Managing diabetes is not a goal you reach once; it is a routine of numbers, meals, medications and checkups that holds up with support. At Clínica Hispana Corazón y Vida in Pasadena we provide that follow-up in Spanish and without an appointment. This guide gathers what a patient needs to know to make decisions every day.
How do I know if I have diabetes or prediabetes?
The diagnosis comes from a blood test, not from symptoms. These are the values doctors use:
| Test | Normal | Prediabetes | Diabetes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fasting glucose | Under 100 mg/dL | 100 to 125 mg/dL | 126 mg/dL or higher |
| Hemoglobin A1c | Under 5.7% | 5.7% to 6.4% | 6.5% or higher |
Prediabetes causes no discomfort, but it is the signal to act: with changes in diet, physical activity and follow-up, many people prevent or delay diabetes. At the clinic we can run both tests in one blood test.
Which numbers should I watch every day?
- Fasting glucose: the usual target is between 80 and 130 mg/dL.
- Glucose two hours after a meal: below 180 mg/dL.
- A1c: below 7% for most adults; your provider adjusts the target based on age and other conditions.
- Blood pressure and cholesterol: diabetes damages the arteries, so they are managed together.
Write down your readings with the time and what you ate. That log is worth more than any explanation at the visit.
How often should I get checked?
- A1c: every three months while treatment is being adjusted; every six months once it is stable.
- Kidneys: a urine test for protein and blood creatinine once a year.
- Cholesterol and triglycerides: once a year.
- Feet: a check at every visit and a full exam once a year.
- Eyes: a yearly retina exam with a specialist.
- Blood pressure: at every visit.
These six checks catch the complications that matter most early: kidneys, retina, nerves and heart.
Which symptoms should I never ignore?
Constant thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, blurred vision, wounds that heal slowly, tingling in the feet or hands and repeated infections. If you also have nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or rapid breathing with very high glucose, go to the emergency room: it may be a serious decompensation.
What can I eat?
You do not need an impossible diet. A simple plate works best: half vegetables, a quarter protein (chicken, fish, eggs, beans) and a quarter whole-grain carbohydrate (corn tortilla, brown rice, oats). Limit sodas, juices and sweet bread, which raise glucose within minutes. Eat at regular times and do not skip meals if you take medication, to avoid low sugar.
What about exercise?
Thirty minutes of walking most days lower glucose and blood pressure. If you have been inactive for a while, start with ten minutes after each meal. Check your feet when you finish and wear closed shoes.
Which medications exist?
Metformin is usually the first medication for type 2 diabetes. If it is not enough, there are pills from other families and injectables, including insulin, which does not mean the disease is "worse" but that the body needs extra help. Never change the dose on your own; bring the list of what you take to every visit.
How do we help in Pasadena?
At Clínica Hispana Corazón y Vida we run the glucose and A1c tests, check kidneys and cholesterol in the same lab, adjust treatment and schedule follow-up for diabetes, blood pressure and cholesterol. All in Spanish, no insurance needed, with the price stated before the visit. Walk in every day from 9 AM to 9 PM, or message us on WhatsApp at (346) 646-2974.
The values in this guide follow the American Diabetes Association criteria. Your provider may set different targets for your case.
Need medical attention?
We're here to help. Call now to schedule your appointment or visit our clinic without an appointment.
Call now: +1 (832) 930-5551
