Newspaper Page Text
Health
Responding
j° a Diabetes
Diagnosis
You’ve just been diagnosed
with type 2 diabetes and vour mind is swirling
with questions.
How do I check my blood sugar? Must I give up
french tries? Will I have to give myself shots? Can
I just take pills to lower my blood sugar? This
isn’t the "bad kind” of diabetes, right?
Little wonder that you begin to feel panicky
when your doctor uses the word diabetes and
begins to explain about your body’s insulin resis
tance that causes sugar to accumulate in your
blood instead of being used for energy.
Diabetes is a chronic disease with serious conse
quences that can include heart disease, blindness,
kidney damage, nerve damage, sexual dysfunc
tion, loss of limb, and even death—but it’s also a
disorder that can be managed. Use your diagnosis
as a call to action. You may be able to prevent or
delay the most serious consequences.
"I always tell people: The good news is you're
in control. The bad news is you're in control,” says
Molly Brown, a certified diabetes educator for
United Health Care in Plano, Texas.
So shore up your determination. Here’s what you
can do:
• Learn your ABCs. Ask your doctor tor your
diabetes ABC numbers, and compare yours with
these optimal levels:
A 1 c: Results of 7 percent or less for this test of
average blood sugar
Blood pressure: less than 130/80
Cholesterol: low-density lipoprotein (LDL) less
than 100
If your numbers are high, "don’t be patient,"
advises Dr. Larry Deeb, a pediatric endocrinologist
in Tallahassee, Fla. The average person diagnosed
with type 2 diabetes already has had it for five years.
Another six months or year of living with high levels
of fat and sugar in the blood while you try to lose
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weight and start exercising could bring irreversible
damage. Your doctor should prescribe medicine to
correct your blood sugar level within three months.
Make sure your physician examines your feet and
teaches you about daily foot care, tests your urine
for kidney problems, and monitors your medications
during each visit. You may be referred to an endo
crinologist (hormone specialist), cardiologist (heart
specialist) or a podiatrist (foot specialist) if needed.
• Call your insurance company. Many offer
disease management programs, free videos and
booklets, and sometimes even a free blood sugar
testing device. Ask about medical services and
prescription coverage.
• Find a coach. Resources are available to coach
you both mentally and physically into a new life
style. Find a certified diabetes educator through
the American Association of Diabetes Educators
website, mvu.aadenet.org, and make an appoint
ment immediately. Your educator can explain how
to check your blood sugar, how often to check it,
and what the numbers mean. Though medica
tions will bring your numbers down, there are
side effects. In addition, type 2 diabetes gets worse
over time, so you’ll need to keep increasing your
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medications, and eventually you may need regular
insulin injections. Through diet and exercise, you
can slow the progression, lower your medications,
and possibly even eliminate the need to take pills.
Together, you and your coach can devise an effec
tive plan.
See a dietitian. Your educator can recom
mend a registered dietitian who specializes in
diabetes and will review what you typically
eat. Tell the truth! If you crave chocolate cake,
onion rings or alcohol, your dietitian will help
you determine how to incorporate a reasonable
amount into your diet without causing havoc to
your body. You will learn how to count carbo
hydrates, control food portions, reduce fat and
add fiber.
Get moving! If your physician gives the OK,
start a daily exercise program immediately.
“Get out and walk!" Deeb urges. Exercise helps
you lose weight, build muscle, speed metabo
lism and reduce blood sugar levels.
See an ophthalmologist. Even if you are
not experiencing vision problems, it’s important
to monitor your vision regularly to prevent
diabetic blindness. An eye specialist will look
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