Diabetes
You have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes...Now What?
If you have recently been diagnosed with Diabetes, you probably many questions regarding your diagnosis and care.
Diabetes is a chronic lifelong and progressive condition. Learning all you can about diabetes and how to manage it will help you feel more in control of your life. Taking care of your Diabetes can help you feel stronger and have more energy.
With help from your healthcare team, your family and friends, you can learn to take care of yourself and stay healthy. Your health care team guided by your primary care provider helps you manage your diabetes. You will need to learn about how diet affects Diabetes and the factors that affect blood sugar. You will learn how to monitor your blood sugar. Your health care team may also help you with handling your emotions about your diagnosis, such as anger and confusion.
You may see:
- An Endocrinologist, a doctor who specializes in treating people with Diabetes.
- A Registered Dietician, who helps you learn about food and healthy eating for managing Diabetes based on your desired weight, lifestyle, medication and other health goals.
- A Diabetes Educator, a nurse or dietician who teaches you about the day-to-day aspects of diabetes self-care.
- A health psychologist or social worker, who helps you with your feelings about living with Diabetes.
You may also see:
- Eye doctor, see them once a year, because Diabetes can affect the blood vessels in your eyes.
- Dentist, see your dentist every six months and let them know that you are diabetic. Diabetes increases the risk of gum disease.
- Podiatrist, a foot care specialist. Diabetes makes you prone to poor blood flow and nerve damage in the lower legs.
You and your healthcare team will create a plan to manage your Diabetes.
Following this plan can help you feel better now and limit future health problems. Please visit the following links for more information on Diabetes.
www.diabetes.org/home.jsp
www.cdc.gov/diabetes/
