More than 38 million Americans live with diabetes, a chronic disease that can lead to serious complications if not properly managed. In Connecticut, an estimated 312,000 adults — 10.8% of the state’s population — have been diagnosed with the condition.
In type 2 diabetes, the most common type, the cells resist insulin, the hormone that helps your body use blood sugar for energy. Type 1 diabetes is rarer and occurs when there’s little or no insulin available. If you’ve been diagnosed with either type, you may wonder how to manage it, and whether or not there’s a cure for diabetes.
How Diabetes is Managed
There are many components of diabetes management. Depending on the type of diabetes you have and your overall health, your doctor may recommend steps like making lifestyle changes, monitoring your blood sugar and taking diabetes medications.
Following a Healthy-Eating Plan
Eating a healthy diet is a key part of diabetes management because it helps you manage your blood sugar. Diabetes-friendly eating plans focus on whole foods, like non-starchy vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and minimizing processed foods and foods with added sugars.
When planning meals, the American Diabetes Association recommends using the Diabetes Plate. With this method, you take a 9-inch plate and:
- Fill half your plate with non-starchy vegetables: Broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, green beans and salad greens are a few good choices.
- Fill one-quarter of your plate with lean protein: Chicken, turkey, eggs, salmon, lean beef and tofu are examples of lean protein foods.
- Fill one-quarter of your plate with carbohydrates: Limit foods like brown rice, pasta, bread, potatoes and fruit to one-quarter of your plate.
Getting Regular Physical Activity
Regular exercise helps you manage your blood sugar levels. When you exercise, your muscle cells are better able to use your blood sugar for energy. By helping your body use insulin better, working out can lower your blood sugar for up to 24 hours. Regular exercise can even lower your A1C (average blood sugar level over the last three months).
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends getting 150 minutes of exercise per week, like walking, bicycling or swimming. Be sure to talk to your doctor before starting a workout plan. Exercise can affect how much insulin or other medication you need to keep your blood sugar in a healthy range, and low blood sugar can be dangerous.
Monitoring Your Blood Sugar
Regularly monitoring your blood sugar is crucial because it helps you and your doctor see how well your diabetes care plan is working. Your doctor will recommend a blood sugar target, based on your age and any other health problems you have.
There are various ways to monitor your blood sugar. A common method is the finger stick check, where you prick your fingertip with a small needle and place a blood drop on a test strip. There are also continuous glucose monitors, which are inserted under your skin and automatically measure your blood sugar every few minutes.
Reaching and Maintaining a Healthy Weight
If you’re overweight, your doctor may recommend working toward a healthy weight. Because of the relationship between excess weight and insulin, losing weight can make it easier to control your blood sugar levels. You might also need less medicine for diabetes.
Losing weight can feel like a daunting task, but small changes can have a big impact. Losing just 5% of your weight can have a positive impact on your health. Work with your doctor to determine your goal weight, then with their help and support, focus on making sustainable changes to your diet and exercise routine.
Taking Medications as Prescribed
People with Type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day to control their blood sugar levels. If you have Type 1 diabetes, your doctor may recommend various ways of injecting the medication, such as a needle and syringe, insulin pen or insulin pump.
Some people with Type 2 diabetes also need to take insulin. Others may need to take pills that help lower blood glucose levels. If your doctor has prescribed medications, be sure to take your medications as directed to control your blood sugar.
Is There a Cure for Diabetes?
People with diabetes can enjoy healthy, active lives with effective diabetes management. Unfortunately, there isn’t a cure for diabetes yet. Scientists are working to discover a cure, and there are some promising treatments in development.
Sometimes, people with Type 2 diabetes can go into remission. Being in remission means your blood sugar levels stay below the threshold for diabetes without needing to take medication. This isn’t considered a cure because it might not be permanent. People who go into remission will still need to regularly monitor their blood sugar levels to ensure their condition is stable.
Diabetes Management is Within Reach
Diabetes is a chronic disease that can lead to many complications if it’s left untreated. While there’s not yet a cure for diabetes, it’s possible to keep your blood sugar under control with an individualized diabetes management plan, which might include lifestyle changes and medications.
Looking for an Endocrinologist in Connecticut?
PACT Endocrinology is now welcoming new patients in Milford and Hamden. Our experienced endocrinologists can provide you with personalized care and support to help you manage diabetes, including Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes. Call today to schedule your appointment.
