According to the National Diabetes Statistics Report, 34.2 million people live with diabetes. This is about 10.5% of the population in the U.S.
26.9 million people were diagnosed with diabetes in 2020 while 7.3 million people live with diabetes without a proper diagnosis.
88 million adults are currently pre-diabetic. This includes 34.5% of the adult population in the United States. 24.2 million adults over 65 are also pre-diabetic.
If you were just diagnosed with diabetes there are some important steps you should take. Keep reading to learn what they are.
Make Sure You Visit Your Doctor Regularly
Being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes is a life-changing event. After the diagnosis, regular appointments with your primary care physician are important to maintaining your health.
Your doctor will help you maintain or reach a healthy cholesterol level and give you information on how to check your blood sugar at home. You should also schedule annual eye exams and screenings for kidney disease.
Make Changes to Your Diet
Making changes to your diet is crucial to your livelihood after your diagnosis. Some diet tips for diabetics include reducing the number of carbohydrates you consume.
You should also try to eliminate sugary drinks like sodas from your diet. Portion control is important too. Half of your plate should be filled with veggies while a quarter should be reserved for protein and a quarter should include complex carbs like brown rice.
Take All Prescribed Medications
After your diagnosis, your doctor will probably start you on diabetes medication. You need to fill this medication and take it as prescribed each day. You can set an alarm on your phone until you get used to taking your medication.
You can use 90daymeds.com to find the low-cost medication you need. You can buy your medication online and have it delivered straight to your door.
Exercise Is Crucial
Exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle but it’s even more crucial after a diabetes diagnosis. Starting a regular exercise routine will help you manage your diabetes.
Finding a workout buddy is one way to make exercising more fun and hold yourself accountable. Some exercise tips for diabetics include doing at least 30 minutes each day.
You should start with moderate exercise like walking or swimming. You can add strength training to your workout as you get into more of a routine. Exercise will help you lose weight while also keeping your blood sugar levels down.
Take It One Step at a Time
Living with diabetes might feel like a life sentence but it doesn’t have to be. When first diagnosed you might feel a lot of stress but it’s important to take things one step at a time.
You should make small changes gradually so that you aren’t overwhelmed by things. Maintaining a positive attitude can also make things easier.
Here’s What to Do When Just Diagnosed With Diabetes
If you were just diagnosed with diabetes you might be feeling overwhelmed with the changes it’s bringing to your life.
Some important steps you should take are scheduling regular visits with your doctor and taking all medications. Make sure you check out some of the other blogs on our site to learn more.
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