Um... someone I Know was diagnosed with diabetes....?

Question

Is there any special way I can be there for them Right now I still can't get over the diagnosis

Answer 1

http://www.diabetes.org/home.jsp

Answer 2

Diabetes is a chronic illness that thousands of people live with everyday. Diabetes is a disease that affects the metabolism of sugar in the body, and keeping sugar levels in check is how a person treats diabetes. The best way to support your friend is to help them engage in healthy lifestyle habits, such as walking and healthy eating. Maybe the two of you could exercise for 30-60 minutes almost every day of the week. Or you could go together to a nutritionist who specializes in diabetes management and learn about new ways of cooking foods that will help with the diabetes treatment. Most importantly, your friend needs to follow their doctors advice, take their insulin when they're suppose to, and eat their meals when they're suppose to. Remember diabetes is not a death sentence in any way. It just needs to be managed properly to avoid potentialy adverse side effects.

Answer 3

Diabetes is not a death sentence, with proper diet and exercise a diabetic can lead a normal life for as long as a normal life extends. There are diabetic people who run the Ironman, do other marathons, climb mountains etc etc. There is a learning curve to go through but as long as you know your limits and stay within them you are fine. Offer to help your friend try out new recipes for diabetics, you will both learn something and have a great dinner to celebrate with afterwards.

Answer 4

No special way

They will have a lot to come to terms with

There is the ever present threat that if they don't look after their diabetes they could wind up with heart disease or bad arteries in the arms or legs and have their toes chopped off and develop "salami syndrome"

To look after their diabetes they will need to take their blood sugar levels lots - pricking fingers few times a day

They may need to give themselves insulin (more needles)

So it IS a big deal!

They will want moral support and general support.

Answer 5

Hmm....don't know, but my sister was diagnosis with diabetes too, and i had gestational diabetes when i was pregnant. So she seems to be doing really good, and it doesn't bother her much, and it didn't bother me much either. Its just that you have to watch what you eat, and go through that whole needle process for like forever and that can get really annoying. But it'll be okay.

Answer 6

Be as supportive as you can be. Spend time with this person and offer to go for walks with them (exercise is important)...encourage them that many people lead full, productive lives while managing diabetes. Do as much research as you can so you understand the disease and the treatment. I wish you and your friend the best

Answer 7

My best friend had diabetes when we were growing up.

It really sucked for him as a child getting pricked in the finger and having to get insulin shots all the time.

Not sure what you can do for your friend except try to do fun things with them.

Try to keep them involved in the activities they enjoy.

Answer 8

Just be there for them and dont try to treat them any different then you did before. My mom was diagnosed about 6 years ago and has been fine with hardly any problems at all.

Answer 9

Good grief ! It's not a death sentence LOL. They just have to change their lifestyle of eating is all and depending on how sever the diabetes is.....they may have to take insulin shots.

Answer 10

WOW how sad have the best time u can wit um...make ther short days the bestest in the world

Answer 11

It's gonna suck. You know your friend better than us. You would know if he or she would want to be pitied or not be treated any differently. Just be there and let them decide how you can best help. Whether it's a shoulder to cry on or someone to yell at, just be there.