Managing Diabetes - It Takes a Team - and YOU are in CHARGE

November is National Diabetes Month in which there is a push to bring more awareness of this disease that affects more than 34 million adults in the U.S.

And, even if you are not part of that 34 million, it is estimated that more than 88 million Americans are at risk of developing diabetes in their lifetime.

Last year, I did a post specifically about Type 2 Diabetes – Risks, Signs, and Symptoms for Diabetes Month.

The catch with diabetes isn’t just the blood sugar and avoiding sugar in the diet.

It is a lot about the blood sugar – that diabetes impacts many parts of the body, including the brain, eyes, heart, kidney, hands, feed, and reproductive organs.

Any part of the body that has blood vessels going to it is affected. And the small blood vessels (capillaries) are at higher risk of damage.

It isn’t just about the sugar in food but finding a balance of how much carbohydrates are in combination with fiber and protein sources.

When I mention that “it takes a team,” I am talking about many things involved with reducing the risk of getting diabetes, managing it if we have it, and not ignoring symptoms of something going “wrong.”

Let’s say that you are the coach of a sports team (let’s assume a college or professional sports team). You not only have the players, but you also may have a physician, physical therapist, dietitian, and other specialty coaches.

As the coach, you oversee the overall team. But you also have others that help keep things going well. But, again, this is like your body with diabetes. You cannot do this alone; getting outside help is okay.

You have the doctor to help keep your health in check.

You have the physical therapists and strength coaches are that help with team members’ recovery, minimize injuries, and ensure they are doing exercises that support their position best.

You have the dietitian that ensures an appropriately fueled team.

You have specialty coaches and assistants that help ensure the team stays healthy so you can have a winning season. 

 So with diabetes:

 You are the coach, ensuring that the team has what it needs.

You have a doctor for your annual preventive checkups in case you have needs in-between those checkups.

You engage in regular, and ideally daily, exercise to help you stay healthy. You may not have a physical therapist or a personal trainer, but you can get out and do something.

You eat healthy overall and do not depend on medication to help manage your disease. Ideally, you get the assistance of the dietitian to help educate you on how to balance your meals to minimize blood sugar spikes.

You have specialty doctors such as podiatrists and optometrists to help ensure those feet and eyes stay healthy.

You have assistants to help ensure you stay healthy – ideally, family members helping you manage your diabetes and not hinder it.

You do not have to manage diabetes alone – but you are ultimately in charge of coordinating your health and wellness.

Stay on top of your health and take action to reduce the risk of diabetes or manage your diabetes.