Offer Mental And Emotional Support
For a person with diabetes, the burden of having to constantly monitor his or her health and the discomfort of physical symptoms can be very stressful and contribute to anxiety and depression. In fact, people with diabetes are two to three times more likely to have depression than people without diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
If you think your loved one is struggling with depression or other mental health problems, you can be a source of support. Be willing to listen if a friend, relative or co-worker wants to open up and talk about their disease, Dr. Kirkman says, and ask them regularly how theyre doing.
You can also ask the person if they want help finding a therapist to talk to, or if they want to hear about any relaxation or stress-reduction techniques that have helped you.
Causes And Symptoms Of Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a condition that involves high blood glucose or blood sugar.
The pancreas makes insulin, a hormone that enables cells to take glucose from the bloodstream for energy. In type 2 diabetes, the cells do not respond normally to insulin, called insulin resistance. As a result, the pancreas makes more insulin in an attempt to get glucose inside the cells.
After some time, the pancreas cannot keep up, and blood sugar increases, which leads to prediabetes and diabetes.
Symptoms frequently develop over several years, including:
- tiredness
- numbness or tingling in hands or feet
- weight loss without trying
Diabetes Diet Plan For Long
It may ease your mind to know you will be able to incorporate your favorite foods into a healthy diet while being mindful of your diabetes diet goals . Check out our type 2 diabetes diet sheet below for an idea of the variety of delicious and balanced meals that can fit into a diabetic meal plan.
For many people, at least initially, this may seem harder than it should be and thats understandable after all, it can seem very, very challenging to change current eating habits and find the right food rhythm to fit your lifestyle.
You don’t have to go it alone: Seek advice from a registered dietitian or certified diabetes educator who has the right training to help you come up with an individualized meal plan that will help you meet your self-management goals, get the nutrition you need, and show you how you can incorporate some of your favorite foods into your diet so that you continue to enjoy eating.
Hopefully, your doctor has someone on the team, but if not, call your health insurer to ask for the names of a few in-network RD/CDEs.
There are also virtual coaching programs that appear to be effective this means you can get individualized dietary guidance at home or at work. Most health insurance companies will cover the cost of diabetic diet counseling so ask your doctor for a prescription, so cost doesnt hold you back.
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How Does Type 2 Diabetes Relate To Insulin Resistance
Insulin resistance causes type 2 diabetes, but a person can have insulin resistance without having type 2 diabetes. Diabetes is about energy in and energy out, explains Dr. Chistofides. In the case of type 2 diabetes, there is a mismanagement between how the body matches energy intake and energy demand. Insulin insensitivity is the symptom of this energy mismanagement that can lead to insulin resistance.
If you have a diet high in processed foods with added sugar, initially your body will keep releasing insulin as it tries to absorb and use glucose. If you have prediabetes and dont limit your over-consumption of sugary foods, heres what can happen:
Type 2 Diabetes In Children And Teens
Childhood obesity rates are rising, and so are the rates of type 2 diabetes in youth. More than 75% of children with type 2 diabetes have a close relative who has it, too. But its not always because family members are related it can also be because they share certain habits that can increase their risk. Parents can help prevent or delay type 2 diabetes by developing a plan for the whole family:
- Drinking more water and fewer sugary drinks
- Eating more fruits and vegetables
- Making favorite foods healthier
- Making physical activity more fun
Healthy changes become habits more easily when everyone makes them together. Find out how to take charge family style with these healthy tips.
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Be Observant To Drops In Blood Sugar
Sometimes, people with type 2 diabetes experience a drop in blood sugar. This can cause cloudy thinking, fatigue, and weakness. Find out if your loved one is at risk for low blood sugar, and then learn what the symptoms are and how to treat it if they are. Be mindful of these symptoms and speak up if you notice a change in their behavior. You may become aware of low blood sugar symptoms before they are.
If so, encourage them to check their blood sugar levels. Its also helpful to discuss what to do in the event of a blood sugar drop. Since low blood sugar can cause confusion, your loved one may be unable to articulate the steps to raise their blood sugar in the moment.
Regular physical activity is just as important as a healthy diet for those managing type 2 diabetes. Being active and losing weight can lower blood glucose. And while sticking to a regular exercise routine can be challenging, its often easier to exercise when youre accountable to someone. Offer to become workout buddies and get together a few times a week. The target for a week is 30 minutes of activity most days, though if you do vigorous activity, you can get away with three to four days a week. You can also break the 30 minutes down into 10 minute segments. You and your loved one can take three 10-minute walks after meals, or walk for 30 minutes in a row.
