Type 2 diabetes: The newest denial disease?
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EmailAre you in denial of your type 2 diabetes diagnosis? Denial is most commonly linked to something unpleasant.
It is not easy to hear news about your health that has lifelong effects on how you live. Has your healthcare provider ever told you that you are at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes, or have any of these topics been discussed with you?
- You need to make dietary changes, such as watching your sugar, carbs or fat intake.
- You are at a higher risk for diabetes because of your age, weight, family history, race, gestational pregnancy, blood pressure or cholesterol problems.
- That you are pre-diabetic.
- That you are a borderline diabetic.
These target messages from healthcare providers can be powerful but may not provide enough motivation for behavior change. While healthcare providers emphasize the need for you to take early action, many people struggle understand what actions to take and find it difficult to accept a diabetes diagnosis and to make necessary changes. Changing habits can be challenging.
Common myths surrounding type 2 diabetes:
- Having type 2 diabetes is no big deal. In reality, the disease is very serious, and it can have devastating results if steps are not taken to manage it quickly.
- You don’t have to be concerned about my diabetes today. Not true. Many complications of type 2 diabetes (heart disease, neuropathy, vision problems) develop slowly over time when high glucose in the blood has taken its toll on organs.
- You don’t feel symptomatic. For some, there may not be a slew of symptoms, sudden complications or physical changes. Consistently high blood glucose levels can damage organs over time, even without noticeable symptoms. Continuing to make use of unhealthy lifestyle habits (uncontrolled blood glucose, a high fat diet and lack of physical activity) doesn’t bring you closer to managing the disease.
Understandably, the more we know about diabetes the better we can prevent or prolong complications. Taking the denial out of your diagnosis or risk is the first step in controlling a healthier future.
There is undeniably good news!
Diabetes can be treated and managed by healthful eating, regular physical activity and medications to lower blood glucose levels. Another critical part of diabetes management is reducing cardiovascular disease risk factors, such as high blood pressure, high lipid levels, and tobacco use. Patient education and self-care practices are important aspects of disease management that help people with diabetes stay healthy.
Your healthcare team is the best equipped to help guide you through early treatment and the management of diabetes. For more information visit the American Diabetes Association webpage.
For more programs and information about diabetes, please visit Michigan State University Extension's website.
