If you’ve been recognized with kind 2 diabetes, you might be anxious about what comes subsequent. It’s regular to really feel overwhelmed. A diabetes analysis is an enormous duty. Diabetes is a continual situation the place your blood glucose (or blood sugar) is just too excessive, which, if left untreated, can result in critical well being issues.
Although a diabetes analysis may be powerful, the excellent news is kind 2 diabetes may be manageable. It may be a chance to take management of your well being and spend money on your well-being. By making some way of life modifications and staying on prime of preventive care, you possibly can successfully handle the illness and stop well being problems.
And keep in mind, you aren’t alone. We have quite a lot of assets obtainable that will help you take cost of your well being and management how you reside with the illness.
What to Do After a Type 2 Diabetes Diagnosis
1. Create a therapy plan and assemble a staff.
The very first thing to do after a diabetes analysis is to fulfill together with your major care physician. Your physician will go over the fundamentals, reminiscent of what diabetes is, what excessive blood sugar means and the way it impacts your well being, drugs, dietary modifications, train, and different way of life habits reminiscent of alcohol and smoking. Your physician will develop a diabetes therapy plan that will help you keep wholesome.
Your major care physician will head up your diabetes care staff. That staff, relying in your wants, can also embody an endocrinologist, optometrist, podiatrist, dentist, pharmacist, registered dietitian and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist.
It can also be useful to speak to a psychological well being skilled since despair and diabetes are linked.
Independence Blue Cross (Independence) Registered Nurse Health Coaches are specially-trained nurses who can be found 24/7 that will help you perceive your diabetes analysis. They can educate you about your situation, and assist you make way of life selections that may scale back your well being dangers. Our Health Coaches will work with you in your individualized diabetes administration plan, and direct you to quite a lot of diabetes assets that we’ve got obtainable for members (e.g., diabetes schooling teams and assist teams, dietary counseling, assist getting a blood glucose monitor free of charge, in addition to assist accessing contemporary meals).
To attain a Health Coach at any time, name 1-800-ASK-BLUE (1-800-275-2583) (TTY/TDD: 711).
2. Monitor blood sugar ranges commonly.
One of a very powerful issues to do after being recognized with diabetes is to start out a brand new routine of checking your blood sugar. If your blood sugar falls too low or rises too excessive, it might probably trigger critical problems. You can examine your blood sugar at residence each day with a blood glucose monitor. It’s useful to check earlier than and after meals and train to see how your blood sugar ranges fluctuate and what causes fluctuations. Independence presents LifeScan blood glucose meters to our members for gratis.
Your physician may even order common bloodwork, referred to as the A1C check, to watch your common blood sugar ranges not less than twice a 12 months (however could also be extra relying in your state of affairs). Talk to your physician about how usually having this check is best for you.
3. Prioritize dietary modifications and weight administration.
Focus on high-fiber (non-starchy) vegetables and fruit, wholesome fat, and lean proteins. Stick to water and attempt to keep away from sugary sodas and sports activities drinks. Since carbohydrates (together with starches and sugar) will enhance blood sugar ranges, observe portion management when consuming carbohydrates like bread and pasta. This will assist regulate your blood sugar ranges. Small weight loss plan tweaks will assist you in relation to weight administration as properly. If you’re obese, shedding simply ten kilos could also be sufficient to enhance management of your diabetes.
Nutritional counseling: If you need assist making dietary modifications, our Health Coaches can direct you to a registered dietitian who can assist you provide you with a sustainable diabetes meal plan.
If you’re an Independence member, you might be lined for six free annual visits with a registered dietitian. Check to see in case your well being plan covers vitamin counseling. To discover a taking part registered dietitian, Independence members can use our Find a Doctor Tool or name 1-800-ASK-BLUE (1-800-275-2583) (TTY: 711).
If you reside in an space the place contemporary produce is tough to search out, our Health Coaches can assist you get entry to contemporary produce. For instance, many native church buildings and neighborhood facilities distribute produce for gratis. Find meals distribution websites in Philadelphia.
4. Move as a lot as you possibly can day by day.
The American Diabetes Association recommends that adults with kind 2 diabetes get not less than 150 minutes of reasonable to vigorous depth cardio train per week, reminiscent of strolling, swimming, biking, or working. They additionally suggest two to a few periods of resistance train or power coaching per week, reminiscent of yoga or weightlifting. It’s additionally necessary to restrict sitting, and break up lengthy bouts of sedentary exercise by getting up and strolling round each half-hour.
This can appear intimidating should you’re not very lively, however the secret’s to start out small.* Swapping out a couple of habits for more healthy ones is extra sustainable than overhauling your life all of sudden. Start by together with extra bodily exercise in your each day life — use the steps as a substitute of the elevator, go on a stroll after lunch day by day, or bike to the library as a substitute of driving. Activity trackers and apps reminiscent of Strava, MapMyWalk, or FitBit can be extremely motivating.
5. Take medicine, if wanted.
Along with way of life modifications, you might also want medicine that will help you management blood sugar ranges. This may embody tablets or injectable medicine reminiscent of insulin. You additionally could have to take medicine for hypertension, excessive ldl cholesterol, despair, or different circumstances. Your major care physician will decide whether or not you want medicine to assist maintain your blood sugar ranges regular and scale back your threat of coronary heart assault and stroke.
Additional Resources
A diabetes analysis may be powerful, however keep in mind, you aren’t alone. We have quite a lot of assets obtainable that will help you navigate your new analysis with confidence.
*Always seek the advice of together with your physician earlier than beginning a brand new train routine.