When we talk about chronic diseases type 2 diabetes is one of them. This condition occurs when your body fails to process blood sugar effectively. This chronic disease is increasing rapidly affecting millions of people all over the globe. But don’t be worried because you can live a happier and healthier life even with type 2 diabetes by following comprehensive and effective Management strategies. In this detailed article we will talk about how to manage this condition in an effective way, what type of diet you should take and what are the treatment options available for you. Stay with us because this article is going to be very important for you if you care about your health.
Understanding Type 2 Diabetes
Whenever our body fails to produce enough insulin which is required to perform its functions smoothly then the condition arises which is known as type 2 diabetes. Remember insulin basically is a hormone whose responsibility is to keep the blood sugar level in a balanced way. Now try to understand its functionality. When the body resists producing insulin then it results in an increase in the sugar level in your bloodstream. Consequently it leads to various other diseases as well.
Symptoms and Risk Factors
For better diagnosis and effective treatment it is really crucial to understand what are the symptoms and risk factors involved in case of type 2 diabetes. Some of the common symptoms are as follows.
- In the case of type 2 diabetes, a person feels thirstier as compared to before. Besides that, repeated urination is also a common symptom in this condition.
- Feeling extremely hungry is another crucial but common symptom in type 2 diabetes.
- In most of the cases patients observe significant weight loss.
- Feeling exhaustion and tiredness is another common symptom.
- Medical studies show that a patient with type 2 diabetes can have a lack of visual sharpness.
- In case of type 2 diabetes, the ability to rapidly heal wounds decreases and the body’s capacity to fight against the diseases also reduces, that’s why a person feels repeated Infections.
There are also risk factors that are involved in type 2 diabetes. One of the major risk factors here in this case is overweight. Besides that, lazy lifestyle, diabetes family history are also highlighting factors that actually give warning of the possible diabetes attack. With the passage of time as you get older the chances of diabetes also increases.
Tips for Managing Type 2 Diabetes
It is critical to manage type 2 diabetes. But remember in order to get effective management you have to be versatile in approach. Here in the following we are going to talk about some of the beneficial tips in this context. Let’s have a look.
Monitor Blood Sugar Level
In the condition of type 2 diabetes it is really very important for you to monitor your level of blood sugar in a consistent way. By monitoring regularly you will be in a position to analyze the different foods that you are eating and different activities that you are performing in your daily routine. With the proper analysis you can manage your glucose level in your bloodstream. For proper diagnosis and analysis just go to your professional Healthcare provider because your physician actually advises you how to monitor and check your blood sugar level and what should be its range.
Healthy Diet:
Healthy diet is not only necessary in type 2 diabetes but it is also critical for your overall health. Try to eat those foods in your daily meal which are full of nutrients. Here in the following we will focus on some particular foods that you should be careful while consuming them.
Control Carbohydrate Intake
First important thing that you have to keep in mind is to control carbohydrate levels in your blood sugar. Consuming high levels of carbohydrate can be very dangerous especially in case of type 2 diabetes. So you should try to focus on consuming complex carbohydrates as compared to simple carbohydrates. For this purpose focus on eating fruits and vegetables and whole grains and avoid sugar filled food items and drinks.
Increase Fiber Intake
It is better to increase those foods in your diet which are rich in fiber. Consuming rich fiber foods help to control your level of blood sugar. Vegetables, fruits, whole grains and legumes are the best examples of fiber intake in this context.
Choose Healthy Fats
If you are a type 2 diabetes patient then choose a healthy diet especially those with fats. Always give preference to healthy fats over saturated and Trans fats. You can get healthy fats from a lot of sources including nuts, olive oil and avocados. On the other hand, fried foods and processed snacks are not good for your health overall especially in case of type 2 diabetes.
Control Eating
If you want to control type 2 diabetes, then consume a smaller portion of food. Avoid overeating because by doing this you can control your blood sugar level to a greater extent.
Stay Hydrated
As we have talked so many times about hydration in our previous articles. It is very important to keep your body hydrated. It is not only necessary in case of type 2 diabetes but also for your overall functionality of the body. Try to make a habit of drinking plenty of water. This will help you to prevent hydration and your blood sugar level.
Stay Physically Active
It is really crucial to remain physically active. Try to involve yourself in regular physical activities because by doing this your body cells use insulin in an effective way. It is very important to make a habit to perform at least 150 minutes of Arabic exercise or activity and 75 minutes of energetic activities each week. You can include exercises like strength training at least two times in a week.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
The people who are overweight are at higher risk of some fatal diseases especially in case of type 2 diabetes. So try to maintain a healthy weight because weight loss can help you significantly in order to improve the blood sugar level. When you do this it means you save yourself from taking medicines. You can reduce your extra weight with the combination of physical activity and a healthy diet.
