Managing your diabetes and checking your blood sugar helps prevent DKA and keep you healthy. Be sure to:
- Take your medications, including insulin, diabetes medication and any other medicine, on time and as prescribed.
- Test your glucose level as your doctor prescribes, especially before meals and at bedtime. Blood testing allows you to know right away if your blood glucose is high so you can treat it early. Symptoms often don’t appear until it is very high.
- If your blood glucose is high, treat it right away. If you missed a dose of insulin, take it, or take an extra dose as directed by your doctor. Drink plenty of water and check your blood glucose again after 30 minutes. If it’s still high, call your provider.
- Keep your blood sugar steady by eating meals that spread calories and carbohydrates throughout the day.
- Always carry medical identification.
- Teach others at home or at work how to check your blood glucose in case of an emergency.
- Take your medications when you are sick. In addition, drink extra fluids, eat healthy foods and check your blood glucose every three to four hours. If you have high blood glucose, check your ketones, and call your provider if the level is moderate or high.