Diabetes is a disease that needs to be managed, and it is important to watch what you eat, monitor your blood glucose levels regularly, and keep them stable by taking medications. If a partner is diabetic, you can help him or her in the following ways.
- Understanding the disease There are many different misconceptions about diabetes. For example, it is not true that people with a sweet tooth are more likely to develop the disease, or that exercise is not safe for people with diabetes. Understanding how diabetes occurs, how to prevent emergencies or complications, and having information about it can be beneficial in helping your partner. Perhaps asking your partner if he or she needs to accompany him or her to the doctor is the biggest help.
- The whole family works together A partner’s diagnosis of diabetes is a great opportunity for the whole family to begin to adopt healthy habits. Mobilize everyone in the family to eat well, stop smoking, and exercise more.
- Let go when appropriate Remember that the person with diabetes is the one who is managing the disease. Please do not create a care plan for your partner or monitor his or her diet. Living with diabetes can be a chore, and encouragement and support are better than counterintuitive advice or worse, scolding.
- Help relieve stress Stress can cause blood sugar levels to rise and even make the disease difficult to manage. But managing this disease can be really stressful. So, encourage your partner to speak up about feelings and difficulties. Do more fun things together like meditation, walking, gardening, or watching comedy movies.
- Anticipate mood swings Blood sugar fluctuations can make people feel irritable, confused, anxious or irritable. The better the blood sugar control, the more it helps reduce these swings. Provide emotional support and encourage your partner to join a support group or professional counseling if you think it will help.
- Talking about gender issues Diabetes can involve many parts of the body, including the sex organs. Women with diabetes are more likely to have vaginal and urinary tract infections, and problems such as nerve damage can cause vaginal dryness, leading to uncomfortable or even painful sex. Men with diabetes are more likely to develop erectile dysfunction. Sometimes, diabetes can affect a person’s self-esteem and even lead to the development of sexual frigidity.
Please voice any concerns you have and encourage your partner to share any inner concerns with your doctor.