Six Ways to Help Your Spouse Cope with Diabetes

Diabetes is an illness that affects the entire family, and not just the person with the diagnosis. When your spouse has diabetes, it can become a daily struggle. Your family routine will have to change to accommodate your spouse's needs and you'll need to resist the urge to "nag" about taking medications and maintaining blood sugar levels.

If you and your spouse work as a team, coping with diabetes won't be as much of an issue. It's when you allow diabetes to come between you and your spouse that things become unnecessarily complicated. Don't allow diabetes to ruin your health and your marriage.

Don't Christen Yourself the Diabetes Police

You can help your spouse to cope with diabetes by offering support and guidance, but you shouldn't allow your desire for your spouse to follow his or her doctor's instructions to rule your marital life. Many people will resent the intrusion of a spouse who constantly asks about what they've had to eat and when they tested their blood-glucose levels. It can drive a wedge between you and your spouse, so talk about how you can help one another to stay on top of the disease. Remember, your spouse is sick -- not you.

Apply Healthy Habits to All Family Members

Just because your spouse is the only one with diabetes doesn't mean that he or she has to be the only one who eats right and lives a healthy lifestyle. Often, people cope better with diabetes when they don't feel completely different from the rest of the family. It isn't fair to sit around the dinner table eating apple cobbler while your spouse looks on in lust. Instead, adopt diabetes-friendly diets all around and get used to cooking healthy, nutritious meals.

Schedule Exercise as a Family

If you are sitting on the couch watching television and demanding that your spouse go for a run, things aren't going to go well. You can help your spouse cope with diabetes by organizing exercise as a family. Suggest that you and your spouse (and the kids) go for a walk to the park as an evening activity. This makes it seem less of a chore and more of a family outing that everyone can enjoy.

Become a Diabetes Expert

Many of the problems that arise between couples when one partner has diabetes is lack of understanding. If you don't know what it means to have diabetes -- or the complications that can transpire -- you'll be less prepared when something does happen and more worried that something will. Rather than allowing your imagination to run wild, and therefore putting a strain on your marriage, help your spouse to cope with diabetes by learning everything you can. Read books, ask your doctor for literature, and use helpful Internet sites like WebMD.com.

Flow with the Mood Swings

One of the most common problems associated with diabetes is mood swings, which can occur quite often and are a result of fluctuating insulin levels. Help your spouse cope with mood swings by rolling with the punches and trying not to take it personally. Since your spouse sees you more often than others, you will probably become the unintended target of irritability.

Talk About Sexual Problems

It isn't uncommon for sufferers of diabetes to encounter sexual problems, particularly in the months following diagnosis. There are both psychological and physiological causes of these problems, and you'll have to learn to talk about them. Make sure to keep the lines of communication open as often as possible so that your spouse feels comfortable expressing his or her fears or insecurities.