Diabetes: important daily actions

What are we talking about?

Diabetes is characterised by persistently elevated blood glucose. It requires regular follow-up to limit complications (heart, kidneys, eyes, nerves, feet).

The messages below are educational. Glycaemic targets and treatments are defined individually by the health professional.

What you may observe

Monitor, according to your follow-up instructions: blood glucose, intense thirst, unusual fatigue, blurred vision, wounds that heal poorly, tingling in the feet.

Any foot wound, even small, deserves immediate attention.

Good practices

Respect prescribed treatments (tablets or insulin) and the schedules agreed with your care team.

Adopt a regular diet, adapted physical activity and careful examination of the feet. Stay hydrated and do not walk barefoot on risky surfaces.

What to avoid

Avoid interrupting insulin or antidiabetic medicines without medical instructions.

Avoid self-medication with products presented as “natural” to replace prescribed treatment.

Medicines: what you need to know

Antidiabetic medicines and insulin require precise understanding of doses and schedules. If a dose is missed, do not invent a rule: ask for advice.

Some medicines (including certain anti-inflammatories) can disturb balance: mention your diabetes at each dispensing.

When to ask the pharmacist?

The pharmacist can clarify how to use insulin pens or meters, help anticipate refills, and check compatibility of an occasional medicine.

When to seek medical care?

Seek rapid assessment in case of very high or very low blood glucose with malaise, vomiting preventing food intake, a foot wound, infection, or severe unusual symptoms.