What to do After Being Diagnosed With Type 2 Diabetes
So you have just been told by your doctor that you have the dreaded type 2 diabetes; now what? Well, this is a common condition, so keep that in mind. Many people are living with it and you would never even know it. The important thing now is to listen o your doctor’s orders and live the healthiest lifestyle possible.
Managing Your Glucose Levels
This is often the first step of the process after diagnosis. Your doctor will give you more information on monitoring your blood glucose levels, including whether or not you need to test the levels at home with a meter, or how often to return to the doctor for a check-up and repeat blood test. Managing your levels comes down to medical treatment and lifestyle changes.
Taking Medications
Make sure you follow your doctor’s advice about taking medications. Not everyone with type 2 diabetes takes them right after diagnosis. With many people, the condition is caught early, so the doctor wants to try less invasive treatments first. This usually involves changing some of your lifestyle habits and making sure you understand what you can and can’t eat, along with other ways to reduce your blood sugar levels naturally. However, if your doctor advises you to start taking medications, make sure you do so or you could be facing a lot of more serious health complications.
Understand That Diabetes is Progressive
You need to understand that even if you feel fine right now and your blood sugar levels are relatively low, it can get worse over time if you don’t manage it properly. Type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease, meaning it can worsen over time, making it that much more important that you know how to monitor and manage the condition. Doing this will help to reduce your risk for potential complications like heart disease, stroke, vision problems, and nerve damage.
Keep Changing Your Lifestyle Habits
Along with following your doctor’s orders for managing the condition, you also want to keep working on living the healthiest life possible. Start recording what you eat and trying to make better choices, reducing your carb intake, and watching the excess sugar. Exercise regularly by focusing on cardio and weight training, and work on reducing your alcohol intake and quit smoking. Consult in a professional who can help with diet and exercise if you need to.
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