Are You Now A Person With Diabetes?

If you read the previous blog about “Are You An Undiagnosed Person With Diabetes?”, you will want to read this about what to do if you are diagnosed with prediabetes or diabetes. If you were not diagnosed with either of these, then consider that you must continue to undergo at least an annual test for diabetes. The older you are, the more important this becomes.

If you were diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, then you will have more than likely been put on medications and been advised to watch your diet. Hopefully your doctor will have referred you to a dietitian and maybe to a diabetes educator. These should be specializing in diabetes or they may be less than useful to you. Occasionally you will encounter a nurse that specializes in diabetes and some of the complications from diabetes including depression and cardiovascular disease, but not limited only to these.

Start reading as much information as you are able. I suggest starting with two of my blogs here and here. One is about printed materials and the other about some of the many internet sources.

Do not go into panic mode. There are many tasks to accomplish and the more knowledge you obtain the easier dealing with diabetes it will be. First, you must make a lifestyle change. Some say severe, others say to do it gradually. This will depend on you and either way this change should be considered a permanent one as this will give you the best overall means to manage diabetes and prevent or delay its complications.

Next, if you have no medical limitations, you need to start an exercise regimen in something you like doing. Please talk to your doctor before starting. Your doctor may have advice you need to follow depending on your condition and weight.

If you have prediabetes, please do not take it lightly or dismiss it, and proceed as if you have diabetes because your pancreas is not functioning properly and some damage has been done. It is still possible to delay the onset of full blown diabetes and complications for many years, but only if you take this seriously and are able to follow a regimen of nutrition and exercise.

Read this blog for more details on insulin resistance.  For a discussion of prediabetes read this and my blog here.