Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Can You Control Type 2 Diabetes

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Treatment For Type 2 Diabetes

How Can I Prevent Type 2 Diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes can be managed, and in some cases, reversed. Most treatment plans will include checking your blood glucose levels, and your doctor will tell you how often you should do it. The goal is to stay within a specific range.

Additional lifestyle changes your doctor will most likely advise to help treat your type 2 diabetes include:

  • eating foods rich in fiber and healthy carbohydrates eating fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help keep your blood glucose levels steady
  • eating at regular intervals
  • learning to listen to your body and learn to stop eating when youre full
  • manage your weight and keep your heart healthy, which typically means keeping refined carbohydrates, sweets, and animal fats to a minimum
  • get about half an hour of physical activity daily to help keep your heart healthy exercise can help to control blood glucose, too.

Your doctor will explain how to recognize the early symptoms of blood sugar thats too high or too low and what to do in each situation.

Additionally, working with a dietician can help you learn which foods can help you manage your blood sugar and which ones might cause it to become unbalanced.

Not everyone with type 2 diabetes needs to use insulin. If you do, its because your pancreas isnt making enough insulin on its own, and its crucial that you take insulin as directed. There are other prescription medications that may help as well.

How Is Type 2 Diabetes Managed

Theres no cure for Type 2 diabetes. But you can manage the condition by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and taking medication if needed. Work with your healthcare provider to manage your:

  • Blood sugar: A blood glucose meter or continuous glucose monitoring can help you meet your blood sugar target. Your healthcare provider may also recommend regular A1c tests, oral medications , insulin therapy or injectable non-insulin diabetes medications.
  • Blood pressure: Lower your blood pressure by not smoking, exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet. Your healthcare provider may recommend blood pressure medication such as beta blockers or ACE inhibitors.
  • Cholesterol: Follow a meal plan low in saturated fats, trans fat, salt and sugar. Your healthcare provider may recommend statins, which are a type of drug to lower cholesterol.

Medication To Reduce The Blood Glucose Level

Most of the medicines for type 2 diabetes are given in tablet form. However, some people with type 2 diabetes need insulin injections to help control blood sugar levels. Some people gain a great deal of benefit from insulin injections and these are sometimes used fairly soon after the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes has been made. Insulin injections can be used in combination with other medicines to further improve glucose control.

Medication is used in addition to, and not instead of, the above lifestyle measures.

Read Also: Inulin And Diabetes Type 2

Putting It All Together

Treating and managing diabetes can seem complicated at times. But your diabetes health care team is there for you. Your diabetes management plan should be easy to understand, detailed, and written down for you so that you can refer to it whenever you need to.

The good news about type 2 diabetes is that if you do the diabetes treatment steps listed above, your blood sugar levels can return to a healthier range. For some people with type 2 diabetes, that can mean not even needing to take diabetes medicines anymore.

You also might hear about alternative treatments for diabetes, such as herbal remedies and vitamin or mineral supplements. These practices can be risky, especially when people stop following the treatment plan their doctor has given them. So get the facts by talking to your diabetes health care team. They keep track of the latest research developments, and will introduce new products as they become available.

Tips For Preventing Type 2 Diabetes

How to Delay or Prevent Type 2 Diabetes

While you cant always prevent type 2 diabetes, there are a few lifestyle tweaks can help delay, or even prevent, the onset. This is true even if you have increased risk factors like prediabetes.

  • Diet. The best kind of diet to prevent type 2 diabetes is a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, healthy carbs, healthy fats, and very little refined sugar.
  • Exercise. According to the

Also Check: Type 2 Diabetes Exercise Plan

Join The Lifestyle Change Program

Find out if the lifestyle change program is right for you. Find a class near you .

If your blood test confirms you have prediabetes, join the CDC-recognized National Diabetes Prevention Program lifestyle change program to learn how to make lasting lifestyle changes to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes:

  • Work with a trained lifestyle coach, who will help you take small, manageable steps that fit in your schedule and in your life.
  • Discover how to eat healthy and add more physical activity into your day.
  • Find out how to manage stress, stay motivated, and solve problems that can slow your progress.

Control Or Reverse Diabetes Naturally

Can diabetes be controlled or reversed? Absolutely. We can beat diabetes.

The disease process associated with Type 2 diabetes can be slowed and even partially reversed by controlling blood glucose and other cardiovascular disease risk factors.

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce and/or properly use insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas. When there are troubles with insulin, glucose builds up in the blood.

  • A fasting glucose level below 100 is considered normal.
  • A fasting glucose between 100 and 125 signals pre-diabetes.
  • A fasting glucose of 126 or higher means you have diabetes.

Though silent, at least at first, diabetes can turn into a horrible disease. It can greatly increase our risk of heart attacks, strokes, peripheral arterial disease, erectile dysfunction, blindness, diabetes neuropathy, poor wound healing, and kidney failure.

