## Navigate Your Diabetes with Confidence If you are living with diabetes, you may have many questions about how to take care of your health. It’s not always easy, but you can play a big role in your diabetes care. There are lots of steps you can take to help manage your diabetes in your everyday life. At Boston Medical Center (BMC), our group of certified diabetes education care specialists are dedicated to helping you—and you can use the resources below as a guide. ## Take Control of Your Diabetes Our resource center provides information on healthy eating, being physically active, monitoring blood sugars, managing diabetes when you are sick, understanding diabetes medications, and managing stress and day-to-day activities. Learn more: ![](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/d895d069-b920-40fe-ab79-462fafb58868/Miguel-Balboa_1-jpg?io=transform:fill,width:768,aspectratio:21x9,gravity:top&format=webp) ### Eating Healthy Use our healthy eating resources to find a diet that works best for you. There is no “one-size-fits-all” diet for people with diabetes. [Eat What Works for You](/diabetes-resource-center/eating-healthy) ![](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/53a98548-bd73-4a3d-b42f-05a26ecc612c/miguel-swim-3-jpg?io=transform:fill,width:768,aspectratio:21x9,gravity:center&format=webp) ### Mindful Exercise Boost your overall well-being by staying active. Finding activities you enjoy and making them part of your routine makes a big difference. [Find Ways to Get Moving](/diabetes-resource-center/mindful-exercise) ![](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/f6f93c11-3333-4247-916c-84d470dba17f/Stock-Fingerprint-Monitoring?io=transform:fill,width:150,aspectratio:21x9,gravity:center&format=webp) ### Blood Sugar Monitoring Learn to better balance and track your blood glucose by understanding what affects your levels, so you can feel your best. [Monitor Your Numbers](/diabetes-resource-center/blood-sugar-monitoring) ![](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/1485dadf-9f3f-4224-b528-88e596aa3ec1/bigst-Checking-Vaccine-51147193-filling-injection?io=transform:fill,width:768,aspectratio:21x9,gravity:center&format=webp) ### Medicine for Diabetes Take medications as prescribed to help lower your blood glucose. Pills are commonly used for type 2 diabetes, while insulin is usually required for type 1. [Know Your Medicine](/diabetes-resource-center/medicine-for-diabetes) ![](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/2724b20e-80f7-486e-8549-e0898cf4be2d/iStock-1146576913?io=transform:fill,width:768,aspectratio:21x9,gravity:center&format=webp) ### Managing Complications Make healthy lifestyle changes to lower your risk of diabetes complications—like quitting smoking, staying active, eating well, and checking your feet regularly. [Take Simple Steps to Stay Well](/diabetes-resource-center/managing-complications) ![](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/c2fad9e7-f398-4f79-b319-f39ff1827f60/BIPOC-mental-health?io=transform:fill,width:768,aspectratio:21x9,gravity:center&format=webp) ### Mental Health Care Get the care and support you need to stay healthy and feel your best. Living with diabetes isn’t always easy, but you don’t have to manage it alone. [Prioritize Your Wellbeing](/diabetes-resource-center/mental-health-care) ## Quick Help for Blood Sugar Management Get insights into what your symptoms could mean for your health and learn more about low, normal, and high blood sugar. **If you think you are experiencing a medical emergency, please call 911.** ### [I Have Low Blood Sugar](/diabetes-resource-center/blood-sugar-monitoring#low-blood-sugar) You may feel shaky, sweaty, hungry, irritable, or nervous. You might experience headaches, weakness, trouble concentrating, or an irregular heartbeat. ### [I Have High Blood Sugar](/diabetes-resource-center/blood-sugar-monitoring#high-blood-sugar) You may experience nausea and vomiting, “fruity breath,” chest or stomach pain, very dry skin and lips, labored breathing, or confusion. ### [I Feel Sick](/diabetes-resource-center/blood-sugar-monitoring#when-youre-unwell) You may experience symptoms related to a sickness like the flu, an infection, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, surgery, injury, or even a minor illness like a cold. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Am I at risk of developing diabetes? **The more risk factors you have, the higher your chances of developing diabetes. Risk factors include:** - Overweight or obesity - Being age 40 or older - Family history of diabetes - Low levels of physical activity - High blood pressure or high cholesterol - History of gestational diabetes - Delivering a baby weighing more than 9 lbs. - Having African American, Latino, Asian, or Native American family background ### How can I achieve and maintain good blood glucose control? - Take all medications as instructed. - Monitor your blood glucose daily and look for patterns. - Eat three balanced meals per day, manage carbohydrate portions, and reduce saturated fat intake. - Move your body—walk, dance, garden, clean; it doesn’t have to be the gym. - Stay motivated—learn about diabetes, talk with friends and family, and keep yourself informed. - Maintain a healthy weight. **Remember: Small changes can have a big impact!