With the prevalence of diabetes on the rise among Americans young and old, public health authorities and others in the medical field have stepped up their offerings of resources and support.
Texas Health and Human Services (HHS) noted a stark rise in type 2 diabetes among children and young people, a trend it said was directly related to higher rates of obesity and increasingly sedentary lifestyles. Action for Healthy Kids, a nonprofit, estimates that only 1 in 3 American children engage in an adequate amount of physical activity each day.
While taking proactive measures to avoid acquiring type 2 diabetes in the first place is best, a diagnosis does not have to spell doom. There are plenty of resources out there nowadays to help diabetics live long and healthy lives.
Some diabetics might be able to regulate their blood sugar levels through healthy eating and physical activity alone. Others might require insulin or other medications to keep their condition in check. Either way, regular health monitoring by doctors — especially of blood pressure, cholesterol, eye health, and kidney function — is important.
From Dallas-area hospitals to food banks, there is a wide range of stakeholders looking to help not only prevent diabetes but to support diabetics in managing their condition and overall well-being, as covered by The Dallas Express.
For instance, diabetes education is available through the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists, according to HHS. Free fitness and nutrition classes and telehealth coaching are also on offer, thanks to It’s Time Texas.
Eating healthy does not have to mean giving up breakfast quesadillas or tiramisu, as the ADA demonstrates with its diabetes-friendly recipes.
However, it is important to keep in mind that living with diabetes can also represent a psychological burden for some. The ADA outlines several strategies for easing diabetes-related stress, ranging from practicing gratitude to learning new ways to manage negative thoughts, such as meditation.
Overall, a diabetes diagnosis does not have to mean the loss of hope for a long, healthy life, and it especially is not something diabetics have to go through alone.