Recently Diagnosed with Diabetes…Now What?
(PRWEB) June 25, 2015 -- Overwhelmed. Shocked. Anxious. Confused. These are just a few of the emotions any person may feel when diagnosed with diabetes. While each response is unique, there are some immediate steps that can provide clarity and peace of mind. The National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators (NCBDE) offers these three steps for a healthy start to all those who have recently been told they have diabetes:
• Insurance review: It’s important to find out how existing insurance will cover the cost of medications and health care visits for diabetes management. Some items to find out about include the costs of office visits, medications and blood glucose strips. Then there are insurance terms, such co-pays, out-of-pocket expenses, seeing out-of-network providers, specialists (such as an endocrinologist), and so on. Contact insurance companies early to address these items. For those currently without health insurance, now is the time to investigate options for obtaining coverage.
• Consult the experts: Making daily healthy choices for diabetes management can be complex. Consider talking with diabetes experts who are trained in helping individuals with diabetes make the best possible decisions. A Certified Diabetes Educator® (CDE®) has the knowledge and experience to help people dealing with diabetes learn how to effectively manage existing issues and improve health in the long run. A CDE has spent thousands of hours helping people with diabetes care and has passed an exam about diabetes. CDEs also are experts in health because they are nurses, dietitians, pharmacists, doctors, exercise specialists, and more. A CDE is a partner in finding the best ways to manage diabetes every day.
• Arrange support: Consider the available support options, including one-on-one diabetes education or group support, particularly in the early stages. Even joining in an online chat group can offer a place to talk through worries and frustrations. Support throughout the process is essential as is understanding the impacts a diabetes diagnosis will have friends and family. The American Diabetes Association can provide a helpful starting point for finding local support. Or, ask your CDE for a recommendation.
For more resources on diabetes management, visit the “Living with Diabetes” section of NCBDE's website (http://www.ncbde.org) or contact the American Diabetes Association at http://www.diabetes.org. Receiving a diabetes diagnosis comes with a wide variety of emotions. Fortunately, there are just as many resources available to help make these lifelong adjustments a little less challenging.
Cynthia Allen, SeaCrest, +1 8776199885 Ext: 703, [email protected]
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