Health coach, living with type 2 diabetes

Vasantha Ragunathan was very upset when she learned that she has type 2 diabetes. “My sister was hospitalised with an extremely high blood glucose reading of 27,” remembers the health coach from Rosanna, “and within four years she had both her legs amputated above the knee.”

Blood glucose levels for people without diabetes generally range between 3.5–8.0mmol/L. However, when living with diabetes, maintaining those levels within the target range is not always easy. For over a decade, Vasantha has managed to stay in the target range through lifestyle changes alone which have helped her to feel fit and healthy. She says: “Don’t take any shortcuts when it comes to your health.”

Vasantha now has a healthier diet and exercises regularly; she particularly enjoys walking, lifting weights and yoga. The mother of two adult sons is determined to have a good quality of life and believes that sufficient sleep and good habits are important factors in achieving this goal.

Having high blood glucose levels over a period of time can cause damage to the small and large blood vessels and the nerves. This can lead to many health complications which Vasantha is well aware of. She is a textbook example when it comes to following up with her medical team. She has her eyes checked yearly, sees her dentist and GP every six months and a podiatrist every eight weeks. She also checks her blood glucose levels at least three times a week.

Only three months ago, she followed her GP’s recommendation and started taking diabetes medication. “I didn’t like the idea,” says Vasantha. “I needed some time to accept that my body doesn’t produce enough insulin anymore.” Since starting medication, Vasantha has felt a positive effect on her health.