Diabetes is a metabolic disorder caused by your body's improper use of digested food for energy and growth. Millions of people are affected and it's a leading cause of health complications and death. The most common form, type 2 diabetes, causes myriad symptoms. Left unchecked, diabetes kills through a variety of complications from heart disease to kidney failure. But you can live with diabetes with a proper diet, exercise and health management.

Coping

In order to cope with the idea of having this chronic disease, you must first understand the potential impact on your survival. Diabetes causes serious health complications and is in the top 10 leading causes of death. Having diabetes puts you at risk for developing heart disease, stroke, blindness, nerve damage, kidney failure and blood vessel disease. If you are going to survive and live with this disorder, it's paramount that you become a master of your own health. You'll need the resources and advice of a strong health care team to guide you. That team should include: • A primary care provider, such as a family practice doctor or an internist, will oversee your care and refer you to specialists. • An endocrinologist, a doctor who specializes in the treatment of diabetes, will determine the best route to care when it comes to medicine and treatments. • A dietitian or nurse educator can provide more extensive information about diabetes management as well as coping skills. This person will also help you develop diet and exercise plans based on your weight, other health conditions and medications. • A podiatrist can provide regular foot care since amputations are one of the potential complications of diabetes. • An ophthalmologist provides eye care because blindness is another health risk. • A dentist should be made aware of your diabetes and regular visits scheduled because diabetics are more prone to gum disease. Besides gathering a health care team, you can live better with diabetes by tapping into support groups in the diabetes community. These are people who are going through the same thing. Some have extensive experience while others may be newly diagnosed. Either way, you can find people to lean on and to learn from through a variety of sources. The American Diabetes Association is a great place to start when looking for connections.

Management

Once you have gathered a team of health care providers and personal connections to help you cope with the diagnosis, you can move on to the business of managing the disease. Blood glucose (blood sugar) control is the most important aspect of living with diabetes because maintaining appropriate glucose levels will help you to feel better today and avoid serious complications in the future. A blood test performed at the doctor's office called A1C checks your glucose levels for the last few months and provides the big picture. But you'll need to check your blood glucose at home on a regular basis and keep a log. If the level is too high or low, your health care provider may decide to change your care plan. Diabetes management goes beyond just checking for blood glucose levels. What you eat and how much you exercise are critical to healthy living with diabetes. And if you develop diabetes-related complications, you can tap into your health care team and support network for guidance on the many aspects of care.

Source:

American Diabetes Association, Living with Diabetes

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Diabetes Overview

Resource:

American Diabetes Association