Living Well Post Diagnosis: Diabetes

Hello Beloved! This week we encourage our sisters who are living with diabetes, while raising awareness amongst us all about this disease, so that we may embrace wholistic wellness together. This week's post features the wisdom of guest contributor, Nutritionist, Dawn Stephenson Ph.D., and the American Diabetes Association.
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The Basics
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a condition that results in excess glucose (sugar) in the blood.  The body cannot properly handle glucose due to a deficiency of the hormone insulin.

What are the potential dangers of untreated diabetes?
If not treated, high blood sugar can damage nerves, blood vessels and organs in the body. Blindness, heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, complications in pregnancy, erectile dysfunction, amputations and Alzheimer’s disease are some of the conditions that can result from untreated diabetes.There are several types of diabetes, Types 1 and 2 being most common.

If I don't have diabetes, what steps can I take to prevent it?
The good people of the American Diabetes Association have created a tool that can assess your risk and help you make changes to ensure longterm and future wellness, called My Health Advisor. Take that step today! “Knowing your numbers”, namely your blood sugar, blood pressure, blood cholesterol and body mass index (BMI) is a good strategy to prevent diabetes, other illnesses and preserve your wellbeing.

Living Well Post Diagnosis
If diagnosed, there are three types of treatment: Diet and Exercise, Diet, Exercise and Tablets or Diet, Exercise and Insulin.  The treatment is determined by the type of diabetes. Controlling diabetes means living well; a balance of diet, exercise and sleep.

If overweight or obese, weight loss will lessen the impact of diabetes. To sustain wellness, a meal plan must be established. It is extremely important to eat balanced meals and snacks at regular times during the day to keep the blood glucose level steady. Alcohol and fatty foods should be avoided, while sweet and fatty desserts should be limited. Regular exercise will help the body use insulin and lower the sugar in the blood.  

Next Steps
Pursuing wellness post diagnosis can be a challenge. The stigma, the new demands on your income and the knowledge gap can all serve as hindrances. But, in spite the stubborn darkness, there is light. There are people who will listen, people who understand and accessible resources (tangible and intangible), which may support you in your wellness journey.

The American Diabetes Association has created the "Living with Type 2 Diabetes Program". It is free and offers the following:

• 1) 6 digital, printable journeys to help you learn to live well with diabetes;
• 2) A monthly e-newsletter with tips, stories, and more resources;
• 3) 6 free issues of our award winning Diabetes Forecast® magazine;
• 4) Invitation to ADA's Ask the Experts Q&A series, accessible by phone or online and;
• 5) Access to our online community and local events.

Take care. Bless many.
Consider gifting yourself or a loved one the Let's Be Well Diabetes Box. It's a great way to kickstart or revamp your commitment to living well post diagnosis.

We love you! 

Happy temple building.

Take care. Bless many.

Dawn Stephenson is married to Stewart Stephenson for forty years, and  is the mother of three sons and two grandchildren. After earning a bachelor’s degree in natural science, she received professional teacher training, taught science in two High Schools, Teachers’ College and lectured in Nutrition at the University of the West Indies. She has a special interest in children, especially those in vulnerable environments.  This interest led her to work with mothers in poor areas, teaching them how to enhance their children’s development through play and good nutrition. She has also worked in children’s homes training caregivers to be sensitive to the needs of the children in their care and facilitating their holistic development. This work led to a Masters and Doctorate in Nutrition, along with research in obesity and diabetes.  At present she works as a nutrition consultant and volunteers as a nutritionist with Special Olympics, Jamaica. She hopes her contribution to Be-Held Temple Building will enhance knowledge in good nutrition.

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