The only way to manage Type-2 Diabetes is by balancing blood sugar (glucose) levels else it can even result into complications of the disease. It is difficult to get over Type-2 Diabetes completely but one can control it through right medications, weight reduction, and with the right dietary habits.
The following article will explain some basic yet important steps that can help to manage type 2 diabetes effectively.
Changing Dietary Habits
Although there is no such specific diet for diabetes patients but it is recommended to restrict your diet to high-fiber but low-fat foods. This includes fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also animal products, refined carbohydrates and sweets should be very limited in your diet.
Low glycemic index foods are also recommended for diabetes patients. Consuming foods with a high glycemic index will raise blood sugar levels quickly but low glycemic foods will lead to stable blood sugar levels in the body. Moreover, foods with a low glycemic index have more fiber content than high glycemic foods.
It is good to consult a certified dietitian who can guide you about the meal plan as per your health condition, food preferences and lifestyle.
Physical Activity Is Must
Physical activity will not just keep you refreshed it will also help you to shed off extra pounds which are must for Type-2 Diabetes patients. It is advisable to refer to your doctor before you plan your exercise routine.
But make sure you follow a regular exercise routine comprising of aerobics, walking, swimming and biking. You should target to dedicate at least half an hour of your day for physical activity.
Get in touch with a yoga teacher to learn some basic yoga poses and then learn some tough stretching and strength training exercises. This will help to lower blood sugar levels and also lower your body weight.
Regularly Monitor Your Blood Sugar
It is must to monitor your blood sugar levels regularly. This will help to keep the blood sugar levels balanced and also encourage you to lower it and reach on your target. You doctor can advise you how often you need to check your blood sugar. This will even help you to keep a check on how your lifestyle and eating habits are affecting blood sugar level.
Managing blood sugar levels with medications and insulin therapy
For some people it is possible to manage their blood sugar levels with diet and exercise alone, but some others have to switch to medications or insulin therapy for achieving control.
These medications are prescribed by your doctor depending on your present health condition and lifestyle.
Following are examples of possible treatments for type 2 diabetes:
Metformin (Glucophage, Glumetza, others)
Metformin is the first medication prescribed by the doctor to type 2 diabetes patients. It helps to improve the sensitivity of your body tissues to insulin and allows the body to utilize insulin effectively.
Metformin also helps to lower glucose production in the liver. But Metformin can result into nausea and diarrhea which may go away as the body gets used to it.
Sulfonylureas
It helps to boost insulin secretions by the body. The medicines of this class are: glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase), glipizide (Glucotrol) and glimepiride (Amaryl). Side effects of these medicines are: low blood sugar and weight gain.
Meglitinides
They work the same way as sulfonylureas by boosting the insulin secretion levels of the body. But they have much lesser risk of lowering blood sugar as compared to sulfonylureas.
Insulin Therapy
If needed doctors prescribe a mixture of insulin types that have to be used during the whole day. The following are some of the insulin types all of which work in a different way.
• Insulin glulisine (Apidra)
• Insulin lispro (Humalog)
• Insulin aspart (Novolog)
• Insulin glargine (Lantus)
• Insulin detemir (Levemir)
• Insulin isophane (Humulin N, Novolin N)
Consult your doctor for the medications that will help you to lower blood suagr levels and lead a healthy life.
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