-Dr.Dianne McCallister, Chief Medical Officer at Porter Adventist Hospital

Last week we discussed what diabetes is. As a continuing part of Diabetes Awareness Month, today we are again focusing on this disease - in particular, how is it treated. What things can be done to prevent complications.

The understanding of how to treat diabetes is constantly being researched and improved.

For Type I diabetics, who do not make their own insulin, the use of insulin shots is necessary. This is given as shots beneath the skin. There are many formulations, some last for 12-24 hours and others are short acting. These allow for excellent blood sugar control.

For some patients, insulin pumps are a new and very effective treatment. The pumps deliver a constant dose of insulin.

Type II diabetics, who have a problem with their body's response to insulin, are treated with oral medications.

Some of these improve the body's response to insulin, while others help the body to produce more insulin.

In addition, some Type II diabetics require insulin shots, with the insulins described above.

All diabetics require education to help them follow a diet that helps control blood sugar, and also need regular exercise.

A blood test called Hemoglobin A1C is the gold standard to follow for effectiveness of treatment. When our blood cells are exposed to high levels of glucose - or blood sugar - the blood cells have a change that is measured by the percent of Hemoglobin A1C in the blood.

This correlates to an average blood sugar level in the blood over the past 3 months. Keeping this in the normal range is how the success is measured.

In addition, diabetics need to monitor their blood sugars a number of times a day to make sure their levels are not too high - or too low as a result of their treatment.

Many diabetics will need medications to help lower blood cholesterol or triglyceride levels. They do best with regular aerobic exercise.

Those who smoke must quit to lower the chance of heart, kidney and vascular disease, which can lead to loss of limbs.

Tomorrow is the Great American Smokeout - a great time to get support stopping.

Here are four basic things the Smokeout recommends:

Set a specific date to stop. Tomorrow is a good time because many others will be doing it. However, pick the right date for you - and commit to it with someone else.
Make sure you drink at least 8 glasses of water daily, both to keep hydrated and to remove the toxins from your system and from your lungs.
Eat protein every 4 hours to keep your brain fed and blood sugar balanced.
Find a way to deal with the the cravings for cigarettes - by using substitute activities, by eating regularly, and by getting medications to help control withdrawal symptoms.

Many groups offer support, such as the Colorado Quitline and Porter Adventist's Smoking Cessation program.

Find the right resource, and the right time, for you - but dont put it off - the sooner you quit, the sooner your body starts healing.

Dr. McCallister is on 7NEWS at 11 a.m. every Wednesday. If you have a topic or question you would like her to discuss, email 11am@thedenverchannel.com.