There are several things that people with diabetes wish they knew before they were diagnosed. The most common is that they can care for themselves by understanding their diagnosis and taking it to heart. But other things are equally important. These include what medications they need, what they can eat, and how to manage their symptoms when they are experiencing them. For people with diabetes, there is a vast difference between “I have diabetes” and “I am diabetic”. Most people with diabetes don’t understand how much it impacts their life.
This blog was written by Dr. John Sperling, the Chief Medical Officer of Sanofi US, Inc. John shares his story of being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in 1998 when he was 24. He talks about his struggles as a newly diagnosed patient and how he learned to manage his disease, including how he used to eat. John explains how he has changed his diet and lifestyle and made diabetes manageable.
John shares the top 10 things that people with diabetes wish they knew before being diagnosed, and some of them are surprising. This list is designed to be useful to anyone, especially those who have been diagnosed with diabetes because most of us know nothing about what the future holds for us after we are diagnosed. There are many things that we do not know until we are diagnosed. It is not just about the blood sugar level or taking insulin; it is about the long-term impacts on our hearts, our eyes, our kidneys, and our brain. The long-term effects of diabetes are not always apparent to people who have not yet been diagnosed with diabetes.
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic disease that requires ongoing treatment to prevent complications. There are two types of diabetes, type 1 and type 2, requiring different treatments. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder that causes the pancreas to stop producing insulin, the hormone that regulates blood sugar levels. People with type 1 diabetes must take insulin injections. People with type 2 diabetes have problems with either the insulin receptors in the body or the cells’ ability to respond to insulin. It is estimated that about 20 million Americans have diabetes. About 1 in 4 are unaware that they have the disease.
What are some causes of diabetes?
Everyone has heard of diabetes, but what is it? Diabetes is a chronic condition that occurs when the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or can’t use the insulin it produces. People who have diabetes have higher-than-normal blood sugar levels. There are different types of diabetes, including type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, and more. The most common type of diabetes is type 2 diabetes, which occurs when the body stops producing enough insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps the body process sugars from food.
How to manage diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic condition that requires constant monitoring. Diabetes can impact your eyes, heart, kidneys, feet, legs, and overall health. There is no cure for diabetes, but there are things you can do to help control the disease. You first need to know that there is no magic pill. You can’t just buy a diabetes medication and expect to solve all your problems. Instead, it would help if you worked on your diet and lifestyle.
How to prevent diabetes?
Diabetes has become a severe issue in recent years. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 1 in 3 Americans have diabetes. Although the number of people living with diabetes is growing, diabetes-related deaths have dropped in recent years. This is partly because more people with diabetes are getting treatment and partly because the CDC recommends a series of lifestyle changes that can prevent or delay the development of diabetes. Diabetes is a severe disease that requires a lifetime commitment to managing the disease.
How to control diabetes?
The Diabetes Self-Management Education program aims to empower patients to manage their condition. The program uses educational tools such as patient handouts, instructional videos, and interactive modules to achieve this. In addition, three components of the program focus on providing patients with the necessary skills to help them better manage their disease.
The first is self-care support. This component provides patients access to resources and programs that can help them live healthier lives. The second is behavioral change. It involves training patients in behaviors such as eating healthy, exercising and monitoring blood sugar levels. Lastly, the third component is communication skills. These skills teach patients how to work with their healthcare team and family members to ensure they can manage their condition.
How do I know if I have diabetes?
Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not correctly use sugar for energy. When you have diabetes, your blood glucose (or blood sugar) levels are too high. The pancreas cannot produce enough insulin, so the glucose stays in your blood instead of being used by cells for energy. Over time, high blood sugar levels can damage the eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart, and blood vessels.
Frequently asked questions about diabetes.
Q: What are some misconceptions about diabetes?
A: Many people think it’s just high blood sugar levels, but diabetes is more than that. It affects the kidneys, eyes, heart, brain, nerves, and more.
Q: How did you develop diabetes?
A: I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes in 2011 after my doctor found out I ate very little.
Q: Why do you feel it’s important to share your story?
A: I want people who are overweight or obese to know that you can still lead an active life and enjoy a happy, healthy lifestyle by following a balanced diet and exercise plan.
Q: What advice would you give someone who wants to get started on a diet and lifestyle change?
A: Don’t wait until you’re diagnosed with diabetes to start changing your diet and lifestyle. Begin now.
Myths about diabetes
1. Diabetes is easy to control.
2. Diabetes can only occur in older people.
3. Diabetics have to keep a food diary.
4. Diabetics must exercise more.
Conclusion
I’m going to tell you a secret. It’s not fun to have diabetes. But it’s also not as bad as you might think. People with diabetes live longer than the general population. The good news is that there are several things you can do to improve your health and prevent complications. The first is to eat a healthy diet. This means including plenty of vegetables and fruits, lean protein, and whole grains. I’m going to show you a few quick tips on managing blood sugar levels and reducing the risk of diabetes-related complications.
