What can help me control my diabetes?
You can do several things to make it easier to control your diabetes. Along with your family doctor, the nurses, dietitians and other professionals, your family and your friends, you can choose a plan that works for you. Here are some steps that can help you:

Where can I get more information about diabetes

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This information provides a general overview on taking control of diabetes and may not apply in each individual case. Consult your physician to determine whether this information can be applied to your personal situation and to obtain additional information.

·	Learn more about diabetes. Your family doctor can help you find the other health professionals to be on your "team." You might go to a patient education class. You might join a diabetes patient support group. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) can send you information, including the publication American Diabetes Association: Complete Guide to Diabetes (1996). If you join the ADA, you get a monthly magazine with helpful information, tips and stories about how. other people cope with diabetes. Be sure to ask your doctor before you change your treatment.
·	Tell your doctor what's most important to you. A very important part of a good diabetes management plan is talking-plainly and often-with your doctor. Talk about what you think you can do and what you can't do. You are more likely to reach your goals if you helped plan them.
·	Lower your blood cholesterol if it's high. Check with your doctor to see what your cholesterol level should be. Your doctor can help you bring a high level down.  Set specific goals. Plan specific ways to reach your goals. Start with making small changes in your daily life, like exercising every day. Lifestyle changes can be hard to make, so you should start with something small. Even a small success will make it easier for you to make other changes.
·	Try to create a supportive environment for yourself. Get your family and your friends involved in your lifestyle changes. They will give you support in staying healthy. Your healthy lifestyle changes can be a chance for them to share a healthier lifestyle too. But remember, you're in charge of what's best for you. Your friends and family can't do it for you. Sometimes coping with all you're going through can feel like too much to your family and friends. A diabetes support group can give you the extra help and support you need. So can the doctors, nurses and dietitians on your health care team.

·	Call-800-ADA-ORDER (1-800-232-6733) to learn more about American Diabetes Association publications.
·	Call-800-806-7801 to join the American Diabetes Association. This costs $24 a year. As part of your membership, you get their magazine, Diabetes Forecast, every month.
·	To find diabetes information on the World Wide Web, visit www.diabetes.org