If you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes or prediabetes, it’s easy to feel powerless. But the key to living well in the long term and to get the best care possible is to take control of the disease, says Vernon, B.C.-based physician Dr. Maureen Clement, chair of the Clinical & Scientific Section of the Canadian Diabetes Association. “People should be informed as much as they can and be empowered,” she says. “They should feel confident that they can manage whatever part they have in their care.”

Most important? A good relationship with your healthcare team, so that you’re all working efficiently toward a common goal: your best health. And they can’t do their jobs without you doing yours: preparing for appointments and asking questions. “It’s hard to know how to treat a person with diabetes without all the information,” says Dr. Clement. “It’s not a passive interaction.”

Ready to take ownership of your health? Here are some questions to ask your doctor and healthcare team so they can help you stay your healthiest.