How to Lower Blood Sugar
UM Midtown's certified diabetes educator goes over what you can learn from the Diabetes Self-Management Training program.
There is no one secret on how to lower blood sugar. The fact is, managing your diabetes is an ongoing process that involves a lot of working parts, such as:
- Eating a healthy diet
- Increasing your physical activity
- Understanding carbohydrates
- Taking medications as directed
- Monitoring blood sugar
- Managing stress
Understanding these working parts is the key to creating a strategy for lowering your blood sugar that will work for you. While this can seem like a lot to do on your own, you do not have to do it alone!
Learn more about diabetes versus pre-diabetes, when it is time to see a specialist, and how the University of Maryland Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology can help you and your family manage all forms of diabetes and any related conditions.
At the UM Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology's Diabetes Self-Management Training (DSMT) program, you can learn from a diabetes educator in a collaborative setting with a small group of patients who can provide support and share their own experiences.
Diabetes Self-Management Program
The program includes an individual assessment by a certified diabetes instructor and a total of 10 hours of diabetes education. In a group setting, participants work with the educator and each other to learn more about how to control their blood sugar.
Program Eligibility
- People diagnosed with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes.
- A physician referral is required prior to beginning the program.
- Please note that people with prediabetes are not eligible for this program but can join our Diabetes Prevention Program.
Program Overview
- Participants will first meet individually with a certified diabetes educator and receive an hour of individual education.
- Participants will receive an additional 9 hours of diabetes education in a small group setting for the first year.
- Participants are possibly eligible to receive two hours of follow-up education each year. Education will vary based upon the diagnosis determined by the participants' provider.
Program Benefits
Participants learn tips on eating healthy, monitoring blood sugar, adding physical activity to daily life, managing stress and reducing risk. These can help:
- Decrease diabetes-related complications
- Improve medication management and adherence
- Improve blood pressure, cholesterol and hemoglobin A1C levels
How to Join the Diabetes Self-Management Program
Check with your insurance plan regarding coverage for DSMT programs. A physician referral is required prior to beginning the program. Ask your provider for a referral to our Diabetes Self-Management Training Program.
Health Providers: Learn how to make a referral to DSMT.