After a High Glucose Test—Moving Forward
Learning that you have type 2 diabetes or prediabetes can be frightening. You may have questions and mixed feelings. You are not alone—more than a million people receive the same diagnosis each year in the U.S. This may be the start of a healthier way. With the right resources and support, you can start making changes towards regulating your glucose levels and a healthier lifestyle. These are some simple steps to help you get started.
Learn as Much as Possible Knowledge is power. The more you learn about diabetes and glucose, the easier it is to make the right decisions. Start by finding reliable sources of information. You can learn healthy eating, exercise, stress management, and how sleep affects glucose levels. Taking a diabetes education program or self-management class may be helpful. These courses teach hands-on skills like reading food labels, preparing healthy meals, and using devices like the SIBIONICS GS1 continuous glucose monitor (CGM). The more you learn, the more at ease you'll be with managing your health.
Lean on Your Health Care Team Your physicians, nurses, dietitians, and diabetes educators are all there to help you. Ask questions and voice your concerns. They can help you create an individualized plan, such as diet recommendations, exercise, glucose monitoring, and medication when needed. Make sure to come in for all of your check-up visits—these are the building blocks of tracking your progress and making any changes that may be needed. Small changes can result in wonderful improvement in glucose control.
Don't Forget: You're Not Alone You may feel like you're managing diabetes by yourself, but you're not. There is support. It's nice to talk to other people with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. You can have a support group, share the issue online, or social network. Hearing other people's experiences about how they manage their glucose, share healthy recipes, give advice, and share successes may motivate you. Don't forget to rely on your friends and family, too—they can assist you by walking with you, cooking healthy meals together, or simply listening when you need to vent.
How SIBIONICS GS1 Can Help A continuous glucose monitor like the SIBIONICS GS1 can help you understand your patterns of glucose in real time. Here's how it can help you:
-
24/7 Glucose Data: The SIBIONICS GS1 sensor monitors your glucose levels every few minutes and sends the data directly to your smartphone app, allowing you to check your glucose at any moment.
-
Spike Detection in the Moment: The app warns you the moment your glucose spikes, so you can view what food or activity caused it and modify your ways to avoid future spikes.
-
Personalized Insights: Daily and weekly reports of your average glucose, time in range, and trends are provided by the app. These insights allow you to make small changes that improve your glucose control over time.
-
In-App Learning: Tips and articles regarding meal planning, stress management, and the development of healthy habits are provided in the app.
-
Meal and Activity Tracking: Tracking your activities and meals helps you associate your habits with your glucose levels, making it easier to recognize cause and effect.
A Final Thought Prediabetes or type 2 diabetes is a journey, but you don't have to make it alone. By learning more, seeking guidance from your healthcare team, trusting your friends and family, and using tools like the SIBIONICS GS1, you can slowly make your way towards healthier glucose levels. Every small step, whether eating a healthy snack, going for a walk, or adjusting medication, matters. Keep your mind on good change and never forget that each day is a fresh start to create habits that will serve your health well into the future.
