Diabetes and Other Chronic Problems
How do I care for my diabetes and my other health problems?
Many people with diabetes also have other health problems. Some of
these problems may have started long before the diabetes and some after.
Often these problems are also chronic and need to be cared for along with
the diabetes.
It may seem like too much to have more than one chronic condition to take
care of every day. It may help to know that some of the things you do
for your diabetes, like exercise and using a meal plan, can help some of the
other problems too.
How can I be sure it's safe to take medicines for more than one
condition?
Here are some tips to safely take medicine for more than one problem:
- Tell your doctor, dentist and other health care professionals about
all of your conditions. Tell them all of the medications you take.
- It is a good idea to get all of your medications from one drugstore
where you can talk to the pharmacist. The pharmacist can help watch for
interactions between the medications and answer your questions about the
medicine.
- Do not take medication prescribed for someone else.
- Keep a current list of your medications with you.
How can I remember to take my medicines?
The more pills you take, the harder it is to take them correctly. Here
are some tips:
- Plan to take most of the medicine at one time.
- Take your pills at a meal time or with some other habit that will
remind you, such as when you brush your teeth in the morning.
- Mark a daily calendar when you take your pills.
- Use a pill box with slots for each day, or different times of the
day.
- Carry a small pill bottle with you if you need to take medication
when you are not home.