Self management
Diabetes is a chronic condition that requires long term support and ongoing review and management. It takes time, energy and commitment to manage your diabetes well and with the right support and information you can learn to do this.
About self management
Diabetes management is all about self management, so the person with diabetes needs to:
- Understand their diabetes so they can make informed lifestyle and treatment choices
- Learn to solve day-to-day problems that affect diabetes
- Juggle diabetes with the demands of work/school, family and social life
Diabetes can be managed better by:
- Making healthy food choices
- Incorporating physical activity into daily life
- Taking medications/insulin as prescribed
- Monitoring blood glucose levels and using the results to make adjustments
- Taking special precautions for foot care and oral hygiene
Some situations require extra care:
- Prevent and treat high and low blood glucose levels
- Manage your diabetes during illness
- When travelling
- Playing sport or exercising vigorously.
- With well supported diabetes self-management, people with diabetes can live a normal, active lifestyle, and reduce their risks of developing long term diabetes complications.
Your health care team
While you will manage your diabetes day-to-day, there will be times when you will need help from your diabetes health care team. This team includes:
- General practitioner (GP)
- Diabetes educator
- Accredited practicing dietitian
- Exercise physiologist or physiotherapist
- Endocrinologist
- Ophthalmologist or optometrist
- Podiatrist
- Pharmacist
- Psychologist or counsellor
- Peer Support
General practitioner (GP)
Your GP is an essential member of your diabetes health care team. They will work together with you to establish an individualised diabetes management plan based on your health goals. It is important to have a regular GP that you see, rather than going to see a different person each time. Your GP can work with you to establish a Chronic Disease Management Plan. This plan can incorporate a GP management plan and team care arrangements. If you do not have a regular GP then you can search for one in your local area on the Health Direct website.
Watch: Doctors: how to choose one – Better health channel
Diabetes educator
A diabetes educator is a registered nurse who has additional training in caring for and teaching people about diabetes. Many hospitals and community health centres have Credentialled Diabetes Educators (CDEs) who see people one-to-one and conduct regular diabetes management classes. It is important to have regular contact with your diabetes educator to monitor your progress and to keep you up to date with new developments.
The diabetes educator can help you to learn:
- What diabetes is and how it affects your body
- How to cope with your diagnosis and make lifestyle changes
- Learn about monitoring your blood glucose levels, the target levels to aim for, which meter is best for you
- Learning about insulin, if you need it
- How to recognise and treat low and high blood glucose levels
- How to manage your diabetes when you are sick or ill
- Keeping track of your diabetes and long term management issues
- Travelling safely with diabetes
- Planning for pregnancy and taking care of your diabetes during pregnancy.
How to access a diabetes educator:
Every person with diabetes should have access to a credentialed diabetes educator, at diagnosis and at times when their management changes or life stages, for example pregnancy or starting insulin. There are several ways to find a diabetes educator:
- If you have been a recent hospital patient, contact the hospital and ask for an appointment with the diabetes educator
- Contact your local community health centre
- Ask your doctor to refer you to a credentialed diabetes educator as part of the GP Chronic Disease Management Plan.
- Contact the Australian Diabetes Educators Association and ‘find a CDE’ (credentialed diabetes educator)
- Go to www.serviceseeker.com.au and look up ‘diabetes educator’ and your postcode
- Contact Diabetes Victoria on 1300 437 386 and ask to speak to a diabetes educator
Go to www.serviceseeker.com.au and look up ‘diabetes educator’ and your postcode
Contact Diabetes Victoria on 1300 437 386 and ask to speak to a diabetes educator.
Accredited practicing dietitian (APD)
Accredited practicing dietitians can help you to make positive changes to the food you eat. Every person diagnosed with diabetes should have access to an accredited practising dietitian (APD) for individualised, practical advice on nutrition in the form of a sample menu plan, recipe ideas, eating out suggestions and special occasion foods. Each individual needs an eating plan to meet their needs, which will assist with:
- Managing blood glucose levels
- Controlling serum lipid levels (cholesterol and triglycerides)
- Achieving a healthy body weight
- Preventing short term complications (such as high or low blood glucose) and long term complications (of the heart, blood vessels, kidneys and nerves)
- Improving overall health with optimum nutrition
How to access a dietitian:
- Many hospitals and community health centres have dietitians who see people one-to-one and in group sessions
- If you are a recent hospital patient, contact the hospital and ask for an appointment with their dietitian
- Contact your local government office or community health centre in your area
- Ask your doctor to refer you to a private practising dietitian under the GP Chronic Disease Management Plan
- Contact the Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA) on 1800 812 942.
- Contact Diabetes Victoria on 1300 437 386 and ask to speak to a dietitian
- An exercise physiologist or physiotherapist will assess your ability to exercise and help you to make positive changes in your activity patterns. How to access a physiotherapist and/or exericse physiologist:
Contact your local community health centre
Ask your doctor to refer you as part of the GP Chronic Disease Management Plan
Exercise physiologist – contact Exercise & Sports Science Australia
Physiotherapist – contact the Australian Physiotherapy Association
Endocrinologist
An endocrinologist is a doctor who specialises in diabetes and its management. Discuss referral to an endocrinologist with your GP. If you have diabetes and are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, you must see an endocrinologist.
Opthalmologist
A medical eye specialist (ophthalmologist) or optometrist will check the blood vessels at the back of your eyes. You will need a referral from your doctor for an ophthalmologist.
Podiatrist
A podiatrist will check the blood flow, nerve function and overall condition of your feet. They provide education on diabetes specific foot care and shoe selection. They are also able to treat foot problems such as ulcers, nail problems, and prescribes orthotic devices for foot deformities. How to access a podiatrist:
Contact your local community health centre
Ask your doctor to refer you as part of the GP Chronic Disease Management Plan
Contact the Australian Podiatry Association
Pharmacist
A pharmacist can help you with information about the medications and/or insulin that you take. They can provide information about:
- Side effects and adverse reactions
- Storage of medication
- Saving money including PBS Safety Net
- How to take your medicines
- Return unwanted medicines program
- Sharps disposal
Psychologist/ counsellor
Having a chronic medical condition such as diabetes can be difficult to deal with at times. People with diabetes can experience diabetes related distress, burnout, depression and anxiety. A psychologist or counsellor can help you to identify and work on the areas that are causing you problems. How to access a psychologist / counsellor:
- Talk to your GP. They can develop a Better Access to Mental Health Care plan for you. They can refer you to a psychologist as part of this plan.
- Contact your local community health care centre
- Contact the Australian Psychological Society
Peer Support
Many people find it helpful to share their experiences with other people who have diabetes. Diabetes Victoria has over 60 support and self help groups which you can join. Find out more about support groups in Victoria.
At first, learning what you need to know to manage your diabetes may seem overwhelming. But in time, and with the support of the health care team, you can become confident to self manage your diabetes and make the health care decisions that are right for you. For more information about diabetes health professionals or managing your diabetes, contact our Helpline 1300 437 386.
Speaking from experience
The ‘Speaking from Experience’ video clips offer first-hand accounts from people living with type 2 diabetes. It was produced in partnership with Diabetes Victoria. View the video clips or order the DVD