Your doctor just told you that you have type 2 diabetes. What happens now? Will you be able to eat food you enjoy? Will you need insulin or other medications? Will this lead to other health problems?
There’s a lot of information out there, some reliable and some not. Meeting with a diabetes educator—often a nurse with specialized training—is the best way for newly diagnosed people to get the support they need, including guidance on how to:
- Develop a healthy eating and activity plan.
- Test your blood sugar and keep a record of the results.
- Take medications if needed.
- Recognize the signs of high or low blood sugar and what to do about it.
- Monitor your feet, skin, and eyes to catch problems early.
- Buy diabetes supplies and store them properly.
Ask your doctor to recommend a diabetes educator, or search the American Association of Diabetes Educators’ nationwide directoryexternal icon for a list of educators in your community.
Content source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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