// Diabetes Mellitus//
It’s a scary thing, and even more scary when somebody that you love is diagnosed with this disease. Ok, so once diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, YOU HAVE TO MAKE CHANGES! No if’s and’s or but’s about it! I’m trying to change my diet to help make it easier for my mother. She’s doing so great and she’s been so strong! I’m absolutely proud of her and further reinforces to me how amazing she is! We’ve eaten a lot of fish and veggies lately and that’s fantastic. I’m working on gathering low impact exercises for her to do as well as the rest of the family. Sexy bodies, here we come!
IF you or some one you love has been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, you’re not alone and there’s plenty you can do to combat the disease and even rid yourself of it.
1. Know your numbers. What’s your A1C? It should be below 6. What’s your fasting and nonfasting readings? Normal levels are less than 100.
2. Know what you put into your body. How much sugar is in that? What about carb content? Be careful! Not all fruits are good for you, some have lots of natural sugars!! Watch out for pineapples and other such fruits!
3. Get moving! A little exercise, no matter how little, it better than no exercise. Start small and work your way up a little at a time. You don’t always have to do the same thing and you don’t always have to do it alone. Get a significant other, best friend, neighbor or a dog! You’ll see it more as having fun and less as work.
4. If you’re on meds, take them consistently! Have yourself on a realistic schedule. And don’t get caught without your medicine or insulin! Most insulin pens these days are able to travel with you (the pen that you are currently using) without being refrigerated! (However, it should be noted that the pens that have yet to be used should be refrigerated). Just don’t leave your pens in the car on a hot summers day.
5. Tap into all of your resources! Contact a nutrionist for helpful ideas on meal ideas, snacks and so much more!
6. Keep a journal. Write down goals. Where do you want your readings to get to? Tracking your progress can be very motivational! Seeing how far you’ve come can sometimes give you that extra umph to make it to the next level in your goals!
7. Being on a basal insulin, like Lantus, is not the end of the world. Sometimes doctors prescribe this type of insulin to help get your sugar levels down quickly if they are dangerously high. HOWEVER! Do not simply rely on the use of the insulin. TAKE CONTROL! Insulin injections can be temporary and let that be your goal!
If you have any questions, contact your doctor or pharmacist (they can be super helpful but are NOT doctors). Don’t be afraid to ask your doctor questions! You pay a lot of money for your health care so in a sense, they work for you! Get your money worth! Keep a journal of questions you have so that you are prepared for your meeting with your doctor.
Hopefully this is a little helpful to get you started! The main idea is to get educated and take control of what’s going on!
Ok, but what if your doctor prescribed an expensive medication like Januvia or Janumet for you? These can be expensive but they are incredibly helpful! Find out who manufactures the medication. Google them online. Find out if they have coupons for the medicines. Prescription assistance? It never hurts to ask. Also see if the doctor has samples so you can see how your body reacts to the medication (and if it doesn’t comply, you won’t be out of $215!!! (the cash price of Januvia)).
It’s your life and it can be a great one. Take control!
