About Your Diabetes > What You Can DoSmoking Cessation
While easier said than done, if you smoke, you should quit. Because tobacco dependence is a medical condition, it is important to talk with your health care provider about smoking cessation treatment. Medications are now available which have helped many people trying to quit. Counseling and support groups have also been shown to be effective. MedicationsMedications can be a valuable part of diabetes management. It is important to take all of your medication as prescribed. If you are late taking a medication and unsure what to do you should contact your health care professional. If you miss a dose, do not double the next dose, unless your provider instructs you to do so. Know Your "ABC"s1. Manage your Hemoglobin A1c.
2. Manage your Blood Pressure
3. Manage your Cholesterol
Current recommendations for cholesterol levels in diabetics are:
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One in five deaths in the U.S. are linked to cigarette smoking. In persons with diabetes, smoking can greatly accelerate the development of diabetes-related complications, such as heart disease, blindness and premature death. Smoking may also contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes.
This blood test, usually ordered by your health care provider, gives your “average” blood glucose over the past 2-3 months. The results, given as a percentage, tell you how well your diabetes has been controlled recently. Your hemoglobin A1c is directly related to your risk of developing problems as a result of your diabetes: lower hemoglobin A1c = lower risk of problems. Currently, the American Diabetes Association recommends aiming for a hemoglobin A1c of less than 7%. Results of 8% or greater usually mean that something about your diabetes management plan needs to be changed. 
When blood pressure gets too high, body organs can become damaged, causing them to stop working properly. As diabetics are at increased risk of damaging certain organs, such as the eyes, kidneys, heart and blood vessels, keeping blood pressure under control is especially important. Currently, the National Institutes of Health recommends diabetics aim for a blood pressure of less than 130/80 mm/Hg.
"Cholesterol" is a general term for the different types of fats in your blood. For persons with diabetes, keeping cholesterol levels under control is essential in reducing the risk of serious health problems such as heart disease and stroke. In general, there are four types of fats in your blood that are detected in a "cholesterol" test: