As scary as excessive thirst, constant hunger, and blurred vision can be, being newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes by your internist can seem just as scary. Your mind might be flooded with questions about your condition, including whether or not you can do anything to stop the disease in its tracks. Here are three things you should expect to talk about with your internist after being diagnosed with diabetes.

Your Diet 

Since a diabetic’s body doesn’t produce insulin as it should, eating a healthy diet and carefully monitoring your portion sizes is crucial to protecting your health. Your internist will recommend eating on a schedule and filling your diet with lean proteins, vegetables, whole grains, and fruit while avoiding processed foods, candies, baked goods, sugary drinks, and shellfish. Although managing your diet can seem intimidating at first, most people become accustomed to healthier foods quickly, and some symptoms can disappear if you eat right.

Daily Blood Sugar Management

Depending on the extent of your diabetes, you may or may not be required to track your blood sugars. If you are, you may have to prick yourself with a small lancet to test a drop of blood with a special device several times a day. The purpose of blood sugar tracking is to enable diabetics to dose themselves properly with supplemental insulin to keep their body functioning properly. However, modern diabetic insulin pumps operate automatically, taking the guesswork out of blood sugar management.

Potential Complications

Your internist will also talk with you about the potential complications of your diabetes so that you can plan for the road ahead. Since diabetes can cause additional problems like nerve damage, aggressive periodontal disease, hearing loss, foot problems, and cardiovascular problems, understanding your diabetic risk factors is important to staying healthy.

Are you wondering how to manage your type 2 diabetes? The clinicians at Patient Choice Medical Care in Hamden, CT, understand how intimidating a life-changing diagnosis can be, which is why they offer comprehensive medical reviews, advice on weight loss, and ongoing support for diabetes management. For more information about their services, send them a message online, or schedule an appointment by calling (203) 535-0262