Managing diabetes starts with having the right supplies—and the knowledge to use them. From insulin to glucose monitors, these tools can help protect your health and prevent serious complications.

What Diabetes Supplies and Devices Do I Need?

You're back home from the doctor and the news is starting to sink in: You've got diabetes and need to get your blood sugar levels under control. As you wrap your mind around the changes you have to make, spend a little time scoping out the devices and supplies that help keep your disease in check. Each of them plays a different role in managing diabetes and preventing complications.

Insulin, Insulin Syringes, and Insulin Pens

Your doctor may suggest you take insulin to keep your blood sugar levels from getting too high. It's a hormone that an organ called the pancreas makes to help you use or store sugar in the foods you eat.

If you have type 1 diabetes, your pancreas has stopped making insulin. If you have type 2 diabetes, the organ makes insulin, but your body doesn't use it right.

Your doctor may recommend one of several types of insulin:

Rapid-acting
Regular or short-acting
Intermediate-acting
Long-acting

Each works differently based on how long they take to start working, when they reach maximum strength, and how long they last.

There are a few strengths of insulin, but the most common is U-100 (100 units per milliliter of fluid). You'll need to inject insulin from one to four times a day, depending on what your doctor suggests.

You can do this with a syringe, which draws a dose of insulin from a bottle. Or you can use an insulin pen, which is either prefilled or has an insertable cartridge. There is also a type of insulin that you inhale.

Get to a Healthy Weight

Even a little extra weight can increase your cholesterol levels. Losing just 5 pounds can make a difference. If you’re not sure where to start, commit to very small changes. For instance, you can drink tap water or seltzer instead of a soda, or park farther away from a store entrance so you walk a few more steps than usual.

Curb Your Alcohol

After your liver breaks down alcohol, it rebuilds it as cholesterol and triglycerides, another substance in your blood that increases your risk of heart problems or stroke. Men younger than 65 should have no more than two alcoholic drinks each day. Women of all ages and men over 65 should limit themselves to one drink.

Start Moving

At least 150 minutes of activity each week can help keep your cholesterol levels low. You don’t need to do it all at once. Every type of movement, from working in your yard to taking a walk around the block, counts toward this goal.

Stop Smoking and Vaping

Smoking injures the walls of your arteries. This makes cholesterol more likely to “stick” to them. As soon as 20 minutes after you stop smoking, your blood pressure and heart rate return to normal. Within 3 months, your blood flow

improves.

Get Tested

High cholesterol doesn’t have symptoms. A blood test is the only way to find out if you have it. Most people need a cholesterol screening every 5 years. But if you’re at higher risk for heart problems -- for instance, if heart trouble runs in your family, or you’re overweight or have diabetes -- more frequent tests are a good idea. Talk with your doctor to find out what timeline is best for you.

Lifestyle changes are often enough to prevent high cholesterol, but some people need extra help. If your numbers go up in spite of your efforts, your doctor may tell you to stick with these healthy habits and start cholesterol-lowering medication as well.

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