Diabetes - 4 Tips To Start Out
Diabetes, when properly controlled is a disease that is liveable with. There is no cure, however, but it is perfectly possible to live a near normal life, albeit with some changes.
This article is an attempt to provide some helpful ideas, especially for those who have only just been recently diagnosed.
Start with yourself.
One of the problems with diabetes is that with the correct medication and monitoring, you are almost left to yourself. It's not a disease that keeps you in hospital until you recover. You have it for life. The fact that medicine is self administered and blood glucose levels self monitored means that contact with your doctor is kept to a minimum. In the early days, this can be a concern. So what you need to do, is put yourself at the centre of your concern. Be careful not to marginalize others, and don't become self-absorbed, but the fact is there is a lot of information available and you need to explore it and discover how best to look after yourself.
Be the boss of you.
Don't become a robot, automatically taking medication and leaving it at that. Yes, your medical team will give you the tablets etc that you need, but you must stay involved. For example, taking your blood sugar level at certain times during the day is good, but try and record it too. This way you will see how different foods etc. affect your sugars etc. Too high or low is uncomfortable, and in time you will start to recognise the feelings (drowsiness etc.) that relate to different levels of blood sugars. But it is far easier to maintain a written record as that way you can chart your progress towards stability. It takes willpower, so be the boss of you!
Enlist your nearest and dearest.
Be careful not to appear too hard done by! However, whilst it's easy to turn into a "diabetic bore", and get on everyone's nerves as you demand special treatment, it is true that your diet will probably have to change. Most of us with diabetes were overwieght when we were diagnosed. So you need to involve your family or those you live with. But be careful, don't come across as demanding, just quietly explain what you need and how they can help. Those who love you will want to help, but beware - it's often those closest to us on whom we take out our anger!
Work with professionals.
Your doctor and healthcare professionals cannot manage you 100% of the time. Perhaps one of the problems with diabetes is that unlike other chronic diseases, there is no need to stay in hospital to be treated until you recover. With proper self monitoring one can live a near normal life, but your medical team are there to offer advice and support. Get to know how the system in your area works and make use of it.
Perhaps you can see, that although it may often seem like you are rather alone in this, talking to and handling those around you properly can provide a wide ranging support network, and in so doing, make you feel reassured and in control.
Diabetes, when properly controlled is a disease that is liveable with. There is no cure, however, but it is perfectly possible to live a near normal life, albeit with some changes.
This article is an attempt to provide some helpful ideas, especially for those who have only just been recently diagnosed.
Start with yourself.
One of the problems with diabetes is that with the correct medication and monitoring, you are almost left to yourself. It's not a disease that keeps you in hospital until you recover. You have it for life. The fact that medicine is self administered and blood glucose levels self monitored means that contact with your doctor is kept to a minimum. In the early days, this can be a concern. So what you need to do, is put yourself at the centre of your concern. Be careful not to marginalize others, and don't become self-absorbed, but the fact is there is a lot of information available and you need to explore it and discover how best to look after yourself.
Be the boss of you.
Don't become a robot, automatically taking medication and leaving it at that. Yes, your medical team will give you the tablets etc that you need, but you must stay involved. For example, taking your blood sugar level at certain times during the day is good, but try and record it too. This way you will see how different foods etc. affect your sugars etc. Too high or low is uncomfortable, and in time you will start to recognise the feelings (drowsiness etc.) that relate to different levels of blood sugars. But it is far easier to maintain a written record as that way you can chart your progress towards stability. It takes willpower, so be the boss of you!
Enlist your nearest and dearest.
Be careful not to appear too hard done by! However, whilst it's easy to turn into a "diabetic bore", and get on everyone's nerves as you demand special treatment, it is true that your diet will probably have to change. Most of us with diabetes were overwieght when we were diagnosed. So you need to involve your family or those you live with. But be careful, don't come across as demanding, just quietly explain what you need and how they can help. Those who love you will want to help, but beware - it's often those closest to us on whom we take out our anger!
Work with professionals.
Your doctor and healthcare professionals cannot manage you 100% of the time. Perhaps one of the problems with diabetes is that unlike other chronic diseases, there is no need to stay in hospital to be treated until you recover. With proper self monitoring one can live a near normal life, but your medical team are there to offer advice and support. Get to know how the system in your area works and make use of it.
Perhaps you can see, that although it may often seem like you are rather alone in this, talking to and handling those around you properly can provide a wide ranging support network, and in so doing, make you feel reassured and in control.
About the Author:
Toby has been living with type 2 diabetes for just about 2 years now but is determined to lead a near normal life. Have a look at his new website showing the best deals on round table cloths at http://www.roundtableclothsreview.com
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