Whether or not you know someone who has type 2 diabetes, you probably have many questions if you're newly diagnosed. What causes it? How will you manage it? What should you do now? Whatever your questions, it's important to know that you're not alone. About 1 in 10 adults in the U.S. are diagnosed with diabetes, and most of them live with type 2. Some groups have a higher rate of the condition. It affects 1 in 5 Hispanic adults, compared with 1 in 8 White adults. Because so many people have the disease, there's a lot of information and support for you.
Understand the Risks of Your New Diagnosis
Diabetes is a silent disease. Many people have no clue they have diabetes until their primary care provider (PCP) diagnoses it. And then once they learn they have diabetes, they might not understand how serious it is. After all, there's nothing to see, unlike a broken leg or a stroke. But diabetes needs to be managed. If your blood sugar stays too high for too long, it begins to damage your body over time. Managing blood sugar reduces the risk of complications, and the sooner you begin, the better.
Keep in mind, having diabetes doesn't mean you will have any of these complications. It just means you are at higher risk of getting them. Good communication with your diabetes care team, going for regular checkups, and following your treatment plan can help reduce that risk.
Processing your diagnosis
Learning about your diagnosis can be overwhelming, especially if you know someone who has type 2 diabetes who has had complications. That's understandable. It can take time to process it all because there is a lot to learn and to accept.
If the diagnosis was a surprise, you might not be prepared to learn more right away. Again, that's understandable. When you go home, you can start preparing for your next appointment so you feel a bit more in control of what's happening.
Things you can do to prepare:
Bring a list of written questions to your next appointment. While you're at home, every time you think of something, write it down so you have that list ready. It's also OK to discuss your fears about living with diabetes.
Ask who will be treating you and if there's a diabetes care team. A diabetes care team is best to help you, but whether your doctor's office or clinic has one and who is on it depend on the size of the practice or even where you live. Ideally, a diabetes care team would include some of these professionals:
- Primary care provider (main doctor)
- Endocrinologist(diabetes specialist)
- Diabetes care and education specialist, who will teach you about the disease, but also the tools you might need, like a glucose (sugar) meter, which checks your blood sugar, or a blood pressure monitor if your blood pressure is high
- Registered dietitian
- Ophthalmologist or optometrist (eye doctors)
- Podiatristor certified nurse foot specialist
- Audiologist (hearing specialist)
- Dentist
- Nephrologist (kidney specialist)
- Psychologist, psychiatrist, therapist, or social worker
- Exercise specialist
Ask someone to go with you to your appointment. A family member or good friend can listen and catch things you might miss. They might also think of questions you haven't thought of.
Ask about support. Ask your doctor's office if there are any local resources or support groups that you can reach out to.
Regular checkups
When you first hear that you'll need regular checkups, you'll probably think about seeing your doctor, but there are other checkups you'll need as well. They're all aiming toward preventing complications and dealing with issues as soon as they're found. This means seeing specialists to check your:
- Eyes
- Kidneys
- Feet
- Hearing
- Teeth and gums
They might not notice some sores or wounds that can become infected and lead to further complications, like sepsis. A foot care nurse or a podiatrist can monitor your foot health and refer you for treatment if you need it.
Research shows that people with type 2 diabetes who keep their blood sugar levels within their ideal range have fewer complications. One study showed that people who followed a program that targeted their blood sugar and fats had half the number of heart-related problems than those who didn't, and they also had a much lower risk of nerve and eye damage.
Your Emotional Health
It's true that many people who have type 2 diabetes have risk factors for having the disease, like not being physically active or being overweight. But there are many other type 2 diabetes risk factors, such as age, family history, and other health conditions, like polycystic ovary syndrome. So regardless of the risk factors, it's important that you think forward to how to manage the disease, rather than thinking back, placing blame on yourself, or feeling guilty.
Other feelings you might have after getting a type 2 diabetes diagnosis include:
- Shock
- Denial
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Anger
- Grief
These are all normal emotions after getting a diabetes diagnosis.
Talk about your feelings and reactions to your diagnosis. Whether you prefer to meet other people with diabetes in person or chat online, speaking with others who understand what you're going through can be very helpful. They can help you identify your feelings and share what helped them. One place you can start looking for like-minded people is your local chapter of the American Diabetes Association. Reach out to them to be connected to local chapter offices across the country.
Seek professional help. If you're anxious or depressed, you might need more than what support groups or family and friends can offer. That's where a therapist, counselor, or a psychologist can help you identify problems and find ways to cope.
Include your family and friends. How much you want to share with others is up to you, but it's important that you talk about your diabetes with the people who are close to you and with those you spend a lot of time with, like co-workers. Not only do they need to know about the physical issues, like what might happen if you become hypoglycemic (your blood sugar drops too low), but it would help for them to know some of the new challenges you're facing, like changing your diet, being more active, and taking medications.
Gather the right tools. A tool for helping manage your diabetes can be as simple as a notebook or as advanced as an app. The right tools for you are the ones you'll use. You need something to keep track of your diet, your blood sugar levels, and physical activity on a daily basis. You'll also need to keep track of appointments, prescriptions, and more. Some people benefit from other types of technology, like smartwatches and reminder apps. You might even benefit from a relaxation or meditation app to try to relieve the stress or anxiety you may be feeling. It might take some trial and error to find what works for you, but keep trying.
Gain confidence. Yes, there's a lot to learn when you have diabetes – from checking your blood sugar levels to managing your diet. You might make some mistakes, but the more you learn and the more you take care of yourself, the better you'll be. You'll figure it out. Be realistic, and that will lead to confidence.
Living with type 2 diabetes is a journey. As you learn more about your body, and how it reacts to certain foods, activities, and stressors, you'll be more prepared to manage your diabetes.
Show Sources
Photo Credit: E+/Getty Images
SOURCES:
American Diabetes Association: "Life doesn't end with type 2 diabetes."
CDC: "Type 2 Diabetes," "Put the Brakes on Diabetes Complications," "Your Diabetes Care Team."
Diabetes Canada: "Mental health and diabetes."
Diabetes UK: "Diabetes and Your Emotions."
The Journal of the American Medical Association: "Prevalence of Diabetes by Race and Ethnicity in the United States, 2011-2016."
Mayo Clinic: "Type 2 diabetes."
Metabolism: "Intensified multifactorial intervention and cardiovascular outcome in type 2 diabetes: the Steno-2 study."
NIH StatPearls: "Diabetic Foot Care."
