Booklet kindly produced by Annandale Patient Participation Group
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Remember that taking small, Simple Steps in the first few weeks
should improve your health and give you the confidence to start
taking control of your diabetes.
Diabetes UK is the largest diabetes charity and can provide loads of
help and information. www.diabetes.org.uk.
SIMPLE STEPS
A few tips for newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetics
A diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes can be overwhelming at first and
this guide has been produced by some diabetic patients to help
you adjust to your new lifestyle.
There is an enormous amount of information available but we
believe that a few simple steps will set you on the right track.
You are going to have to make some changes in your eating
habits and exercise levels and the first few weeks will be the
hardest but the good news is that you will begin to feel better,
healthier and in control
If you would like to speak to someone who has diabetes and find
out how they manage their own day to day living, please contact
your Patient Participation Group (PPG) who produced this
pamphlet. The receptionist at the surgery can tell you how to
contact us, or pick up a copy of our newsletter from the counter.
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The more you know about diabetes the better you will be in control
of your health.
Take any prescribed medication as instructed.
Keep a food diary as this will help both you and your doctor. Record
your blood sugar levels if your GP or diabetic nurse asks you to.
Diabetics have to learn to keep their blood sugar levels at a steady
rate by adjusting their diet. Everyone is on a diet – a diet is what you
eat. There is no such thing as a diabetic diet – the basic principles of
healthy eating apply. Eat meals at regular times each day.
Moderation in everything!
Most sugar is produced by the breakdown of carbs within the body.
Cut down on high sugar foods eg cake, sugary drinks, chocolate and
alcohol. Read food labels. Low fat products often contain high
quantities of sugar as a preservative. Low fat fruit yogurt and salad
dressing are examples of this. Many pre-prepared foods such as
tinned soup, meat pies and sauces have sugar added to them.
Powdered drinks like hot chocolate, milk shakes and cappuccino
contain sugar.
Fruits contain sugar called fructose. The sweeter it tastes the higher
the level of sugar. Five grapes are recommended as a portion!!Fruit
that grows in this country eg apples, raspberries are recommended.
Fresh fruit juices contain high quantities of fructose and are absorbed
by the body very rapidly. Be careful – iced lollies may be just frozen
juice. Dried fruits are high in sugar. Nibble on a few nuts instead.
Some carbs release sugar into the body slowly. These are useful when
cutting down sugars. Oats are a good source of slowly released sugar,
try porridge for breakfast or a Hob Nob biscuit if you need a nibble.
Some commercial sweeteners can be used in cooking, for instance in
custard. Sugar free jelly can easily be kept in the fridge – great if you
crave a pudding.
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You will need to take more exercise but you don’t need to join a
gym. Walk to the shops, wash the car, use the stairs instead of a lift
or borrow a dog and take it for a walk.
Moisturise your feet and check for cracks and callouses each day.
Diabetes may lead to slower healing.
Carry a diabetic card in your wallet. Your GP or diabetic nurse will
advise you if you need to inform the DVLA. If this is the case it is
likely that your driving licence will be reduced to a three year one.
Don’t panic – be honest.
Tell your family, friends and work colleagues that you have
diabetes. Many friends and family are ill-informed about diabetes
but are still eager to tell you what you can and cannot eat.
Remember you are in charge.
Don’t deprive yourself as this can make you feel angry, resentful
and unhappy. Diabetes is not a punishment. If you need a
“chocolate fix” try a child sized bar or a small Cadbury’s flake which
contains a lot of air. Remember that small steps will lead to success
and it will take several months to get used to your new lifestyle
Everyone gets minor illnesses at some time. A bout of illness like a
cold, water infection or tummy upset may cause a change in sugar
levels. Monitor levels more closely for a few days. Have a flu jab.
Low blood sugar levels can occur and this is called hypoglycaemia
(hypo). If you are taking insulin or certain medications you may be
at risk of a hypo; your GP or diabetic nurse will tell you if the
medications you are taking could cause this and will advise you on
the use of glucose tablets. Hypo symptoms include feeling shaky,
sweaty, nauseous, hungry and headachy. You need to raise your
sugar levels immediately, so act promptly on the advice you have
been given. Always carry glucose tablets and keep some in the car,
the office desk, by the bed and in your sports bag. Tablets are
available from the chemist.