How to Cope With a Diabetes Diagnosis

Hearing that you have diabetes can come as a great shock. You may wonder about changes that you will have to make to your diet, about checking your blood glucose levels or about what the diagnosis means for your long-term future. If you have gotten a diabetes diagnosis, coping skills will go a long way towards helping you successfully manage your condition. Here's some things you'll need to do in order to cope with diabetes.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Understand your diagnosis. When you get a diabetes diagnosis, be sure to ask your doctor any questions you may have about your diagnosis. Find out about treatment options and about what the diagnosis means for your own health situation. It may be hard to come up with all of your questions at once, so be sure to talk to your doctor when questions or concerns come up in the future.

2. Assemble a support system. Diabetics will need the help of several different people to successfully manage their diabetes. Your support team will include your doctor (a primary care doctor or an endocrinologist), a nutritionist or dietitian, your family and your friends.

3. Consider joining a support group for people with diabetes. Meeting with others who also have diabetes can help you cope with your diagnosis. You can see how they are successfully managing their diabetes and living a full life with the illness. You can also get diet ideas, tips on checking your blood glucose and emotional support. Ask your doctor for information about support groups in your area.

4. Begin implementing a new healthy lifestyle. Start exercising and change your eating habits. Take your prescribed medications as indicated and check your blood sugar often. Be sure to follow all recommendations from your doctor and your dietitian or nutritionist.

5. Know that you can manage your diabetes and live a long and productive life. By listening to your doctor, making healthy changes in your lifestyle and by having a positive attitude, you can successfully control diabetes. Diabetes is not a death sentence.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure to keep all of your doctor visits and blood tests when you have diabetes.
• Ask for help when you need it. Your medical team, family and friends want to support you and see you succeed.
• The information in this article is not to serve as a substitute for regular medical advice and care. Always talk to your own doctor if you have any questions or concerns about your health.

Who Can Help:

• Overweight? Lose 30+ lbs without pills or diets- guaranteed
• Arthroscopic Alternative to Spine Surgery- For Back & Neck - Free MRI Review by our Doctors. Get your life back!
• Do you suffer from back pain? Learn more about our Medicare approved back support system. Medicare covers 85% of the cost.