b'size - portion control is important. Other self-care behaviors include being active, monitoring your blood sugar,takingmedicationsasprescribed,practicing problemsolvingskills,learningtocopewithstress, and reducing the risk of complications from diabetes. Muehleman says she encourages program participants to make and keep yearly appointments with their eye doctor, their dentist, and see a podiatrist to make sure that your feet are not being affected due to diabetes. All the hard work proves to be worth it since studies show that patients who receive diabetes education use primary and preventative care, take their medications asprescribed,controltheirglucose,bloodpressure andLDLcholesterol,andoverallhavelower healthcare costs. For more information on DSMES at BJHCHS, callGetting into a diabetes management program is 843-812-4374 or visit www.bjhchs.org/services/ important to help manage diabetes because having nutrition.support is so important. Valerie MuehlemanSMOKERS HAVE A 30%TO40%HIGHER RISK OF DIABETES THAN NONSMOKERSSmoking increases your risk of type 2 diabetes.You CAN quit.Call 1-800-QUIT-NOW.'