There are many factors to consider when managing type 2 diabetes. Having healthcare providers and products that can help you on your journey can make management easier. Health‘s Type 2 Diabetes Advocate Alissa Dalessandro has six things in his “diabetes toolbox.” She explains what is in this toolbox and how these things have helped her.
Managing diabetes comes with good days, bad days, and everything in between. Eight years into living with type 2 diabetes, I’m still learning new tips and tricks every day that help me better understand what’s going on in my body.
You cannot manage diabetes alone or in a vacuum. As technology improves and new studies come out, I wouldn’t say living with diabetes is any easier, but I’ve gained more strength. I feel more armed with the tools and knowledge I need to best manage life with this chronic illness.
I want to share what works for me, in hopes that it can help you too! Here’s what’s in my diabetes toolbox — my six must-haves for living with type 2 diabetes.
First, the best tool in your kit is your care team! As a plus-sized person, I know all too well what it’s like to have your concerns dismissed and dismissed with the “just lose weight” comment. You want a healthcare provider who listens to you, hears your concerns, and is committed to treating you as more than a number on a scale.
I have been with my primary care physician for almost my entire diabetes journey. Although she wasn’t fully versed in the Health at Every Size (HAES) approach I was looking for—where a health professional doesn’t make weight loss the main focus—she was open to learning. We focused on the number that is the best measure of my diabetes: My A1C. I knew we were on the same page recently when my doctor walked in yelling, “Congratulations!” after the lowest A1C reading I’d had in five years despite the number on the scale being the highest it’s ever been. She is my doctor because our values align. She understands that weight does not equate to health.
All this to say, find a doctor who treats you the way you want to be treated. If you want patient-centered care, you deserve it! Do you want tough love? Get a doctor to push you. Don’t settle for a doctor who isn’t part of the team and is committed to managing your diabetes at the same time with you.
When I was first diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, I was given a piece of paper with lines to stick my finger in to check my blood glucose (sugar) level. At first, I stuck to that schedule, and my doctor and I would discuss blood sugar trends every three months during checkups.
As I became more comfortable living with diabetes, I checked my blood sugar less often. I needed a tool that could keep me accountable and keep me better in touch with my numbers. It turns out that this paper-and-pencil method pales in comparison to using a continuous glucose monitor (CGM).
A few finger pricks a day can never give you the same kind of data as the 24/7 monitoring you can get from current CGMs on the market. Right now I love wearing the new Stelo CGM for people like me with non-insulin dependent type 2 diabetes. It may also be good for people with prediabetes.
Always pack an extra CGM when traveling and don’t forget extra waterproof patches when you know you’ll be spending a lot of time in the water.
When you have type 2 diabetes and are not dependent on insulin, water consumption plays a huge role. As blood glucose levels rise, drinking water is one of the main tools to reduce sugar. Water helps flush sugar out of the kidneys.
Developing the habit of drinking water can be a challenge. The key for me was a reusable water bottle that fits in the car cup holder. I knew I also needed something I could throw in my bag. I found an insulated stainless steel water bottle with a straw lid in the brightest color I could find. I covered it with fun stickers that expressed my personality. It suits my lifestyle when I’m at home and it’s easy to carry in my bag when I travel.
You can choose to further boost your hydration by adding electrolytes to your water. Electrolyte drinks come in many forms these days. I love Rainbow Sherbert Sugar Free Liquid IV Hydration Multiplier and how easy it is to pack for travel. If you travel abroad a lot like me and are not sure about the water quality, bring water purification tablets. These tablets can be added to water to kill pathogens, such as bacteria, that may be present, making the water safe to drink.
People living with diabetes are more prone to overheating. If you’ve had blood vessel or nerve damage from diabetes, your sweat glands may have been affected in a way that you can’t cool down like you used to. It’s even harder to stay cool when it’s hot and moist.
This is something I have personally experienced, having recently traveled to two countries near the equator: Indonesia and Colombia. I felt the heat so intensely and could not survive without my portable fan. The best handheld motorized fan I’ve found is rechargeable and has five speed settings.
High temperatures can also change the way your body uses insulin. A portable fan can help keep your body cool enough to use insulin properly.
I have tried many different medications over the years to manage type 2 diabetes. I know that the medications that work for me may not work for you. All of our bodies are so individual and different. I trust you will have those important conversations with your providers.
I will say that consistency in taking medication is absolutely huge. Before I had a daily pill box, I just kept a generic, cute little pill box in my purse. I thought I was taking my meds well, but I had no visual way of checking since the days weren’t marked in my case.
For me, getting a pill box with separate compartments by day and time of day made it so much easier to keep myself accountable. If you’re traveling, I also recommend getting a pill case with pop-out compartments. This way, instead of carrying a bulky box, you only have to bring the pills you need for the days you’ll be away.
If you need even more to remember to take your medication, there are pill boxes with timers that let you know when you’ve missed a dose.
All parts of your body are important, but when you have diabetes, you need to take extra care of your feet. Diabetic foot ulcers (ulcers) are believed to affect more than 20% of people who have diabetes. Such injuries can eventually lead to amputation, and diabetes is the leading cause of lower extremity amputations that are not related to something traumatic, such as an accident.
This was one of the things I was a little frivolous about at the beginning of my diagnosis, but I learned the value of taking care of my body from head to toe. I’ve always been more interested in how a shoe looks than the protection it provides. My podiatrist said otherwise and helped me find stable shoes so I wasn’t as prone to blisters and other foot irritations. Brands she suggested include Hoka, Brooks, Oofos and New Balance.
Support can also come in the form of socks, as they can help prevent blisters.
If you get blisters, pay attention to the wound. Always carry a first aid kit with appropriate wound care. I have personally found the most success using hydrocolloid dressings.
Your diabetes toolbox may not look like mine, and that’s okay! The most important thing is to find what works for you. Stay open to new things, but most importantly, stay in tune with your body. I know you can do this!