You’ve just been diagnosed with diabetes and you probably have a million questions running through your head. You may also be scared, which is natural especially if you don’t know much about diabetes. Yet, by being an active participant in your medical care, you can get your questions answered and your fears calmed.
1. Call Porter’s Diabetes Educators right away. Specially trained, the nurses and dieticians will meet with you for an initial assessment. You will learn how to use your blood glucose meter, receive simple diet guidelines, and have many of your questions answered. Call 219.263.7992 or 219.263.4974 for an appointment.
2. Don’t get frustrated. Many diabetics get overwhelmed with the prospect of monitoring, dieting, exercising, and making lifestyle changes. Porter’s ADA recognized diabetes classes provide a step-by-step method on how to adjust to living with diabetes.
3. Build a medical team. In addition to your primary care physician and our nurses and dietitians, you will also want to build a relationship with an ophthalmologist, podiatrist, and other physicians to assist in keeping you healthy. Managing your overall health can help prevent complications later in life.
4. Build a personal team. Educate your family and friends about your condition. It is important they understand the support you will need when making diet and lifestyle changes. Porter hosts a monthly diabetes support group where you can freely ask questions and receive additional support from others and professionals.
5. Take Control. Diabetes and your health are totally under your control. By doing the right things such as following your doctor’s orders, testing daily, staying active, watching your diet, and keeping a positive outlook, your chances for leading a long and normal life are good.
New Device. Better Control.
In an effort to help patients more effectively manage their diabetes, Porter has invested in the new iPro™ Continuous Glucose Monitor. A compact, lightweight device that provides detailed data on a patient’s glycemic status, the iPro™ takes a reading every five minutes over the course of three days. Knowing a patient’s glucose values during all parts of the day and night allows better patient specific treatment regimes.
Reproduced from StayHealthy magazine by Porter Health System