{"id":1733,"date":"2017-08-16T21:29:37","date_gmt":"2017-08-16T21:29:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/5f17670acf5743285.temporary.link\/rohsi.org\/?p=1733"},"modified":"2017-08-16T21:47:52","modified_gmt":"2017-08-16T21:47:52","slug":"type-2-diabetes-handle-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rohsi.org\/?p=1733","title":{"rendered":"TYPE 2 DIABETES: HOW TO HANDLE THE NEWS"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\"\"<\/b>TYPE 2 DIABETES: HOW TO HANDLE THE NEWS<\/b><\/p>\n

You have type 2 diabetes.\u201d It\u2019s a tough diagnosis to hear. Once you’re told, what should you do?<\/p>\n

First, take a breath. You may be surprised or even shocked, especially if your body feels the same as it always has. Some people feel scared, sad, or overwhelmed.<\/p>\n

But after you have time to think, remember this: You can live a long, healthy life with diabetes. You may need to make changes to your daily routine, but it doesn\u2019t have to stop you from doing the things you want and need to do.<\/p>\n

\u201cDiabetes can be controlled,\u201d says Gregory Dodell, MD, of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Health System in New York. \u201cIn addition to finding ways to live a healthier life, we have amazing tools that can help avoid complications.\u201d<\/p>\n

Get to the right mindset with these first steps:<\/b><\/p>\n

Accept the Challenge<\/b><\/p>\n

A shift in your thinking may help you feel better and move forward.<\/p>\n

\u201cThink of managing diabetes and improving your overall health as a tremendous challenge with a huge upside,\u201d Dodell says. Maybe you haven\u2019t been eating well or getting enough exercise. Maybe you need more of a work-life balance. Your diagnosis can be a wake-up call — in a good way.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe often take our health for granted,\u201d Dodell says. \u201cBut in the long run, it\u2019s difficult to accomplish all we do on a daily basis if we\u2019re not healthy.\u201d<\/p>\n

A change in mindset worked for Quinn Nystrom, a diabetes advocate in Baxter, MN, who has been living with the condition for 18 years.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I learned that I was the only one that could determine the quality of my life, it changed how I looked at the world,\u201d Nystrom says. \u201cDiabetes didn’t have to define me, I could use it to refine me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Get the Facts<\/b><\/p>\n

As you start diabetes care, you may hear a lot of topics and terms you don\u2019t know much about, like glucose levels, insulin, blood testing meters, or hypoglycaemia. But there are many ways to educate yourself about the condition and how to control it.<\/p>\n

National organizations, like the American Diabetes Association and the CDC, offer reliable information and resources on their websites. You can join an online community or an in-person support group. Also, ask your doctor for more information.<\/p>\n

\u201cOnce you understand what\u2019s happening, you learn how to better help yourself,\u201d Popat says. By talking more with her doctor and family, she got a better handle on living with diabetes.<\/p>\n

Look to Your Health Care Team<\/p>\n

You don\u2019t have to go through this alone. \u201cYour doctors are on your side,\u201d Dodell says. They\u2019ll give you tools and education to help you manage it.<\/p>\n

Make an appointment with a diabetes educator, who\u2019ll give you support and get you on the right track.<\/p>\n

He\/she may:<\/p>\n

Help you create a healthy lifestyle plan.<\/p>\n

Show you how to test and keep track of your blood sugar.<\/p>\n

Teach you about medication.<\/p>\n

Teach you how to buy supplies and use them safely.<\/p>\n

Watch for problems with your feet, skin, and eyes.<\/b><\/p>\n

To find a diabetes educator, ask your doctor for a recommendation. Or find one through the American Association of Diabetes Educators.<\/p>\n

Think about bringing a family member or friend with you to your appointments for support.<\/p>\n

Make Small Changes<\/b><\/p>\n

If you try to overhaul your lifestyle with big sweeping changes, you may get overwhelmed or discouraged.<\/p>\n

Instead, take small steps. Go for a walk every night after dinner. Swap one unhealthy food or drink for a better option. Over time, small changes add up to results.<\/p>\n

Make changes you can live with long term. Find healthy foods that taste good and are easy to prepare. Choose physical activities you enjoy. If you smoke, talk with your doctor about ways that you can quit for good. You\u2019re more likely to stick with lifestyle changes when they\u2019re easier to take on.<\/p>\n

Ask for Support<\/b><\/p>\n

Your family and friends can be a big help as you handle your diagnosis and start to make changes.<\/p>\n

Talk to them about how you\u2019re feeling. Ask them to start new habits with you.<\/p>\n

You can plan healthy family dinners and stock the pantry with good food choices. Try exercising together, too. Take evening walks, or buddy up for a gym class or morning swim. When you make plans with other people, you\u2019ll be less likely to skip your healthy routine.<\/p>\n

Most of all, give yourself time to adjust. It\u2019s normal to feel shaken up by your diagnosis. But as time goes on, you\u2019ll get used to your new normal. You may even be surprised how much better — and healthier — you feel.<\/p>\n

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