Health Plan of San Joaquin | Focus Your Health | Winter 2019

Focus Your Health 3 All about the A1C test If you have diabetes, your doctor may ask you to get an A1C blood test. What’s that all about? And why do you need it? An A1C test helps you and your doctor see how well your treatment is working. And that knowl- edge may help you stay healthier. When you do daily blood sugar checks, you get a glimpse of your blood sugar level at that moment in time. That’s important. But with an A1C test, you learn your average blood sugar levels for the past two to three months. So an even bigger picture of your health comes into view. Your doctor can tell you what your A1C goal should be and how often you need to be tested. A goal of less than 7% is recommended for many people. Keeping your aver- age levels on target may reduce the risk of diabe- tes complications. If your blood sugar is too high or too low, ask your doctor what steps you can take to correct it. Sources: American Diabetes Association; National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Take special care of your teeth and feet When you have diabetes, it affects your whole body—head to toe. To prevent problems, your teeth and feet might need a little extra TLC. To take care of your teeth: ● ● Brush them at least twice a day. And floss daily. ● ● See your dentist every six months. Go more often if you notice signs of gum disease, such as bleeding or sore gums, bad breath, a bad taste in your mouth, or loose teeth. ● ● Questions about Medi-Cal Dental, previously known as Denti-Cal, covered benefits can be directed to their customer service line 800.322.6384, or visit their website at smilecalifornia.org . To care for your feet: ● ● Never go barefoot. ● ● Wash your feet daily, and dry them carefully—especially between your toes. ● ● Avoid using lotion between your toes. It encourages moisture and germs. ● ● Trim toenails straight across. And don’t cut into the corners. ● ● Gently use a pumice stone every day to help keep corns and calluses under control. But if they need to be trimmed, ask your doctor for help. ● ● Don’t ignore sores, scratches, blisters, cuts or cracks. They can lead to serious infections or even amputation. ● ● Have a complete foot exam once a year. Your doctor should look at your feet at every visit. Sources: American Diabetes Association; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention HealthReach 1502