Information for the Newly Diagnosed Diabetic

You may have gone to the doctor because you were feeling a little off or it could even have been for a routine physical. Perhaps you had gained (or suddenly dropped) several pounds. Whatever your reasons for the visit, your doctor has informed you that you are diabetic. Chances are you are one of the 90%-95% of diabetics with Type 2, or non-insulin dependant, diabetes.

What does that mean?

In layman's terms, it means that your body is having trouble using and/or properly storing sugar (glucose). You may not be producing enough insulin and/or your cells may be resisting some of the insulin you are producing, resulting in excess glucose in your bloodstream.

It may surprise you to realize that your body has probably been working extra hard to rid itself of some of that extra sugar. You may have noticed that you've been thirstier lately and probably urinating more frequently than in the past. Your skin may be dry or your lips chapped. You may be experiencing other symptoms of dehydration. Water is essential to the metabolism of glucose and your body is probably trying desperately to flush it out in your urine.

Now what?

Home Glucose Monitoring: Monitoring your blood sugar is critically important to managing your diabetes. You probably left your doctor's office with prescriptions for a glucose meter and test strips. If you haven't already filled them, you should do so immediately. Your pharmacist should be able to help you with selecting a monitor based on your needs and insurance situation.

Glucose meters generally come with a case, lancet device, lancets, instructions and a booklet for recording your test results. You should familiarize yourself with the meter and all its accessories and practice using the lancet device.

There are a few tips for effectively drawing a blood sample. First, you should ensure that the lancet device is set to lance deeply enough to cause you to bleed, but not so deeply that you experience excessive pain or difficulty clotting. Second, you can try shaking your hand below your heart to draw more blood to your fingers. Third, you can try squeezing your finger at the knuckle below the finger tip. This third tip may also help to numb the fingertip, alleviating some pain or anxiety.

If you are lancing just deeply enough to draw the sample you need, you may find that you prefer applying pressure using sterile cotton balls or gauze rather than applying bandages.

You should test according to the guidelines your doctor gave you. You may need to test frequently at first. However, gaining control of your sugar levels and familiarity with your body's reaction to various glucose concentrations in your bloodstream should lead to less frequent testing.

Diet

Diet modifications go hand in hand with a new diagnosis of diabetes. You will want to meet with a dietician or nutritionist (in addition to a Certified Diabetes Educator) as part of your diabetes education. The dietician or nutritionist will design a meal plan to help you manage your blood sugar, taking into consideration your current eating habits, weight loss goals and lifestyle.

You will want to begin tracking everything you eat and drink right away. When you go for your first appointment, you should bring your food diary, glucose testing records and a list of all your medications and dosages. If you have food allergies or special dietary considerations, remember to alert your dietician to those as well.

Exercise

Getting more exercise will help you manage your diabetes by helping your body to better metabolize glucose and contributing to a reduction in insulin resistance. You should work with your doctor and/or a personal trainer to develop an exercise plan.

Remember not to overdo it. Even adding a short walk into your daily routine will get you on the right track. Diabetes takes time, often years, to develop and it will take time to get it under control.

Medication

Take any medications exactly as prescribed. Make note of any side effects and remember to record your glucose levels according to your doctor's advice.

Laboratory Testing

If you haven't already had one, your doctor will probably order a special blood test called Hemoglobin A1c (aka HBA1c or A1c). This handy test will give you and your doctor an idea of what your blood sugar has been like for the past three months. Once you have good control of your diabetes, you can expect to have this test 2 - 4 times each year to monitor your progress. While you are working on getting your diabetes under control, your doctor may order it more often.

Diabetes is a serious condition, but you can manage it with the right combination of medication, diet, exercise and lifestyle modifications. While there is no cure for diabetes, you can live a long, healthy life by managing it wisely.

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