeControlofYourBloodGlucose

Follow these tips to make your favorite dessert recipes healthier without sacrificing taste!

• Cut the sugar by one-third to one-half and increase the use of cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla or other sweet-tasting spices and flavorings.

• Replace fat in recipes for chocolate brownies, cakes or cookies with applesauce or pureed prunes – just remember to keep portions small, because fruit increases the carbohydrate content.

• Try sugar substitutes.

Lab Work ConsentYour Diabetes Disease Management Program nurse is here to help you. You can help your nurse help you by leaving written consent in your doctor’s medical record allowing your nurse to access your latest lab results. These lab values let your nurse know whether you need additional information or education, especially for lab results that may be abnormal. If you have any questions, please contact your Disease Management nurse.

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hemoglobinA1CAlso known as HgbA1C, this test reflects your average blood glucose level over the last three months. Hemoglobin is found inside red blood cells and carries oxygen from the lungs to all the body’s cells. It links to sugars such as glucose. With uncontrolled diabetes, there is too much sugar in the bloodstream, and the extra glucose enters the red blood cells and binds with the hemoglobin molecules or red blood cells. When you have excess glucose in your blood, your hemoglobin A1C will be higher.

To test hemoglobin A1C, your healthcare provider will take a small blood sample. The test will show if your blood glucose levels have been close to normal or too high over the last three months. And it will help your healthcare team determine how well your treatment plan is working over time.

Be sure to have your hemoglobin A1C levels tested at least twice a year.

WhatisagoodA1Cgoal? If your number is 7 or more or above your goal, ask your healthcare team about changing your treatment plan to bring your A1C number down.

howdobloodglucoseself-testingresultscomparewithA1Ctestresults?The higher your self-testing numbers are over a three-month period, the higher your A1C result is going to be. The following chart from the American Diabetes Association shows how your blood glucose testing results are likely to match up with your A1C results.

Sources: National Institutes of Health, Diabetes Education Program and American Diabetes Association

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A1C Level Average self-test glucose numbers

12 345

11 310

10 275

9 240

8 205

7 170

6 135

Please refer to your Certificate of Coverage for a complete list of benefits, including specific exclusions and limitations and member cost-sharing amounts, such as deductible, copayment and/or coinsurance, for which you are responsible.

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