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Diabetes Care Guidelines

Diabetes is a chronic condition that can improve when you and your practitioner work together.  To help you manage your condition, Unity follows the diabetes guidelines developed  by the State of Wisconsin called Wisconsin Essential Diabetes Mellitus Care Guidelines. 

The information on this page is also available in writing by calling Unity Customer Service at 800-362-3310.

See your diabetes care practitioners:

• Every 3-6 months to talk about concerns
• Every year for a complete physicial
• Annually for a dilated eye exam by an optometrist or ophthalmologist
• See your dentist every 6 months

If you are pregnant, or thinking of becoming pregnant, you may require special care. Discuss appropriate schedules and care with your practitioner.

At each visit, you and your practitioner should assess:

• Medications
  • to control blood sugar
  • to control blood pressure
  • to control cholesterol
  • to reduce the risk for heart disease and stroke
• Home blood glucose monitoring
• Frequency of low blood sugar
• Diet and weight goals
• Weight and height comparison
• Physical activity and exercise
• Blood pressure
• Teeth and gums
• Foot care
• Tobacco use, including how to quit
• Emotional/sexual health
• Other concerns and goals

Routine self-care:

• Blood glucose monitoring 2-4 times per day, or as your practitioner recommends
• Daily foot care. Look at your feet daily for cuts, sores, corns and calluses. Let your practitioner know about any problems, including tingling or numbness
• Brushing and flossing your teeth twice daily

Lab tests:

• A1c test every 3-6 months to check for blood sugar averages
• Annual urine test for microalbumin (protein) and serum creatinine for good kidney functioning
• Annual cholesterol (lipid) test to check for the amount of good and bad cholesterol in your blood

Immunizations:

• Influenza vaccine (flu shot) yearly
• Pneumonia vaccine, with boosters as directed by your health care practitioner

Education:

• Healthy eating and meal choices by a registered dietitian or diabetes educator every 12 months
• Self-management training by a diabetes educator every 12 months

Exercise:

• Thirty minutes of physical activity most days of the week