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By Jenilee Matz, M.P.H., Staff Writer, myOptumHealth

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Finding out you have diabetes can be overwhelming. Blood sugar checks, taking insulin, a new diet. Luckily, you don't have to go at it alone. Enter the diabetes educator. A diabetes educator will help you make sense of your diagnosis, and get you on track to good blood sugar control.

What is a diabetes educator?

Diabetes educators are trained, often certified health professionals (called certified diabetes educator or CDE) who help you with day-to-day methods for managing your diabetes. They give you the skills you need to live a healthy lifestyle and take charge of your health. As a result, your blood sugar levels will be better under control.

Your diabetes educator may also be a nurse or a registered dietician. It's possible that he or she can help you with even more aspects of your diabetes care.

Focus on behavior change

The goal of your diabetes educator is to help you learn self-management skills that will lead to good glucose control. Diabetes educators focus on seven key behaviors to get your diabetes in check. They teach you how to:

1. Have good nutrition. What and when you eat affects your blood sugar levels. Children and teens need to eat well to grow. Adults need to maintain a healthy weight to reduce their risk of complications. Your diabetes educator teaches you how to:
   • Make healthy meal and snack choices
   • Keep portion sizes in check
   • Read a nutrition label
   • Prepare nutritious meals
2. Be physically active. Being active helps keep blood sugar under control, aids weight loss and improves blood pressure and cholesterol levels. This lowers your risk for medical problems. Diabetes educators will teach you how to overcome exercise obstacles. You'll also work together to create a workout program that suits your needs.
3. Know your numbers. Daily blood sugar checks are a must for people with diabetes. Knowing your blood sugar levels helps you and your doctor see if your treatment plan is working. Other numbers are important, too. You may need to take your blood pressure, check for ketones and weigh yourself regularly. Diabetes educators will help you:
   • Choose a glucose meter and give tips for using it
   • Know when to test your blood sugar, blood pressure, check for ketones or weigh yourself
   • Know what your readings mean
   • Keep track of your results
4. Take your insulin and medication. Your diabetes educator will give you tips on taking insulin and teach you how medicine affects your body, including possible side effects.
5. Solve problems. Things are going to happen that take a toll on blood sugar control. You may get sick, feel stressed, not eat enough or exercise too hard. Your diabetes educator will teach you how to prevent and treat these reactions so you're ready to deal with them when they occur.
6. Cope with your illness. Your diabetes educator is there to offer support. She will help you cope with your worries, fears and guide you in making decisions about your care.
7. Reduce your risk of complications. People who have diabetes are at risk for heart disease, stroke, kidney damage and blindness. Your diabetes educator will teach you about the link between diabetes and other diseases. He will also give you tips to reduce your risks.

Types of diabetes educators

There are two types of certification for diabetes educators:

• Certified Diabetes Educators (CDEs) are certified by the National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators.
• Board Certified in Advanced Diabetes Management (BC-ADM) certification is offered jointly by the American Association of Diabetes Educators and the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

CDEs and BC-ADMs both:

• Are trained health professionals
• Have extensive experience with diabetes
• Take continuing education courses to stay up-to-date with the diabetes field

Is a diabetes educator for me?

A diabetes educator is a great resource for people with diabetes. If you are newly diagnosed or have trouble controlling your blood sugar, a diabetes educator can help you take charge of your disease.

Your doctor can refer you to a diabetes educator in your area. You may meet one-on-one with an educator or in a group setting. The cost of seeing a diabetes educator may be covered by your health insurance. Check with your insurance company to find out.

View the original The role of your diabetes educator article on myOptumHealth.com 

SOURCES:

• American Association of Diabetes Educators. AADE7 self-care behaviors. Accessed: 10/14/2009

• Barlow S, Crean J, Heizler A, Mulcahy K, Springer J. Diabetes educators: assessment of an evolving practice. The Diabetes Educator. 2005;31(3):359-372. Accessed: 10/14/2009

• American Diabetes Association. Your health care team. Accessed: 10/14/2009

• National Certification Board for Diabetes Educators. NBCDE FAQs. Accessed: 10/14/2009

• American Association of Diabetes Educators. Role of the diabetes educator. Accessed: 10/14/2009