5 Ways Your Life Changes After a Diabetes Diagnosis

If you’ve recently been diagnosed with diabetes, your life will likely change in a range of ways. These lifestyle shifts are all meant to improve your health and well-being, optimizing your blood sugar levels and lowering your risk for complications. Thankfully, you won’t have to go it alone as our team of trusted medical professionals will guide you.

Our team at Arundel Medical Group, Inc., located in Glen Burnie, Maryland, is pleased to provide diabetes diagnostics and treatment, which includes providing education and ongoing support.

1. You’ll follow a customized treatment plan

Just as each person is unique, there is no one-size-fits-all treatment for diabetes. Once you’ve been diagnosed, our providers will help determine your ideal plan based on the type of diabetes you have, your overall health, and the severity of your symptoms. This plan may include medications, such as insulin, recommended lifestyle changes, and seeing our team more frequently.

2. You’ll change your diet

The foods you eat can significantly impact your blood sugar levels and health, particularly when you have diabetes. But don’t worry, your diabetes-friendly diet can be delicious. Consider using a diabetes cookbook for ideas as you aim for the following guidelines:

• Eat a variety of nutrient-dense foods, such as vegetables, whole grains, fish, and tofu
• Eat more nutrient-dense, calorie-poor foods, such as fresh veggies
• Replace low-nutrient processed fare with healthier alternatives, such as whole-grains 
• Don’t skip meals or go too long without eating 
• Make sure your meals and snacks include some amount of protein, fiber, or healthy fat 

3. You’ll exercise more

More than likely, your exercise habits will change as you learn to live with diabetes. Physical activity helps lower your blood sugar, increases your energy levels, and relieves stress. Exercise can also help keep your joints flexible, guarding against stiffness and pain over time. Helpful activities include walking, biking, swimming, yoga, taking stairs, and gardening.

4. You’ll monitor your blood sugar

When you have diabetes, monitoring your blood sugar is important for ensuring your medications and lifestyle measures are helping, identifying any glucose spikes or dips, and tracking your overall progress. Your doctor may recommend self-testing at home using an electric blood sugar meter and a small drop of your blood or a device that provides continual monitoring. 

5. Your overall health will improve

Eating a nutritious diet, staying active, and managing your blood sugar will not only minimize the effects of diabetes but promote your overall health. All of these steps can lower your risk for heart disease and stroke, which are at an increased risk when you have diabetes. With some patience and effort, you could end up feeling better mentally and physically than you have in some time.

To learn more about diabetes and its treatments, call our team at Arundel Medical Group, Inc., or request an appointment on our website.