** ### How can I reduce the risk of complications? - Target an A1C (90-day glucose average) of 7 percent or less. - Keep blood pressure below 130/80. - Aim for an LDL cholesterol level below 100. - Quit smoking. - Maintain a healthy weight. - Keep regular appointments with your healthcare team, including eye, foot, kidney, and dental care. ### What are the health risks of poorly controlled diabetes? **Diabetes can lead to serious health problems, including:** - Leading cause of new blindness cases among adults - Two to four times higher risk of heart disease and stroke - Leading cause of end-stage renal disease, which may require dialysis or a kidney transplant - More than 60 percent of non-traumatic lower-limb amputations occur in people with diabetes - About 60 to 70 percent of diabetics experience some form of nervous system damage - Higher risk of gum disease - Greater susceptibility to infections and illness ## Our Dedicated Team ![Diabetes Education team, from left to right: Katelyn O’Brien, PharmD-CDCES, Kyle Bertram, PharmD-CDCES, Molly Brennan, RN-CDCES, Mara Garwood, RD-CDCES, Corrine Aia, RD-CDCES, Elizabeth Brouillard, RD-CDCES, Sheicia Paul, RN-CDCES](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/da28cb1a-bd24-4601-8815-35cfde4ed76b/2026-Diabetes-Education-CDCES-team-photo.jpg) *Diabetes Education team, from left to right: Katelyn O’Brien, PharmD-CDCES, Kyle Bertram, PharmD-CDCES, Molly Brennan, RN-CDCES, Mara Garwood, RD-CDCES, Corrine Aia, RD-CDCES, Elizabeth Brouillard, RD-CDCES, Sheicia Paul, RN-CDCES* The outstanding interdisciplinary team at BMC shares a commitment to helping you live life to the fullest. The team includes highly experienced diabetes specialists, nurse practitioners, certified diabetes educators (including nurses, pharmacists, and dietitians), and other specialists skilled in treating the complex needs of diabetes patients. [Meet Our Team](/departments/endocrinology/clinical-diabetes-program/diabetes-education#our-team "Department of Endocrinology: Clinical Diabetes Program: Diabetes Education | Boston Medical Center (bmc.org)") ![](https://assets.bmc.org/transform/76fe25de-1834-4afd-954a-abf5542cb1c7/IMG_8650-jpg?io=transform:fill,width:350,gravity:top&format=webp) Reference Material## Diabetes Resource Book Managing diabetes can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. Boston Medical Center has created a diabetes resource book to help you build healthy habits, learn key skills, and stay on top of your care. Inside, you’ll find practical tips on everything from healthy eating and stress management to blood sugar monitoring and staying active. [Download in English (PDF)](/sites/default/files/Patient_Care/Specialty_Care/Diabetes/Diabetes-Resource-Book-2025/BMC-Diabetes-Resource-Book-2025-English.pdf "BMC Diabetes Resource Book, 2025 (PDF, English)") *Also available in:* [Español](/sites/default/files/Patient_Care/Specialty_Care/Diabetes/Diabetes-Resource-Book-2025/BMC-Diabetes-Resource-Book-2025-Espanol.pdf "BMC Diabetes Resource Book, 2025 (PDF, Español)") | [Kreyòl Ayisyen](/sites/default/files/Patient_Care/Specialty_Care/Diabetes/Diabetes-Resource-Book-2025/BMC-Diabetes-Resource-Book-2025-Kreyol-Ayisyen.pdf "BMC Diabetes Resource Book, 2025 (PDF, Kreyòl Ayisyen)") | [Português Brasileiro](/sites/default/files/Patient_Care/Specialty_Care/Diabetes/Diabetes-Resource-Book-2025/BMC-Diabetes-Resource-Book-2025-Portugues-Brasileiro.pdf "BMC Diabetes Resource Book, 2024 (PDF, Português Brasileiro)") | [Tiếng Việt](/sites/default/files/Patient_Care/Specialty_Care/Diabetes/Diabetes-Resource-Book-2025/BMC-Diabetes-Resource-Book-2025-Tieng-Viet.pdf "BMC Diabetes Resource Book, 2025 (PDF, Tiếng Việt)") ## Explore the Resource Center Learn how to manage your diabetes with our guides, tips, and videos. - [Eating Healthy](/diabetes-resource-center/eating-healthy) - [Mindful Exercise](/diabetes-resource-center/mindful-exercise) - [Blood Sugar Monitoring](/diabetes-resource-center/blood-sugar-monitoring) - [Medicine for Diabetes](/diabetes-resource-center/medicine-for-diabetes) - [Managing Complications](/diabetes-resource-center/managing-complications) - [Mental Health Care](/diabetes-resource-center/mental-health-care) *Diabetes information found on these pages should not replace education or instruction from your healthcare provider or certified diabetes educator. We encourage all patients to personalize their diabetes management in collaboration with their healthcare team.*