College of Pharmacy

Five Tips to Manage Diabetes

March 23, 2021 • Uncategorized

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney disease, about 34.2 million Americans have diabetes and more than 84 percent of Americans are living with prediabetes without knowing it. 

Pharmacists help patients with diabetes by providing customized plans, individual counseling, and prescribed medications. Here are five tips from HSC College of Pharmacy and HSC Health Clinical Pharmacists Dr. Adenike Atanda and Dr. Megan Wesling on how to manage diabetes: 

  • Set specific and attainable goals that work toward your personal health goals. It is not always JUST about the sugars. Look for balance in your well-being. 
  • Define your goals and share them with your healthcare team to help define your personal care plan.  
  • Nutrition and physical activity are key components of comprehensive diabetes management. Work with your healthcare team to develop a lifestyle plan that caters to your needs.  
  • Contact your healthcare team if you experience frequent episodes of low blood sugar. Your team can evaluate your medication regimen and lifestyle to determine if they need to make adjustments. Frequent or severe low blood sugar levels can lead to negative health outcomes and affect your quality of life.   
  • Medications prescribed for the management of diabetes come in various formulations, devices and dosing schedules. Inform your healthcare team if you are having difficulty affording your medications or taking them as prescribed.   

Check out these patient resources with more information on how to live a healthy lifestyle while managing diabetes: 

 

About Dr. Atanda and Dr. Wesling 

Adenike Atanda, PharmD, BCACP, CDCES, CTTSatanda

Dr. Adenike Atanda is a board-certified ambulatory care pharmacist and certified diabetes care and education specialist with practice experience in adult and geriatric care. She is passionate about chronic disease management and improving patient access to affordable and quality care. She is an assistant professor at HSC College of Pharmacy and a clinical pharmacist at HSC Health Geriatric Medicine clinic. 

Megan Wesling, PharmD, BCPS, BCACP Megan Wesling

Dr. Megan Wesling is a board-certified ambulatory care and pharmacotherapy pharmacist with practice experience in primary adult care. She is passionate about safe and effective medication management of chronic health conditions, interprofessional practice, pharmacy advocacy and clinical education. She is an assistant professor at HSC College of Pharmacy and a clinical pharmacist at HSC Health Family Medicine clinic.