Avoid diabetes complications 

If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, don’t feel alone. An astonishing 11.1 percent of Maryland’s population has been diagnosed with diabetes and in Delaware, it’s 11.6 percent. Diabetes can affect people in many ways, but if you take control, you can lessen many of the complications that it can cause. 

The first step you should take is getting medical support. There are many classes you can take, often for free or covered by Medicare or insurance, that will help you learn in a hands-on way what you need to do to stay healthy with diabetes. Medical nutrition classes are also available.  

If you are worried about cost, please take part in a free TidalHealth diabetes support group; these can be a wealth of information and are always completely free. They are led by experts, whose advice you can trust. You can also find support among peers who are living the same diabetes reality you are facing. 

“I really enjoy the diabetes support group meetings and listening to the speakers,” said participant Debra Ross. “Dr. Snitzer was very good speaking on what to do when you have to fast. I learned a lot about my medications, which are fast-acting and not.” 

The TidalHealth team that treats diabetes is exceptional — we’re fortunate to have so many diabetes resources in our backyard. In addition to endocrinologist Dr. Jack Snitzer, specialists, diabetes educators, dietitians and nurses are available in Salisbury and Seaford to help you on your path to living well with diabetes. Kelly Birch, a registered nurse and diabetes educator, even speaks from personal experience as she lives with diabetes.  

The team has a lot of recommendations for anyone with diabetes, and you should check out their thorough website that will answer lots of questions for everyone from the newly diagnosed to those who may have been managing their conditions for years.

Why is this so important? Diabetes complications can have a snowball effect. For example, neuropathy, or nerve damage, is one of the most common complications. It can be a source of numbness. It can also cause poor blood circulation. Maybe you think you can live with that, but these can contribute to a need for amputation as the numbness might allow you to overlook signs of infection, and the reduced blood flow makes it harder for your feet to heal.  

People with diabetes are twice as likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke; one in three people with diabetes ends up with chronic kidney disease as well. But you don’t have to resign yourself to the worst-case scenarios. Managing diabetes can not only give you a longer life, but a healthier and happier one as well.