Of the 1.5 million Americans that are newly diagnosed with type-2 diabetes, most quickly realize that they are going to need support to battle the disease, not just from their doctor, but from people in all aspects of their lives.
John Costello and Roger Garza were both diagnosed with diabetes years ago. "I wasn't surprised. There was a history in the family," Costello said.
Garza added, "If you have questions about how to take care of yourself, it begins by forming a team."
That team begins with your doctor, who sends you to an endocrinologist to start the treatment. From there, your team of support keeps building, including a dietitian, who teaches patients what's best to eat.
Joel Lien, a registered dietitian, works with patients at the Texas Diabetes Institute within the University Health System. "90 percent of the time, you're making good choices, and you reach for some of the foods that you know you shouldn't reach for maybe 10 percent of the time," he said.
Another team member is a physical therapist, such as Irene Lopez, an exercise physiologist who manages the gym at the Texas Diabetes Institute within the University Health System. She teaches patients how to manage diabetes with regular exercise. "Its part of the whole package that cares for a patient with diabetes," she said.
At the gym, Costello finds his next team members, other diabetics. "You're all in the struggle together. So we are encouraging each other and it makes it easier," he said.
Garza said he finds help choosing what he should eat at the grocery store. "You can ask questions of those who work there and they know which foods are better for those who are trying to live a healthier diet," he said.
Finally, a huge support system needs to be found among family and friends who encourage you constantly to keep your health going the right way. Costello told us, "That type of motivation really makes a different in your commitment to exercise."
If you surround yourself with all of this positive support, diabetes will have much harder time winning the battle.
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