Living Well With Diabetes

November is Diabetes Awareness Month - a good time for people who are living with diabetes to connect with a diabetes educator and get a refresher on tools to keep your diabetes under control.

The American Diabetes Center, American Diabetes Association of Diabetes Educators and the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics agree that there are four crucial times you should see a diabetes educator or certified diabetes care and education specialist (CDCES):

• At initial diagnosis
• Once a year to assess education, lifestyle and emotional needs
• When new factors like a change in your health, emotional factors or mobility are making it difficult to manage your diabetes
• When you experience changes like a new living situation, a hospitalization, or changes in your medications or insurance coverage

A diabetes educator can help you learn more about topics such as healthy eating and meal planning, blood sugar testing, medications, exercise options and how to prevent diabetes-related complications. Checking in on an annual basis is very important, and annual assessments are covered by most insurances including Medicare and Medicaid. 

Working with your physician and a diabetes nurse or dietitian can help you establish and stick to a treatment plan that works for your individual needs. Staying informed and connected with a care team can give you the upper hand when it comes to reducing your chances of diabetes complications like heart disease, eye problems, kidney disease, foot problems, non-healing wounds and depression.

Things you can do now include:

• Eat a well-balanced diet and limit concentrated sweets.
• Don’t skip meals
• Talk to your healthcare provider about exercise that is right for you
• Quit smoking
• Have your feet, kidney function and eyes checked regularly
• Take medications as prescribed by your healthcare provider
• Monitor your blood sugar levels as recommended by your health care provider

Erin White, B.S.N., R.N., C.D.C.E.S., is manager of the Diabetes Center at MyMichigan Medical Center Midland. To learn more about the care treatment of diabetes and to connect with a diabetes educator, visit www.mymichigan.org/diabetes.