TREATMENT AND PREVENTION OF TYPE 2 DIABETES

Many people get disappointed when they are diagnosed with diabetes. However, the good news is that there are plenty of options to manage diabetes. In fact, a combination of a healthy diet, regular exercise, and proper medications can all work together to bring your blood sugar under control. ¹

Being in touch with your doctor is very crucial because he/she not only helps choose the right medicine for your condition but also guides you on how often you should be taking it. The doctor might also need to manage the doses of medicines from time to time with changes in your body type and age. Sometimes, the doctor may have to switch medicines if the existing ones stop working for you.

TREATMENT OF TYPE 2 DIABETES

Follow these tips to manage as well as prevent type 2 diabetes:

• Consume foods that are rich in fiber and healthy carbohydrates in your diet. When you include foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in the diet that will help keep your blood glucose levels steady.
• Always eat food at regular intervals.
• Be aware of your appetite. Avoid overeating or eating food until you are completely full.
• Make efforts toward losing your weight. Reduce the intake of refined carbohydrates (pasta, pastries, pizza, muffins, cookies, donuts, etc.), sweets, and saturated fats (butter, processed meats, and red meats).
• Perform half an hour of aerobic activities, such as cycling, swimming, jogging, hiking, or brisk walking daily to help keep your heart healthy. In fact, such aerobic exercises also help control blood glucose.

Role of common antidiabetic drugs in the treatment of type 2 diabetes:

When a combination of diet and exercise fails to keep the blood sugar in a healthy range, doctors may prefer starting oral medications for individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Some of the common oral medications effective in the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes are:

• Metformin: It is not only known to lower your blood sugar levels but also improve how your body responds to insulin.
• Sulfonylureas: These help the body make more insulin.
• Meglitinides or glinides: These medications have a rapid action in a short duration of time; they stimulate the pancreas to release more insulin.
• Thiazolidinediones: These medications control the blood sugar levels by reducing the resistance to insulin.
• Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors: These are milder medications that help reduce blood sugar levels.
• SGLT 2 Inhibitors: Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, also called gliflozin drugs, work by reducing the absorption of glucose via the kidneys so that excess glucose is excreted through urination.
• Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists or GLP-1 analogues: This class of drugs helps in slowing stomach movement and improving blood sugar levels.

However, each of these medications can have potential side effects. Therefore, your doctor may take some time to choose the best medication or combination of medications to treat your diabetes.

Additionally, if your blood pressure or cholesterol level is high, you may need medications to take care of those issues as well.

PREVENTION OF TYPE 2 DIABETES

Can you reduce your risk of getting diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes? The good news is that it can be delayed or even prevented. The longer you have diabetes, the more likely you are to develop health problems, so delaying diabetes by even a few years will benefit your health. You can help prevent or delay type 2 diabetes by losing a modest amount of weight by following a reduced-calorie eating plan and being physically active most days of the week. Your doctor may give you a drug to help prevent or delay type 2 diabetes.

Last but not the least, if your body is unable to make enough insulin, you may need an insulin therapy. Depending upon the severity of symptoms, you may either need a long-acting injection once a day or you may need to take insulin shots several times a day.