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L
earning that you have a life-
long disease is never wel-
come news. That discovery
can be especially distressing
if your doctor has just told you that
you have type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes, after all, affects almost
every part of your body. It can dam-
age your eyes, nerves, kidneys, feet
and gums. It also makes you espe-
cially vulnerable to a heart attack or
stroke.
Still, take a deep breath if you’re
newly diagnosed. Good blood sugar
control and other safeguards can
help you stay healthy. Moreover, dia-
betes doesn’t need to define you. You
are much more than your disease.
What follows are the basic ingre-
dients for a successful and satisfying
life with the disease. Ask your doctor
any questions you have. He or she
will be your best source of guidance.
First things first
Perhaps the first thing you need
to know about diabetes is its rela-
tion to blood sugar (glucose). Hav-
ing diabetes means that your blood
sugar is too high. Having type 2
diabetes, in particular, means that
your body doesn’t use insulin—
the hormone that regulates blood
sugar—effectively. Either your body
doesn’t make enough insulin, has
trouble using it or both.
A fundamental part of avoid-
ing complications is keeping your
blood sugar in a healthy range. You
might be able to do this with diet
and exercise alone. But if lifestyle
changes don’t bring your blood
sugar down to a safe level, you may
need to take medications, such as
diabetes pills and insulin shots.
How will you know if your
treatments are working?
One way is to have an A1C test
at least twice a year. This lab test
reveals your average blood sugar for
the past two to three months. If your
number is 7 percent or higher, you
may need to change your diabetes
care plan.
You might also need to test your
blood sugar several times a day with
a blood glucose meter. Most meters
work by analyzing a drop of your
blood. Your blood sugar level then
shows up on a screen. Your doctor
WHEN THE DIAGNOSIS IS DIABETES
Don't let it define you
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call us at 503-325-4321