Newly Diagnosed with Diabetes:
Now What?
If you or a loved one have recently been diagnosed with diabetes, learning about the disease and the lifestyle changes you will need to make are extremely important as you begin to manage your disease. The simple fact that you are reading this article means you are being proactive.
Managing diabetes means a commitment to lifetime changes that include healthy eating, daily exercise, and close monitoring of blood sugar levels.
The good news about living with diabetes or a love one that has the disease is that all of the lifestyle changes are positive. If everyone in your family instigates the changes recommended for the diabetic - everyone in your household will benefit from more nutritious meals and exercise.
The bad news about diabetes is that if not controlled, it may put you at higher risk of developing many other diseases and complications.
Diabetes Defined:
Simply put, people with diabetes either do not produce enough insulin or do distribute it within their body efficiently. When you eat, your body turns most of your food into a form of sugar, called glucose. Insulin is the hormone in distributes the glucose within the body to provide energy. People diagnosed with type 1 diabetes do not make any insulin in their bodies and people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes produce some insulin but their cells to do react to the hormone correctly. Type 1 diabetes is generally diagnosed in childhood while most adults are diagnosed with type 2.
Information is Key.
There is a wealth of information on Diabetes. Gather all you can and join support groups in your area. Participate in our on-line community to gain and share knowledge with others. Being part of a larger community does more that give you information; it provides socialization and reminds you that you are one of many seeking to learn how to manage your disease.
Building Your Health Care Team.
Upon diagnosis, you will probably begin treatment with a primary-care provider, an internist, or an endocrinologist - that will serve as your main provider. You will also most likely be assigned a Registered Dietitian and a coach or educator that will help you learn how to do many of the things that you'll need to do on a daily basis - as well as how do deal with individual problems as they arise.
Because diabetes can affect so many other areas of your body, you may be adding several specialists to your list of providers. Your list of medications may become long and it's important for all to know what prescriptions you are taking.
The American Diabetes Association offers a free booklet designed to help you keep up with medications, providers, and monitor your success. To receive your free copy, call 1-800-DIABETES and ask for your free copy of "A Visit Planning Tool."
Plan the Route and Stick to the Plan.
Like any change in life, living with diabetes will be difficult at first. You'll get better with practice and you and your family will live healthier lives with the positive changes you will be making in your lifestyle.
The changes you are making are like taking a long trip at night. You can't see your destination because you can only see as far as the headlights light your way. Still, if you keep driving, you will eventually make it to your destination.
Eat healthy, monitor your blood sugar level, learn everything you can, and get daily exercise. Your health care providers will help you chart out the path, but you must be willing to stick with it.
This article is intended for general information only and is not intended to replace information from your dietitian or doctor.
Annie Austin - Annie Austin is a freelance writer/producer working primarily in the advertising and marketing field. She's worked with hospitals, ...
