Being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes can feel scary and overwhelming. You may be wondering what your next steps are and what life will be like after receiving the diagnosis. The good news is that you can have a healthy and fulfilling life with a proper treatment plan in place.
Type 2 diabetes does require a lifelong commitment to managing the disease, but by understanding what it takes you can set yourself up for success and reduce the risk of any complications. Let’s explore some key information that newly diagnosed patients need to know.
What is Type 2 Diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that impacts the way your body metabolizes sugar because of insulin resistance. This causes sugar levels in the bloodstream to rise leading to various health issues over time. If you don’t manage your condition properly, it can result in heart disease, kidney damage, and vision loss. This is why learning about management techniques is so important.
Weight Loss
One of the first things you can do after getting diagnosed with type 2 diabetes is to start managing a healthy weight, which may include weight loss for individuals who are overweight at diagnosis. Weight loss can improve insulin sensitivity and reduce the risk of developing heart disease. For some patients, the weight loss alone is enough to manage the condition without additional help from medications.
Diet
If weight loss is part of your treatment plan, your diet will play a large role in accomplishing your goals. However, dietary changes can be helpful to type 2 diabetes patients even if they don’t need to lose weight. This is because certain foods spike your blood sugar levels more than others. To keep your sugar levels within the norm, your doctor will likely advise you to focus on unprocessed foods like vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains, while staying away from processed carbs and sugary snacks.
Exercise
Regular exercise is another key component of effective type 2 diabetes management. Exercise can help increase insulin sensitivity, which helps lower the sugar in your blood. Studies show that a good place to start is 150 minutes of cardio exercise per week. Additional activities like walking more and using the stairs can add up and help contribute to faster weight loss as well.
Medications
While all the lifestyle changes discussed above might be enough for some people to manage their type 2 diabetes, others will need additional help from medications to get the disease under control. Your doctor will work with you to determine what works best in your case. Different types of medications may be prescribed to you, including oral medications such as Metformin, insulin injections, or other injectable drugs. Your doctor will also start monitoring your blood frequently to ensure your insulin levels are staying within normal range.
While type 2 diagnosis can lead to many life changes, it can also empower and enable you to start living a healthier life. By embracing weight management, a healthier diet, exercise, and following your doctor’s recommendations, you can maintain your vibrant health despite your diagnosis.