Find A Hobby That Is Not Diabetes Related
It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day management and unknowingly become an overly persistent source of annoyance by repeating such questions as: What did you eat today? Did you check your blood sugar? Did you take your medicine?
Although these questions seem harmless and are often necessary , they are a constant reminder to the person that they have a diabetes diagnosis. Some days it can be nice to take a break from all the questions and take the attention away from the condition.
Consider starting a hobby with the person with diabetes that has nothing to do with diabetes. It can be anything you enjoy doingfishing, bowling, art, crafts, music, knitting, puzzles, whatever you like. Do it together and make it a routine. You’ll find other ways to bond and take some needed downtime.
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Know What Diabetes Is And How Its Treated
Diabetes is a chronic condition characterized by excess sugar in the bloodstream. The hormone insulin, made by the pancreas, helps convert the sugar from food into energy for the bodys cells. However, with diabetes, the body doesnt make insulin or enough of it, and the body may be resistant to insulin. This leaves too much sugar in the blood and causes health problems.
There are three main types of diabetes: type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes, which affects pregnant women. If you have a loved one with diabetes, Dr. Kirkman suggests learning about that type and what it means for a persons daily life.
Find out what that person may need to do day to day. They may need to use a meter to check their blood sugar before they eat. They may have to administer an insulin shot, or they may have to program insulin into their insulin pump to keep blood sugar levels in a safe range, Dr. Kirkman says.
Once you have the knowledge, you can be prepared to help if needed, and youll also have empathy for the persons experience.
The Basics Of Cooking For Someone With Type 2 Diabetes
Contrary to popular belief, there is no single diabetes diet. People may follow any number of eating patterns to manage diabetes, including a Mediterranean diet, a low-carbohydrate diet, and a plant-based eating approach such as a vegetarian diet, according to a nutrition consensus report from the American Diabetes Association .
The key is to include plenty of nonstarchy vegetables , minimize added sugars and refined grains, and opt for minimally processed foods whenever possible, the ADA reports. Lean protein , nonfat or lowfat dairy, and healthy fat sources are also staples of a diabetes-friendly diet, per recommendations from the NIDDK.
In fact, a healthy diabetes diet is the ideal diet for everyone, but because someone may have diabetes, the focus becomes that much more important as it helps them to manage their blood sugar levels, says Amy Kimberlain, RDN, CDCES, a national spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics based in Miami.
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Type 2 Diabetes Food Breakdown
First and foremost, we recommend that the vast majority of your nutrients come from plants, due to the various risks associated with eating meat.
We also recommend removing artificial sweeteners and synthetic/processed products from your diet as much as possible, due to their proven association with chronic disease.
Finally, we recommend that you get 80+% of your calories from the carbohydrates found in whole-grains, fruits, and vegetables, with the remaining calories coming from healthy fats and proteins.
Sound restrictive? You might think, but countless plant based recipes might make you rethink your food groups.
How To Find Or Choose A Group
There are several factors to consider when looking for a diabetes support group.
Firstly, it helps to know what a person with diabetes expects from one of these groups. For instance, if they want to connect with others, it will be important for a group to allow them to socialize.
On the other hand, if they need more structured support to look after their health, a program or group that addresses this directly will be a better choice. It is a good idea to make a list of the top priorities and consider them while searching.
Next, individuals should look for groups that fit these priorities. They can do this by:
- asking a doctor for recommendations
- asking others who have type 2 diabetes about what helps them
- searching online
An essential aspect of choosing a support group is whether an online or in-person group and format is a better fit. Both offer their own set of benefits.
One of the advantages of a local group is that members may see the same doctors as the person joining. They will also know more about the resources available in their region. In-person groups can also be better for making friends.
Online support groups, however, are more accessible, particularly if someone is not feeling well or cannot get to an in-person meeting. Also, support can be available at any time.
Some individuals may want to join more than one group to get the benefits of both group types.
If a support group is not a good fit, it is always possible to try others.
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Taking Control Of Your Diabetes
How psychologists can help with diabetes management, including assistance with stress, obesity and adhering to a treatment plan.
Taking control of your diabetes.
