from time to time but, when you have diabetes, something as simple as a cold or flu can quickly lead to greatly elevated blood sugar levels and you can find quickly find yourself in serious trouble.

It is very important therefore that you have a clear plan to cope with illness and you should discuss this with your doctor.

5. Becoming a prisoner of your condition. Many diabetes sufferers feel that they can no longer get out and about and, in particular, go away from home on holiday, thereby effectively becoming a prisoner of

In the coming year over ten thousand people in the United States will be told that they have type 2 diabetes and their reactions to this news will vary widely. There is however a pattern to these reactions and here we'll look at five which are commonly seen.

1. Anger. In many cases the first reaction is one of anger that this disease should have come into their life and is now threatening their future. This anger is often aimed at the disease itself and those diagnosed often comment that they "hate this disease" and "want to have nothing to do with it".

Anger is one of our most destructive emotions, but it can also be a powerful force for good and the secret to coping with diabetes lies in understanding your anger and then channel it into fighting your diabetes.

2. Denial. Another common reaction is denial, especially when the diagnosis is made at an early stage and the symptoms are very mild.

Because type 2 diabetes usually progresses quite slowly, denial at this stage isn't too much of a problem and it is quite common for doctors to allow patients time to "get used to the idea". However, continued denial and a wish to "carry on regardless", without accepting treatment can lead to serious complications. Once diabetes has been diagnosed it isn't simply going to disappear and it is essential that patients accept this fact and accept treatment from their doctor.

3. Depression. Living with diabetes can be difficult, particularly as the disease progresses and complications begin to set in. There will also be occasions when it is hard to keep your blood sugar levels under control and it is only natural to feel that you are fighting a losing battle.

If depressed does set in then don't simply bottle it up but discuss it with your doctor. Often there is a simple physical cause for your depression which can be treated quickly and easily and, when this is not the case, then being able to talk through your feelings with somebody who understands your problem and is in a position to help in putting together a strategy to overcome your depression can be extremely helpful.

4. Sickness. Everyone gets sick from time to time but, when you have diabetes, something as simple as a cold or flu can quickly lead to greatly elevated blood sugar levels and you can find quickly find yourself in serious trouble.

It is very important therefore that you have a clear plan to cope with illness and you should discuss this with your doctor.

5. Becoming a prisoner of your condition. Many diabetes sufferers feel that they can no longer get out and about and, in particular, go away from home on holiday, thereby effectively becoming a prisoner of

nothing to do with it".

Anger is one of our most destructive emotions, but it can also be a powerful force for good and the secret to coping with diabetes lies in understanding your anger and then channel it into fighting your diabetes.

2. Denial. Another common reaction is denial, especially when the diagnosis is made at an early stage and the symptoms are very mild.

Because type 2 diabetes usually progresses quite slowly, denial at this stage isn't too much of a problem and it is quite common for doctors to allow patients time to "get used to the idea". However, continued denial and a wish to "carry on regardless", without accepting treatment can lead to serious complications. Once diabetes has been diagnosed it isn't simply going to disappear and it is essential that patients accept this fact and accept treatment from their doctor.

3. Depression. Living with diabetes can be difficult, particularly as the disease progresses and complications begin to set in. There will also be occasions when it is hard to keep your blood sugar levels under control and it is only natural to feel that you are fighting a losing battle.

If depressed does set in then don't simply bottle it up but discuss it with your doctor. Often there is a simple physical cause for your depression which can be treated quickly and easily and, when this is not the case, then being able to talk through your feelings with somebody who understands your problem and is in a position to help in putting together a strategy to overcome your depression can be extremely helpful.

4. Sickness. Everyone gets sick from time to time but, when you have diabetes, something as simple as a cold or flu can quickly lead to greatly elevated blood sugar levels and you can find quickly find yourself in serious trouble.

It is very important therefore that you have a clear plan to cope with illness and you should discuss this with your doctor.

5. Becoming a prisoner of your condition. Many diabetes sufferers feel that they can no longer get out and about and, in particular, go away from home on holiday, thereby effectively becoming a prisoner of

ients time to "get used to the idea". However, continued denial and a wish to "carry on regardless", without accepting treatment can lead to serious complications. Once diabetes has been diagnosed it isn't simply going to disappear and it is essential that patients accept this fact and accept treatment from their doctor.

3. Depression. Living with diabetes can be difficult, particularly as the disease progresses and complications begin to set in. There will also be occasions when it is hard to keep your blood sugar levels under control and it is only natural to feel that you are fighting a losing battle.

If depressed does set in then don't simply bottle it up but discuss it with your doctor. Often there is a simple physical cause for your depression which can be treated quickly and easily and, when this is not the case, then being able to talk through your feelings with somebody who understands your problem and is in a position to help in putting together a strategy to overcome your depression can be extremely helpful.

4. Sickness. Everyone gets sick from time to time but, when you have diabetes, something as simple as a cold or flu can quickly lead to greatly elevated blood sugar levels and you can find quickly find yourself in serious trouble.

It is very important therefore that you have a clear plan to cope with illness and you should discuss this with your doctor.

5. Becoming a prisoner of your condition. Many diabetes sufferers feel that they can no longer get out and about and, in particular, go away from home on holiday, thereby effectively becoming a prisoner of

ntrol and it is only natural to feel that you are fighting a losing battle.

If depressed does set in then don't simply bottle it up but discuss it with your doctor. Often there is a simple physical cause for your depression which can be treated quickly and easily and, when this is not the case, then being able to talk through your feelings with somebody who understands your problem and is in a position to help in putting together a strategy to overcome your depression can be extremely helpful.

4. Sickness. Everyone gets sick from time to time but, when you have diabetes, something as simple as a cold or flu can quickly lead to greatly elevated blood sugar levels and you can find quickly find yourself in serious trouble.

It is very important therefore that you have a clear plan to cope with illness and you should discuss this with your doctor.

5. Becoming a prisoner of your condition. Many diabetes sufferers feel that they can no longer get out and about and, in particular, go away from home on holiday, thereby effectively becoming a prisoner of

from time to time but, when you have diabetes, something as simple as a cold or flu can quickly lead to greatly elevated blood sugar levels and you can find quickly find yourself in serious trouble.

It is very important therefore that you have a clear plan to cope with illness and you should discuss this with your doctor.

5. Becoming a prisoner of your condition. Many diabetes sufferers feel that they can no longer get out and about and, in particular, go away from home on holiday, thereby effectively becoming a prisoner of their condition.

There is no reason at all why you should not continue to enjoy life to the full and that includes traveling abroad either on business or for pleasure. As a diabetes sufferer it is simply important to think about such things as where you are going, how you will be traveling, what you will be eating and a variety of other things and plan accordingly. Traveling may become a little bit more difficult, but you certainly don't have to stay at home.

These are just a few of the difficulties that many people are faced with when diabetes is diagnosed. However, none of these problems are insurmountable and millions of people are living full, happy and productive lives despite suffering from diabetes.