I know what you are thinking…
Why should I be grateful for a chronic disease that involves practically everything I do as well as cause more medical problems if I don’t toe the line?
Consider the following:
1. Diabetes is well-defined. You either have it or you don’t. There are warnings that you may get it later such as family history, having insulin resistance and having prediabetes. Fasting blood sugar of 126 or more is diabetes and hemoglobin A1C of 6.5% or more makes the diagnosis.
2. Diabetes is easy to monitor. Technology is helping. Sticking your finger daily or wearing a continuous monitor will allow you to stay in a good sugar range and prevent complications.
3. Habits such as a healthy diet and exercise help improve your diabetes as well as help with practically every other chronic health problem.
4. Diabetes Medications are much better now that ever. They actually help with weight loss, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and heart disease.
5. But the best one, is when you have a low blood sugar, you can eat candy. You also have a reason to carry food with you all the time.
In this month of November which is Diabetes Month as well as Thanksgiving, remember to give thanks for all your family and friends who help you with your diabetes. Acknowledge that having diabetes can actually make you healthier.
