Diabetes requires lifelong persistent treatment, so standardized home care plays an indispensable role. Below are five core principles that must be followed strictly.

1. Self-monitoring of blood glucose

Blood glucose monitoring is a core part of lifelong diabetes management. Blood glucose readings guide dosage adjustments of hypoglycemic agents. Without regular testing, medication doses and dietary arrangements cannot be tailored individually.

Target blood glucose ranges:

Fasting/pre-meal glucose: 4.4–7 mmol/L

2-hour postprandial glucose: below 9 mmol/L

For patients over 70 years old, the postprandial standard can be relaxed to below 10 mmol/L.

Monitoring is the only way to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of hypoglycemic therapy.

2. Dietary care

Fixed meal time and portion size

Patients taking oral hypoglycemic drugs or insulin must eat on schedule after medication. Staple and side dish portions shall remain stable following the diet plan formulated by medical staff. If a planned meal cannot be finished, make up the missing calories and nutrients on the same day.

Restrict sweets

Choose whole grains and coarse cereals. Avoid glucose, sucrose, honey and all related products, as well as high-sugar fruits.

Increase dietary fiber

Foods rich in fiber include beans, vegetables, coarse grains and low-sugar fruits. Daily fiber intake should be no less than 40 grams.

3. Moderate physical exercise

Select exercise types and intensity based on gender, age, disease condition, complications, medication and diet status; progress gradually within personal limits and keep exercising consistently without random interruption.

Recommended aerobic exercises: walking, jogging, Tai Chi, ballroom dancing. Exercise 1 hour after meals to avoid fasting hypoglycemia, and stop before feeling fatigued.

Signs of hypoglycemia (hunger, palpitations, cold sweats, dizziness, weakness): rest for 10–15 minutes and take sugar immediately; seek medical help if symptoms persist.

Stop exercise and contact doctors right away for chest tightness, chest pain or blurred vision.

Carry a diabetes identification card and candy at all times for emergency hypoglycemia relief.

4. Care for hypoglycemic medication

Oral hypoglycemic drugs

Sulfonylureas: take 30 minutes before meals.

Biguanides: take before or during meals.

Non-sulfonylurea secretagogues: start with low doses before or at mealtime; adjust dosage according to blood glucose results; skip the dose if no meal is taken.

Insulin management

Storage: Do not freeze insulin; avoid temperatures below 2℃ or above 30℃ and violent shaking.

Injection: Use dedicated insulin syringes or insulin pens. Rotate injection sites: deltoid of upper arm, abdomen, anterior thigh and buttocks (absorption is fastest at the abdomen).

Hypoglycemia risk: Insulin therapy may trigger fatal hypoglycemia, mostly occurring at night with symptoms of hunger, palpitations, cold sweats, dizziness and fatigue. Test blood glucose promptly and administer candy or sugary drinks; send the patient to hospital if there is no improvement.

5. Infection prevention

Maintain personal hygiene and intact clean skin to prevent pyogenic skin infections. Soak feet in warm water (around 38℃) for no more than 5 minutes before bedtime to prevent scalds. Do not apply arbitrary ointments to wounds or infected skin; seek professional medical treatment.