There are two main types of diabetes Type 1 and Type 2. At least 90% of diabetics in America have Type 2 diabetes. Studying the evolution and lifestyle habits of humankind, we can confidently assert that Type 2 diabetes is virtually entirely preventable. Worldwide, many populations are now suffering epidemic rates of Type 2 diabetes because many populations live in a food toxic environment and exercise little or not at all.

Type 2 diabetes affects about 30 million people in the U.S. Nearly 90 million more Americans have pre-diabetes.

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How To Use The Record

First read the shaded bar across the page. This tells you:

  • the name of the test or check-up
  • how often to get the test or check-up
  • what your personal goal is

Then, write down the date and results for each test or check-up you get. Take this card with you on your health carevisits. Show it to your health care team. Talk about your goals and how you are doing.

A1C At least twice each year My goal: ______

Who Is At Risk For Type 2 Diabetes

How To Control Blood Sugars (Type 2 Diabetes)

You are at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes if you:

  • Are over age 45. Children, teenagers, and younger adults can get type 2 diabetes, but it is more common in middle-aged and older people.
  • Have prediabetes, which means that your blood sugar is higher than normal but not high enough to be called diabetes
  • Had diabetes in pregnancy or gave birth to a baby weighing 9 pounds or more.
  • Have a family history of diabetes
  • Are overweight or have obesity
  • Are Black or African American, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian, Asian American, or Pacific Islander
  • Are not physically active
  • Have low HDL cholesterol and high triglycerides
  • Have acanthosis nigricans – dark, thick, and velvety skin around your neck or armpits

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Checking Your Blood Sugar Levels

Checking your blood sugar levels is an important part of managing your diabetes, so well take you through how to check them and what your readings mean.

And weve also got more information about what happens your blood sugar levels get too low, called a hypo, or too high, called a hyper, so that youre aware of the signs and symptoms to look out for.

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Here are 3 simple tips on how to manage type 2 diabetes through food!

  • Veggies, first: Research suggests that eating vegetables and lean proteins before carbohydrates may result in a lower rise in blood sugar levels over the next few hours . While more research is needed on this topic, its possible that eating protein and veggies first is delaying how fast the carbohydrates get absorbed.
  • Choose carbs wisely: The glycemic index is a value assigned to foods based on how quickly or slowly they spike your blood sugar levels. For someone with diabetes, high GI foods can cause blood glucose levels to shoot up rapidly. Make sure that your carbs are high-fiber, whole grains like legumes, brown rice, or quinoa as these foods are high in nutrients and break down slowly into the bloodstream.
  • Up your soluble fiber intake: There are two types of fiber the type that does not dissolve in water and the kind that does . Insoluble fiber can help manage weight and prevent constipation by moving quickly through the digestive tract and adding bulk to stool. Soluble fiber, on the other hand, absorbs water and turns into a gel-like consistency during digestion. This process slows down digestion and nutrient absorption. Soluble fiber can also lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels: because it isnt well absorbed, it doesnt contribute to blood sugar spikes and can help manage type 2 diabetes.
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    Simple Ways To Overcome Diabetes

    If you are diagnosed with diabetes, the worst thing you can do is worry and stress about the matter. It will make your condition more complicated. You have control over your health and you can always make it better by taking charge of it. Following these easy and simple steps can help you control diabetes in an effective and healthy way.

    Alternative Treatments For Diabetes

    Can You Control Type 2 Diabetes Without Medication ...

    Before starting any new supplements, be sure to discuss any alternative therapies with your physician, as some may interact with the medications you may already be taking, and those medications may then need to be adjusted to prevent low blood sugar .

    It’s also important to note that self-treating with alternative medicine and avoiding or delaying standard care when you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes may be harmful to your health.

    Without proper treatment such as oral or injectable medications and regular blood sugar testing, diabetes may progress to more serious complications such as eye, liver, and kidney issues, nerve issues, diabetic coma, stroke, or even death.

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    Low intake of Vitamin D, chromium, Vitamin C, zinc, and magnesium are some of the nutrient deficiencies associated with diabetes type 2. Adequate intake of fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans, meat, eggs, and whole grains can help meet those nutrient needs and your blood sugar. But, only if those foods help you feel well.

    Elevated blood sugar can also come from the bodys response to inflammation. If you feel like youre eating right but cant figure out why your blood sugar is spiking, it may be due to a food sensitivity. The diarrhea you thought was a side effect of your medication may actually be a food sensitivity. Food sensitivities can also be the root cause of headaches, arthritis, heartburn, fibromyalgia, sinus problems, and more. The stress of these ailments has the potential to elevate blood sugars.

    The LEAP elimination diet protocol utilizes MRT food sensitivity testing to customize an anti-inflammatory diet just for you. A Certified LEAP Therapist can help you determine whether LEAP will be right for you.

    Heres The Thing: Your Journey Is Unique And It Starts Fresh Every Day

    No matter where you are with type 2 diabetes, there are some things you should know. It’s the most common form of diabetes. Type 2 means that your body doesn’t use insulin properly. And while some people can control their blood sugar levels with healthy eating and exercise, others may need medication or insulin to manage it. Regardless, you have everything you need to fight it. Not sure where to start? Learn how type 2 diabetes is diagnosed.

