Easy Ways to Manage Type2 Diabetes

Easy Ways to Manage Type2 Diabetes

Easy ways to manage Type

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that affects the way body metabolizes sugar (glucose), which is the main source of fuel.

In type 2 diabetes, either the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. Insulin is necessary for the body to be able to use glucose for energy. When you eat food, the body breaks down all of the sugars and starches into glucose, which is the basic fuel for the cells in the body. Insulin takes the sugar from the blood into the cells. When glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into cells, it can lead to diabetes complications.

Unfortunately, there's no cure for type 2 diabetes, but you can manage the condition. Knowledge can go a long way toward easing the stress of the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. Knowing how to eat, exercise, and monitor your blood glucose levels are the first steps in understanding what type 2 diabetes means for you.

We provide you few easy steps to keep Type 2 Diabetes under control.


Healthy Eating:

Include plenty of fruits, Vegetables, Whole grains and fibre rich foods in your diet. These foods are high in nutrition and low in fat and calories. Limit the consumption of animal products and sweets.


Physical Activity:

Aim for at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise (walking, swimming and cycling). Stretching and strength training exercises are important, too. Eat a light, healthy snack before exercising. Physical activity moves sugar from your blood into your cells. The more active you are, the lower your blood sugar level.


Monitoring Your Blood Sugar:

Check and record your blood sugar level once a day or several times a week as suggested by your doctor. Careful monitoring is the only way to make sure that your blood sugar level remains within your target range.


Checkup Checklist:

Make sure you get regular checkups for potentially serious complications. Doing so will help prevent heart attacks and strokes (the most common causes of death among people with diabetes) as well as kidney disease and blindness. In addition, be sure you get your blood pressure, cholesterol, kidney function, and eyes checked on a regular basis, as all of these can be affected by your type-2 diabetes.


Control Sleep Apnea:

Many overweight people may stop temporarily breathing in sleep which is known as Sleep Apnea. They may face risks of death, heart attack and stroke. Severe cases of sleep apnea may need to be treated with surgery or by wearing a special device while sleeping, but less severe cases can be managed by losing weight. Talk to your doctor if you suspect you may have sleep apnea — loud snoring is one sign. A special sleep test can diagnose sleep apnea.

Keep a glucagon kit nearby in case of a low blood sugar emergency — and make sure your friends and loved ones know how to use it.

There's some evidence that coffee and, possibly, tea drinking may decrease your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, but more research is needed.

Avoid smoke and alcohol as they increase your risk of various diabetes complications, including heart attack, stroke, and nerve damage and kidney disease.

If you're stressed, learn relaxation techniques. Practice Yoga and get plenty of sleep.

Above all, stay positive. Diabetes is a serious disease, but it can be controlled. If you're willing to do your part, you can enjoy an active, healthy life with type 2 diabetes. Take comfort in the fact that ongoing research continues to find new ways to improve the lives of those with diabetes.

Reviewed By:

Dr. Kaushal M. Bhavsar (MBBS, MD)

Assistant Professor in Pulmonary Medicine, GMERS Medical College, Ahmedabad