CAN DIABETES BE TREATED
Diabetes is a life-long condition requiring self and medical management. Thankfully, diabetes has become largely controllable – but it is crucial to know how to care for yourself and manage diabetes so that other health problems related to diabetes can be reduced or avoided.
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Needing management in type 2 diabetes are -
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Ways to help manage them are -
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The main goal of diabetes treatment for both type 1 and type 2 is to keep blood glucose levels as close to ‘normal’ as safely possible. Treatment of type 2 diabetes usually involves changes to healthy eating, weight loss (if needed) and more physical activity. Medication such as tablets (pills) or insulin may also be necessary. A person with diabetes also needs to get regular screening tests for other possible health problems related to diabetes.
Blood glucose control can be challenging Glucose levels rise and fall as we eat, sleep and go about our daily activities. Exercise, stress, emotions and common illness such as colds or flu can affect blood glucose control. Your healthcare provider may recommend you self-test your blood glucose particularly if you are taking some kinds of tablets or insulin to keep the glucose within normal range. It is essential to balance meals with periods of activity.
Regular physical activity and some level of weight loss have a major impact on improving the sensitivity of cells to the action of insulin and help efficient functioning. It is one of the easiest ways someone with diabetes can make the most of the insulin they have!
The weight loss needed to improve insulin resistance need only be 5 – 10% of total body weight.
As an indication this might be -
| Weight | 5% weight loss | New weight | 10% weight loss | New weight |
| 95 kilos | 4.5 kg | 90.5 kg | 9.5 kg | 85.5 kg |
| 85 kilos | 4.25 kg | 80.75 kg | 8.5 kg | 76.5 kg |
Exercise and insulin
Five steps to help manage diabetes
