Type 2 Diabetes: Ten Tips for the Newly Diagnosed

Most people who are diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes know that they are not in the best of health. They are most likely overweight and get tired easily and don't expect a clean bill of health from their doctor. At the same time, hearing the diagnosis "diabetes" can be a shock. No one wants to have a chronic, possibly life threatening illness. No one wants to make radical changes to their diet and possibly lifestyle. The truth is though that being diagnosed with diabetes just might be the wake up call you need, so that you can make the changes necessary to have a long, healthy life.

Here are ten tips to help you learn about and cope with your illness.

1. Take a class. Taking a class aimed at newly diagnosed diabetics is the best way to learn how to take care of yourself. Ask your doctor if there are any classes in your area. If you live in a rural area, classes are sometimes held through telecommuting, and this might be an option.

2. Read up on nutrition. It is not unusual for doctors to give slim pamphlets containing a food exchange program to their diabetes patients and to tell them to follow it with no other instructions. These pamphlets usually list a very limited selection of foods and give only very limited instructions for figuring out how to use your own favorites with the program. By reading up on nutrition, you will be able to make better decisions about what is best for you.

3. If you don't already, start exercising regularly. Even a ten minute walk once everyday is better than nothing. When that becomes habit, you can add to it.

4. Don't give up occasional treats. Changing your diet is hard enough without giving up everything you love. In the past, diabetics were told to cut all sources of sugar out of their diets. Now nutritionists know that sugar carbs aren't really any different from other carbs, and that there is a place in your diet for the sweets you love.

5. Test your blood sugar as often as possible. Only by seeing how your blood sugar reacts to the foods in your diet and the exercise you do, as well as to your medication or insulin regiment if you have one, will you be able to make adjustments to get it in line. The more often you test, the more you will be able to see patterns and make changes when necessary.

6. Expect to be overwhelmed at times! Finding out you have diabetes is not easy. Making changes in your life is not easy. Expect to experience some of the stages of mourning. It is not unusual to feel yourself denying a problem exists one day and then being consumed by anger that you have to deal with this another day. If it gets real bad, seek out a support group or counselor.

7. If your smoke, seek help to stop smoking. Diabetes increases the risk of heart disease. Smoking just adds fuel to the fire. It is not easy to quit. Tell your doctor you need help and find a way that works for you.

8. Make an appointment with an eye doctor. Make sure that you tell him that you were recently diagnosed with diabetes. Diabetes can cause blindness so don't put off regular eye check-ups.

9. Be careful not to run out of your medication and testing supplies! Call in prescriptions well in advance of need and make an appointment with yourself to go pick them up.

10. Make sure that your close family members and friends know how to help you in an emergency. Ideally at least one person who lives with you should be trained to recognize and be prepared to handle incidents involving low or high blood sugar. If you live on your own, have an emergency contact get in touch with you on a regular basis.