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DISCLAIMER; PLEASE TAKE ANYTHING YOU LEARN FROM THIS ARTICLE AND DISCUSS WITH YOUR PHYSICIAN. THIS IS NOT MEANT TO TAKE THE PLACE OF YOUR DOCTOR'S ADVICE, BUT HOPEFULLY TO ENHANCE YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND HELP YOU BECOME AN ACTIVE PARTICIPANT IN YOUR OWN HEALTH CARE, MAINTAIN A HEALTHY DIALOGUE WITH YOUR PROVIDERS AND BE PART OF THE TEAM FOR YOU.
As a nurse, I was in a position to teach others about their illnesses, including diabetes.
I was not always an active participant in my own health care, actually I was quite passive. That is until, life and various other conditions threatened my physical, as well as, mental health. I finally understood the helplessness which sometimes engulfed my clients/patients.
Upon being diagnosed with diabetes type two, I was suddenly thrust into patient/client seat. Yes, I had the book knowledge, but I lacked the actual hands on experience of living with this condition. I easily saw how confusion and lack of know how could complicate matters.
Things that have changed since my diagnosis; I now research, print, and copy information to bring to my physician. I am now an active participant in my own treatment.
How did I get to this point? Being a Registered Nurse catapulted my participation. After all I had been encouraging my patients to question, and get answers from physician, me, and any resource they could find.
The first thing I did was scour diets, exercise programs, various medications and treatment modalities. Although, I did initially take medication upon my physicians orders without question, I did make sure all necessary pre-testing was completed.
Things to do...
Suggest alternate ideas and ask questions. There are no dumb questions! If you cannot ask your physician, it is time to change that relationship of patient/doctor or find a new physician that meets your needs and your comfort level. I have been fortunate on some counts, I just ask until I get an answer and won't leave until I do. Much of the time I bring volumes of questions and suggestions to an appointment. I am up to date on current treatments. I also know my latest test results, and when the next test should be done as well as basic follow up for diabetics. But knowing the results doesn't mean a thing if you don't understand what it measures. So ASK! ~
You must realize you are a consumer; paying the doctor, for his or her expertise and treatment. Your time is just as valuable.
Amongst the many concerns that diabetics face, I will address two. First, we must find our trigger foods. By trigger, I mean not only knowing glycemic index of various foods, but what foods set you off as an individual. For example, thick pastas send my blood glucose levels through the roof, so I avoid them. Secondly, we must learn how exercise affects our blood sugar level, usually exercise lowers blood glucose levels, but some experience the opposite effect. So we must gauge our exercise by intensity, strenuousness, duration and effect on blood glucose level by testing, keeping a journal of effect, glucose level and side notes (i.e., length of exercise, type of exercise, if it caused perspiration?). Discuss your journal with your health care provider.
Your physician will tell you diet and exercise are important. Just as important as any medication(s) you may be taking. It is important to ask him/her for a nutritional evaluation with a registered nutritionist. Just as with your doctor, you must feel comfortable with this member of your health care team. If you have question about your diet, or why a diet isn't recommended the nutritionist should be able give you adequate answers. There are many diets out there. I am not going to recommend any but if you feel you want to try something, ask first. If you get a negative response and still want to try, then do so responsibly and inform them of your decision. Telling them reinforces and maintains the team. This way, if you have an adverse reaction, they are aware of any changes.
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