Coping with Type 2 Diabetes

You have your diagnosis.� What now?� Controlling Type II Diabetes is challenging and stressful.� Many of the changes you have to make will not fit with your current lifestyle or those of your friends and family.� However, if you want to control your diabetes and avoid complications, change is mandatory.� This article will walk you through the major changes you must make in order to lead a longer, happier life with diabetes.

A few warnings

You will see claims being bandied about by people who say they have the secret to curing diabetes.� These are scams.� Diabetes is not just incurable at present, it is irreversible.� Anyone who offers a cure is only after your money.� Listening to them will place you at extreme risk for blindness, neuropathy, circulatory failure, kidney failure, stroke, and heart disease.� You are the one who will suffer, not the snake-oil peddler.

Many alternative treatments and dietary supplements are being promoted as treatments for diabetes.� The supplements include chromium picolinate, alpha lipoic acid, cinnamon, garlic, and magnesium.� Be aware that the claims that these substances help control blood sugar have not been proven in clinical trials.� Also, the large amounts of these supplements that are recommended can sometimes be harmful in and of themselves.� Be sure to discuss any alternative treatments you are considering with your primary care doctor.

Finally, do not ignore your diabetes.� Being diagnosed is shocking, sometimes overwhelming.� Denial is easy; compliance is hard.� You must realize that diabetes is a progressive disease.� The earlier you can arrest it and control it, the better your chances of avoiding complications altogether.� Every day you let your blood sugar soar takes time off your life.� Please listen to your medical team and make these lifestyle changes.� A longer, happier life will be your reward.

Monitoring your health