Diabetes is an increasingly common disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 20.9 million Americans were living with diagnosed diabetes in 2011, up from just 5.6 million in 1980. And an estimated seven million more people had diabetes but were undiagnosed. Diabetes goes hand in hand with an increase in obesity and inactivity both major risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes.
. Not only are you facing a diagnosis of a chronic illness, you are also dealing with adjusting your lifestyle and daily habits to manage a disease.
Type 1 Vs Type 2 Diabetes: Whats The Difference
Type 2 diabetes is not the same as Type 1 diabetes. In Type 1 diabetes, your pancreas doesnt make any insulin. In Type 2, your pancreas doesnt make enough insulin, and the insulin it is making doesnt always work as it should. Both types are forms of diabetes mellitus, meaning they lead to hyperglycemia .
Type 2 diabetes usually affects older adults, though its becoming more common in children. Type 1 diabetes usually develops in children or young adults, but people of any age can get it.
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Blogs Forums And Apps
- Diabetes.co.uk forum discussions about living with and managing diabetes
- Diabetes UK blogs a collection of blogs on work and diabetes, food, eyes and more
- Diabetes Chat scheduled chats with healthcare professionals or just the chance to talk to others
- NHS Apps Library find apps and tools to help you manage your diabetes, including some that link you to a lifestyle coach
How Long Can You Live With Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes doesnt have to be a chronic condition. To the contrary, a type 2 diabetes diagnosis is the moment to begin changing habits and working towards a healthier and longer life. What you do every day can make a difference, says Dr. Christofides. Park at the far-end of the lot. Try taking the stairs. Consider buying only fresh foods and avoiding things in packages.
There is no one best type 2 diabetes diet. Focus on fresh, and focus on balance. Include vegetables, lean proteins , whole grains, nuts, seeds, legumes, and whole fruits.
Get moving. Exercise is one of the most important things you can do for overall health, including mental well-being. Fitness is also one of the best ways to keep weight off once youve lost it.
Find activities you enjoy and try sharing those with friends and family. Exercise doesnt have to happen in the gym. Grab a friend and go for a fast walk through the neighborhood or take a hike in the park. The vitamin D will give you an extra boost of health and well-being.
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Ways You Can Help Someone With Diabetes
Theres a good chance that someone you know has diabetes. It is a disease that affects more than 30 million people in the USabout 9% of the population. With those numbers, youd think we would be more accustomed to hearing about and supporting people with diabetes. But in fact, they often face misunderstanding and stigma. People with diabetes are often exposed to mistaken notions that diabetes is not a serious illness and can be easily managed with lifestyle changes such as diet or activity changes. When told, explicitly or implicitly, that having diabetes is a sign of personal weakness and failure, people with diabetes may suffer from guilt, shame, embarrassment, and isolation. Such feelings are reported not only by adults but also by children living with diabetes and their parents.
The damage inflicted by stigma goes far beyond the emotional toll. People with diabetes who reported feeling stigmatized have been shown to have poorer diabetes control, including higher A1C levels, a higher body mass index , and a higher rate of self-reported uncontrolled diabetes.
Lets do a better job of supporting our friends and family members living with this condition. Here are some ways you can combat stigma and support the people you know with diabetes.
Where Can I Find Help And Support For Managing My Type 2 Diabetes
Diabetes Educators. The American Diabetes Association has a diabetes education finder, where you can find diabetes counseling in your zip code. You may also want to work with a diabetes dietitian to clarify questions about carbs, eating schedules, and more. A diabetes dietitian falls under the umbrella of medical nutrition therapy and is covered by Medicare and many insurance policies. Exercise is another crucial part of care, and you may be eligible for physical therapy as part of your diabetes medical management plan. You can find more information on state-by-state coverage here.
Type 2 diabetes isnt a solo condition. Its largely influenced by our culture and community health practices. Expanding your community to a healthy support system can also be an important part of managing your type 2 diabetes.
Family and friends. Get them on board by creating new food habits together. Often, we feel pressure to maintain the status quo for our families while adjusting our own diets. The changes youre making to improve your health will also improve the health of your family. Choose healthful meals that you can all enjoy together and try to resist making separate meals for yourself.
- Stroke
- Cardiovascular disease
Hyperglycemia can cause myriad problems, with the primary complications being:
- Retinopathy
- Diabetic ketoacidosis
- Diabetic coma
- Feeling shaky
- Headaches
- Tingling or numbness in your lips, tongue, or cheeks
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