You get a call from your doctor’s office to come in and discuss some test results. “Let’s get right to it,” your doctor says. “I’m afraid the test shows you have type 2 diabetes.” Maybe she hands you some pamphlets and the phone number for a diabetes clinic. She then says something about what to do next. But you are so upset that all you can hear through the fog of emotion is the odd word: diet … exercise … medication. But mainly, you hear your own voice inside your head: “Not me!”
A diagnosis of diabetes is definitely nothing to shrug at, so you’re right to be concerned. But there are also many useful, trustworthy resources available that will help you understand what’s happening to your body and equip you to manage it for the best possible outcome.
What is type 2 diabetes?
Insulin is a hormone your body produces to use the fuel glucose (a simple form of sugar) that your body makes from foods such as potatoes, fruit and bread, as well as from sugary foods such as ice cream and doughnuts. If you have type 2 diabetes, either your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin, or your body doesn’t properly use the insulin it does make. Either way, glucose builds up in your blood. (This is what “high blood sugar” means.) Diabetes doesn’t go away by itself. Left alone or not managed well, it can cause heart disease, kidney problems, blindness and nerve damage leading to amputation.
The good news
Your doctor will set a target range for your blood sugar level, and if you keep within that range, you can live a long and healthy life. To do this, you’ll need to:
• Eat healthy meals and snacks.
• Get regular exercise.
• Take your diabetes medication as prescribed.
• Check your glucose levels regularly. As well, there are lifestyle changes that can make a positive difference (and not just if you have diabetes):
• Don’t smoke.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Manage your stress.
• Stay active
• Keep your blood pressure and cholesterol levels on target.
• Visit your dentist and eye doctor regularly.
Many people, at least at first, can manage their blood sugar through diet and exercise alone. But keep in mind that diabetes is a progressive, lifelong condition that can be managed — but not cured. Over time, controlling your blood sugar may get harder, and your healthcare team may need to adjust your diet, activity level or medication.