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    Type 2 Diabetes In Children

    Type 2 diabetes in children is a growing issue. According to the American Diabetes Association , around 193,000 Americans under age 20 have type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

    One 2016 study found that the incidence of type 2 diabetes in youth has increased to about 5,000 new cases per year. Another study from 2017 also showed a significant increase, particularly in minority races and ethnic groups.

    If your child has been diagnosed with diabetes, their doctor will need to determine if its type 1 or type 2 before suggesting a specific treatment.

    In the same way that lifestyle choices can help adults manage or even reverse their type 2 diabetes diagnosis, you can help lower your childs risk by encouraging them to eat well and to be physically active every day.

    report the following statistics about diabetes in the United States:

    • Over 30 million people have diabetes. Thats around 10 percent of the population.
    • 1 in 4 people has no idea they have diabetes.
    • Prediabetes affects 84.1 million adults, and 90 percent of them are unaware of it.
    • Non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic, and Native American adults are to have diabetes as non-Hispanic white adults.

    The ADA reports the following statistics:

    Increase Intake Of Coffee

    Taking Control: Type 2 Diabetes, Lindsey’s Story

    Coffee has various health-benefiting aspects and new research shows that having more than one cup of coffee per day can have a positive effect in reducing blood glucose. Although in the short term one might experience an increase in blood glucose level, prolonged consumption of coffee increases insulin sensitivity thereby lowering glucose levels. Of course, you must let go of the sugar, milk, and cream if you want to keep diabetes under control.

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    Is One Medication Better Than Another

    In recent years, many new medicines for treating type 2 diabetes have been developed.

    According to international guidelines, patients should take metformin as their first-line type 2 diabetes treatment unless there is a medical reason that it should not be prescribed.

    However, various factors should be taken into account when choosing a ‘second-line’ medication to add to metformin. You can find out more about the individual medicines later in this leaflet.

    • If it is important to avoid low blood glucose DPP-4 inhibitor, SGLT-2 inhibitor, pioglitazone or GLP-1 mimetic.
    • For people with a history of heart attack, stroke, etc – SGLT-2 inhibitor or GLP-1 mimetic with proven heart benefit.
    • For people with a history of heart failure or chronic kidney disease – SGLT-2 inhibitor or, if not suitable, GLP-1 mimetic.
    • For people where weight loss or avoiding weight gain is important – SGLT-2 inhibitor or GLP-1 mimetic .
    • In the UK, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommends that with some exceptions, GLP-1 mimetics should only be prescribed for people with a body mass index over 35.

    What Are Treatments For Type 2 Diabetes

    Unless its absolutely necessary, insulin should not be used to treat type 2 diabetes. Dr. Bergquist explains, Injecting insulin improves blood sugar but worsens underlying insulin resistance. Insulin is a fat-storage hormone. Higher insulin leads to more fat storage in organs where its toxic, making them more insulin resistant.

    Insulin should only be used when the pancreas fails and the B cells cannot be regenerated, says Dr. Apovian. When type 2 diabetes is caught early enough, you can reverse it with lifestyle, medication, and bariatric surgery. In certain cases, when a person is severely overweight, bariatric surgery is a successful treatment for type 2 diabetes, because it effectively decreases a persons body weight set point and can reverse hormonal imbalances that underlie obesity and fuel type 2 diabetes.

    Additionally, new type 2 diabetes medications have been approved by the FDA, including a class of drugs known as glucagon-like-peptides , which aid the pancreas in producing more insulin by decreasing glucose production in the liver. Researchers are also working to understand the role that inflammation and hormonal imbalances have in the development of T2D.

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    Cut The Carbs Reduce Your Blood Sugar And Insulin Levels

    While sugar is the bodys preferred form of fuel, we are equally well-equipped to burn fatboth dietary fat and stored body fatfor fuel. And when we decrease carbohydrate intake, thats exactly what happens.

    Heres how the carbohydrate/blood sugar connection works: when we eat carbs, our bodies rapidly convert them into sugar, which can hit the bloodstream in as little as 15 minutes if theyre simple carbs like sugars and starches. This causes blood sugar to spike. Once blood sugar gets to a certain level our bodies produce insulin, which signals our muscles to take in more glucose to clear it out of our blood, our kidneys to eliminate excess sugar through urine, and more. It also tells our bodies to store excess blood sugar as fat, and we gain weight.

    The more sugar in our blood, the more insulin our bodies must produce to counteract it. When we consistently eat a high-carb diet, as most Americans do, our bodies must produce more and more insulin to keep blood sugar stable. Eventually this leads to insulin resistance, which means that the signal gets lost in translation somewhere and our bodies lose the ability to clear all that excess sugar from our blood. And as we all know, consistently high blood sugar levels are the definition of type 2 diabetes.

    However, results arent necessarily instantaneous. Depending on how long you have been diabetic, it may take as little as three or four months or as long as a year to eighteen months to see real results.

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