If you have recently been diagnosed with diabetes, it can take some time to adapt to your new life. At first, you may feel scared or wonder how you’re going to manage your health condition.
But as you get used to the reality of living with diabetes, you’ll likely find that life will return to normal, even though you’ll have to make a few lifestyle changes along the way.
These 5 tips can help you live healthier if you have diabetes:
Educate yourself. The more you know, the more you can be in control of your own health. Learn all you can about diabetes and what you can do to prevent complications from the disease. Find out what symptoms may indicate that your diabetes is not under control and understand why it’s important to carefully manage your condition. Your doctor will likely provide you with information about the disease, but you may want to do your own research, too.
Assemble a good care team. Managing diabetes often requires a team of health professionals. In addition to your primary doctor, you may need to see a specialist, such as an endocrinologist. A diabetes care team and registered dietitian can help you make healthy lifestyle changes. Since people with diabetes are more prone to some health issues, you may also need to include others on your team, such as an eye doctor, podiatrist and mental health professional.
Be proactive about managing your diabetes. You will likely receive a lot of information and advice from your care team. The more proactive you can be about following this advice, the better. Make recommended changes to your diet. Follow your doctor’s advice about medication. Adopt other healthy habits, such as exercising more, reducing stress, getting enough sleep and losing weight, to help better manage your condition.
Monitor your health. Managing diabetes is all about keeping your blood sugar levels in a healthy range. To help you monitor your health, check blood sugar levels as suggested by your diabetes care team and know your numbers. Keep track of these numbers to get a better idea of what makes them go up or down. Don’t skip appointments with doctors and other health care professionals. Pay attention to signs and symptoms that your diabetes treatment plan may need to be adjusted. Ask questions when you don’t understand something or need more information.
Take things one step at a time. It can be overwhelming to think of managing diabetes as something you have to do for the rest of your life. But as you adjust your habits, you’ll likely find they become second nature to you and things get easier. Make adjustments to your lifestyle one step at a time and remind yourself with each change you make that you are giving yourself the gift of better health.
Want additional guidance for living with diabetes? FirstHealth’s Diabetes & Nutrition Education Center offers counseling for individuals with specific medical needs as well as those who wish to maintain optimal health.
The center was recently reaccredited by the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists (ADCES). The ADCES accreditation includes FirstHealth’s location in Pinehurst along with its extension sites in Montgomery, Richmond and Hoke counties. To schedule an appointment or learn more, call (910) 715-1925.
