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My doctor says I have a little diabetes... now what?
Newly diagnosed with diabetes and unsure where to start?
Read on to learn about the steps you should take to control diabetes.
How did I get diabetes?
- Genetics - If you have a close relative with diabetes your risk is
increased. Some ethnic groups such as Native Americans, Hispanics,
and African Americans are at increased risk too.
- Lifestyle - Lifestyle or environmental factors that may lead to
diabetes. Foods consumed, activity level, and obesity are directly linked to
type 2 diabetes.
What should I do now? (0-3 months)
How well you control diabetes is up to you. You can choose to take steps to modify your
lifestyle to control blood sugar and minimize complications. It comes
down to setting goals, organization, planning, and following through with
your plan. There are probably a few things your are wondering about...
exercise, diet, testing blood sugar, medications, and specialists, to name
a few.
- Start with speaking with your physician. Learn about your
medications, how often, and when you should take them. Ask about
an exercise program. You will want to know how much exercise and
how often your doctor recommends for you based on health concerns.
Ask your doctor about your blood pressure. You will want to know
if your blood pressure is high and the steps to lower it.
Ask to see a diabetes educator and a registered dietitian.
- A diabetes educator can help you with when and how often you should be
testing your blood sugar. They can also help you to set blood
sugar goals. In the beginning, you may be asked to test blood
sugar about 4 times per day including when you first wake up and are
fasted, before meals, after meals, and prior to bedtime. It is a
good idea to keep a log of your blood sugar so that you can share these
with your doctor.
- A registered dietitian can help you design a meal plan based on your
dietary needs. A RD can also help you learn which foods will
affect your blood sugar.
Now you have something to build upon. Begin to implement your
exercise program, meal plan, blood sugar testing, and take your medications
regularly.
What's next? (3-6 months)
- At your next doctor's visit, ask about having an A1c test. An
A1c test is a blood test that reveals how your blood sugar has been
over the past few months. This test can show high blood sugar you
are not aware of as a result of blood sugar testing times.
- Look into attending a diabetes class. These classes can help to
learn more about meal plans (including carbohydrate counting), exercise
programs, sick days, complications, and offer support from others that
are newly diagnosed as well.
- Begin to increase your duration of exercise. For example, if you
swim for 25 minutes each day, strive to swim for 30-40 minutes.
Set aside time everyday for physical activity. In addition to the
actual workout, factor in time for stretching, showering, etc.
And then? (6-9 months)
- Again, at your doctor's visit, ask about another A1c test.
Assess the frequency of blood sugar testing - if you are well
controlled, you may be able to decrease how often you test your blood
sugar. Ask about visiting an eye doctor for a diabetes eye exam and a foot
doctor if needed.
- Assess your dietary goals. Are you eating enough fiber?
Are you limiting your fat intake? Do you need to lose weight and
if so should you re-evaluate your calorie intake?
- Increase the duration of your exercise program. Begin to
increase the intensity of your exercise as well. For example if
you choose to walk for physical exercise, you might choose to increase
your pace or walk on an incline to increase intensity.
Now what? (9-12 months)
Continue to monitor your blood sugar and meal plan. Assess body weight and stick with
your exercise plan. You've taken control of your diabetes and you are
on your way to a healthier lifestyle with decreased risk of complications
because of it.
Is there a list of healthcare professionals I should consider seeing?
Below, we have compiled a list of professionals you will want to consider visiting to
control your diabetes and prevent complications.
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