April
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What are the top two ways to take control of diabetes?
to make healthy choices?
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It’s important to learn as much as possible about diabetes and take advantage of all the available support, in order to optimize your overall health and reduce the risk of developing complications. The more you know and understand, the easier it will become to achieve your healthy living goals. Remember these top two ways to take control:
- Get support. Understand as much as possible about your own individual condition, including your target levels and medications.
- Get educated. Learn about diabetes management including healthy living and blood glucose management.
Your #1 source for information and support – the Diabetes Team
Your Diabetes Team has a wealth of resources to help you learn more about diabetes as a condition, together with general healthy living and monitoring guidelines. Importantly, they also have first-hand knowledge of your individual condition and of your targets and medications, and can help support you in achieving your goals.
Members of a Diabetes Team may include:
- Your family Doctor or health centre
- A diabetes educator
- A dietician
- Your Shoppers Drug Mart Pharmacist
- A diabetes specialist, such as an endocrinologist
You may also be referred to an optometrist for eye care and a podiatrist for foot care. If you are considered high risk for certain complications, you may also be referred to other specialists.
1. Get support
Take full advantage of the wide array of support that is available through your healthcare professionals.
Before you meet with a member of your Diabetes Team, you may find it a good idea to write out any questions you may have. Take your notes with you and refer to them during your discussion. This will help you make sure you come away from the visit with all the answers you need. Click here to learn more about the top 10 questions to ask your Doctor.
A Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) is also a great source of support. A CDE is a trained health care professional who can help you manage every aspect of your diabetes care. In addition to advising you on blood glucose monitoring, a CDE can help you select an appropriate meter, educate you about your diabetes medications, and provide individualized healthy eating and physical activity management plans. Shoppers Drug Mart has a large number of Pharmacists who have additional expertise in diabetes care and are certified as CDEs. Talk to your Shoppers Drug Mart Pharmacist about booking an appointment with one of our CDE Pharmacists.
If you don’t understand something about your diabetes care, keep asking questions until you are clear. For example, if you are prescribed a medication for the first time, make sure you ask your Shoppers Drug Mart Pharmacist what its purpose is and how and when you should take it.
2. Get educated.
Becoming educated is an important way to take ownership of your diabetes. Ask for a consultation with your Shopppers Drug Mart CDE Pharmacist.
You will also find helpful brochures and information sheets in your Shoppers Drug Mart store, both in the brochure rack and available on request from the Pharmacist.
A wealth of resources is also available online, but it’s important to check you are visiting credible sites.
You will find a wide array of information on diabetes right here on the Shoppers Drug Mart site. The following sites also provide good online information:
Canadian Diabetes Association This is an excellent source of information for people with diabetes, and includes Fact Sheets on diabetes and healthy living guidelines.
Public Health Agency of Canada This Government of Canada site includes the Canadian Diabetes Risk Questionnaire, CANRISK, together with other good resources on living with diabetes.
Getting educated and getting support is the key to taking ownership of your diabetes. Get to know your Shoppers Drug Mart CDE Pharmacist, and request a copy of our wallet-sized Diabetes Monitoring Record.
How can your Shoppers Drug Mart Pharmacist help?
Your Shoppers Drug Mart Pharmacist is knowledgeable about diabetes and is able to answer questions and review your diabetes medications with you. Visit your Shoppers Drug Mart today to speak with your Pharmacist.
To find your nearest Shoppers Drug Mart, click here.