Take Prescribed Medicines
It becomes very important to take prescribed medicines when you will not be able to manage your blood sugar despite changing your lifestyle. So immediately consult your doctor to get advice about prescribed medicines. There are some common but effective prescribed Medications that you can take in case of type 2 diabetes. Sulfonylureas, metformin and insulin therapy are the best examples of it.
Stress Management
Try to reduce stress from your daily routine life because it can impact your blood sugar level. By implementing some stress reducing activities like deep breathing, yoga or some hobby you can minimize stress to a greater extent.
Get Regular Check Ups
In order to become safe from any further complications it is important to go for a regular medical checkup. Regular monitoring your cholesterol levels and blood pressure really help you to get you informed whether they are performing properly or not.
Diet Recommendations For Type 2 Diabetes
In case of type 2 diabetes it is really important to eat only recommended foods in your daily meals. Here in the following there are some recommended diet options that you can use during this condition.
Carbohydrates
As we said earlier in this article that carbohydrates have a direct impact on the level of blood sugar. So always focus on that food which is full of fiber such as whole grains. The common examples of whole grain items are like oats, brown rice or quinoa. Try to eat more vegetables, especially leafy green, peppers and broccoli. They are starch free and very beneficial in case of blood sugar. The use of Legumes such as lentils, chickpeas and beans and whole fruits not their juices are helpful and useful diet recommended options for managing type 2 diabetes in an effective way.
Protein
The use of protein is also beneficial and the main thing is it does not directly impact your blood sugar level. There are plenty of options to get protein. For example, try to eat lean meat. The best examples of it are Turkey, chicken and lean cuts of beef. Besides that, fish and sea port are also the best food items containing plenty of protein. You can also use those proteins that actually come from plants like Legumes, tofu and tempeh. You can also consume every product having low fats.
Fats
Fats are also very important for your overall performance of the body but now the question is what type of fats you can use. Only healthy fats are important, not bad ones. When you consume healthy fats they help you to manage blood sugar level and are also very beneficial for your heart health. Try to add monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats in your daily meal. Avocado, nuts and olive oil are the best examples of monounsaturated fats. While fatty fish like Salmon and mackerel and flaxseeds are the best examples of polyunsaturated fats. Try to avoid fried foods because they actually contain trans fats which are not good not only in case of type 2 diabetes but also for your overall health.
Fiber
The best function of fiber is to slow down the absorption of sugar which helps you in controlling blood sugar level cause. Medical study shows that at least 25-30 grams of fiber is the best quantity that should be consumed on a daily basis. You can get fiber from many sources like fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, legumes and whole grains.
Meal Planning Tips
Eat Regularly
If you want to keep your blood sugar in check then try to make a habit of eating regularly. Take small quantities but regularly. By doing this you will be in a position to maintain your blood sugar level up to the mark.
Balance Your Plate
Adjust your food in such a way that one half of your plate is filled up with non starchy vegetables, one quarter with whole grains and one quarter with lean protein.
Healthy Breakfast
Healthy breakfast is very important not only in case of type 2 diabetes but also for your complete health performance. So the selection of healthy breakfast is really very important. Try to include fruits and vegetables in your breakfast.
Treatment Options for Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes can be treated in both ways with a combination of medication and changes in lifestyle. Let’s talk about more.
Lifestyle Changes
As we have deeply discussed in the above-mentioned article, a healthy diet and the use of proper exercise are key to success in the journey of type 2 diabetes management. But in some of the cases you can also get maximum results by modifying your lifestyle.
Oral Medications
You can also use oral medicines for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Some of the commonly used important medicines are metformin, sulfonylureas, TZDs, DPP4 inhibitors and SGLT2 inhibitors. All these medicines have different characteristics and are used for treating different symptoms in type 2 diabetes.
Insulin Therapy
Insulin therapy is also used in some of the cases. There are various types of insulin which are available in the market. Just consult with your doctor and get the suitable one according to the requirement. Some common insulin that are used to treat type 2 diabetes are as follows: Rapid acting insulin that starts its functions within just minutes. Short acting insulin actually takes at least 30 minutes to give results. Similarly intermediate acting insulin takes a few hours while long acting insulin has the ability to work and perform its functions throughout the day night. The main purpose of insulin is to keep your sugar level in the blood up to the mark.
Monitoring and Adjusting Treatment Plans
For a better treatment it is really important to monitor your treatment options in the regular way. This is because by doing this you can analyze which type of plan is working properly. In this way your doctor actually gives you comprehensive guidance about the adjustment in your medication. If required, additional therapies can also be recommended in order to keep your blood sugar level in a stable position.
Conclusion
You can manage type 2 diabetes more effectively when you go towards multiple approaches. By modifying changes in your lifestyle, performing physical activities on a regular interval and with the help of a balanced diet you will be in a position to control blood sugar level. Just stick to the above mentioned approaches and also keep in touch with your doctor for proper monitoring and evaluation. It is really crucial to get proper guidance from your doctor before taking any medicine or changes in your treatment plans.