5 Ways Your Life Changes After a Diabetes Diagnosis
If you’ve received a diabetes diagnosis, your mind might feel overloaded, and you likely will have questions. What does this mean? Can you still eat your favorite pasta dish? What does “managing your blood sugar” look like in your daily life?
At Elk Medical in Brooklyn, New York, Saka Kazeem, MD, and his team can help you manage your diabetes diagnosis with personalized care. Our expert team creates a treatment plan, monitors your progress, and helps you with the tools to manage your diabetes.
Before we get into the lifestyle changes you can expect after a diabetes diagnosis, here’s a quick refresher on the most common type of diabetes.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic illness affecting the way your body processes blood sugar (glucose). If your body doesn’t produce enough or can’t use insulin effectively, it can lead to long-term health issues.
In this blog, we’ll focus on the most common form of diabetes, Type 2. It’s linked to obesity and a sedentary lifestyle, so it’s not surprising that lifestyle changes can have a positive impact on managing it.
5 lifestyle changes after a diabetes diagnosis
A diabetes diagnosis is about more than the right medication. It requires lifestyle changes that impact your overall health and well-being.
1. Dietary changes
One big shift with a diabetes diagnosis is in your approach to food. Managing diabetes requires careful monitoring of blood sugar levels and what you eat and when. Food plays a critical role in stabilizing your blood sugar.
Reducing processed foods and sugars is always a key component of healthy diabetes management. The American Diabetes Association recommends a diet rich in nonstarchy vegetables, whole grains, and legumes. By working with a nutritionist, you may be able to manage carbohydrates and learn how to keep your blood sugar within a safe level.
2. Exercise is non-negotiable
Besides diet, exercise becomes another cornerstone of your diabetes management. A study in the American Journal of Medicine Open reports regular aerobic exercise can manage blood glucose levels, while resistance training benefits those with insulin sensitivity.
3. You need more medical support
A diabetes diagnosis requires a lot of learning, and your medical team can support you. Dr. Kazeem and his team guide people through the early stages of a diabetes diagnosis and provide regular checkups. Learning to monitor and manage blood sugars and assess potential concerns can help prevent long-term complications.
Long-term diabetic complications include vision loss, foot amputation, and heart concerns. Regular monitoring of your health can help avoid these issues.
4. Mental and emotional shifts
Emotions always accompany a life-changing diagnosis. It’s common to feel stress, fear, anxiety, and maybe even depression when receiving a diabetes diagnosis.
Adjusting to the diagnosis often requires professional support. Diabetes support groups and counseling are always available. With support and learning to manage this chronic illness, you may find that you feel empowered.
5. Reassess your priorities
A diabetes diagnosis is an opportunity to make radically healthy changes in your life. It’s not easy to create new habits, but it is possible.
For some, prioritizing a healthy lifestyle leads to better overall health, better sleep, and even feeling more relaxed.
Expert advice
If you’re feeling overwhelmed from a diabetes diagnosis, Elk Medical in Brooklyn, New York, can help you regain your sense of self by customizing treatment plans and answering all your questions. Diabetes doesn’t define you; it’s simply a new (and manageable) chapter. You can schedule your appointment online or by calling 718-773-0883.