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Do you feel like you need to know more about how to take care of your type 2 diabetes? If you were recently diagnosed or you have had diabetes a long time, you can benefit from learning the latest things about taking care of yourself so you can reduce your risks for complications, such as reduced vision or nerve pain.

An important tool for managing your diabetes is your glucose meter. Some people avoid checking their blood glucose because pricking their fingers for a sample hurts too much. Some people were taught the best place to get a blood sample is the central part of their finger tip, which is actually the most sensitive part of the finger tip. Pricking your finger there is going to hurt more than the side of your fingertip. Learning how to test on the side of the fingertip instead significantly reduces pain.

Furthermore, today, most meters and strips allow you to check your blood glucose in other sites, such as on your arm between your elbow and wrist. New lancet sets allow you to reduce the depth of the needle prick and to use a thinner needle because smaller drops of blood are required to get a good reading. Many people report their pain and discomfort are reduced to almost nothing once they get new equipment and learn how to use it properly.

Have you hear about insulin pens or new insulins that control your blood glucose with no peaks over a 24-hour period? Just what is rapid-acting insulin, and why do so many people like to use it? There are many new oral medicines, too. Do you really have to use alcohol when you prick your finger or give your insulin injection?

Do you understand what your doctor is telling you when she says your hemoglobin A1C is too high? Is 8 percent too high when less than 7 percent is the recommendation by the American Diabetes Associa-tion?

While taking care of your diabetes is not easy, you might be surprised to learn that there are many new tools and methods to help you keep your blood glucose in the recommended ranges.

Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Smith County, is offering a five class series with nine topics called "Do Well, Be Well with Diabetes." These classes are taught by a team of volunteer nurses, dietitians, pharmacists, and other health professionals to provide you with the latest information on how to manage your type 2 diabetes better. Self-management of type 2 diabetes has changed a lot. Come to these classes and learn how to not only make your life with diabetes easier, but how to reduce your chances for complications.

Classes are $5 for the five-week series. The classes will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Bethesda Clinic, 409 W. Ferguson, Tyler. The scheduled dates for the five-class series are Feb. 11, 18, 25 and March 3 and 10. The deadline to enroll is Friday, Feb. 8, and your $5 fee may be paid the evening of the first class. Call your county Extension office at 903-590-2980 to enroll now.

Shelia Lewis is a Smith County Extension agent in family and consumer sciences. She can be reached at sk-lewis@tamu.edu. This column on family and consumer education news appears in the Thursday Community section of the Tyler Morning Telegraph.