Diabetes is an illness that can be managed and treated, but if not well managed can also cause more serious health effects. Most of the people who have diabetes have type 2 – this is by far the most common type that people have.
There is a lot of research being done to find better treatments for diabetes, such as these paid clinical trials by Trials 4 us. As well as medicines, there are also things that you can do if you have received a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.
Exercise – This is important anyway, but if you have type 2 diabetes it is even more so. You can talk with your doctor about exercise that is best for you, but there is so much that you can do and something to suit everyone. Whether you join up for your local 5 a side football team, learn to swim or take up jogging you are sure to find what you enjoy!
A Healthy Diet – One of the key things when it comes to managing type 2 diabetes is ensuring that your diet is healthy. Cutting out the things that are bad for you is particularly important with this as you need to ensure that you are keeping your blood sugar stable as well as getting all the nutrients that you body needs.
Whole grain foods and plenty of non-starchy vegetables are great, and make sure that you have small regular meals.
Understanding how type 2 differs from type 1
Diabetes of either type means the body struggles to get glucose into the cells, which need it for energy to work properly. In type 1 diabetes the body produces no insulin at all, so people with it have to inject insulin. In type 2 diabetes the body does make insulin, but there is a problem getting glucose into the cells, and the condition can often be helped a great deal through diet.
There is no cure yet, but research is continuing and treatments keep improving. Diet remains one of the most important tools for managing the condition. Many healthy eating plans are available for people with diabetes, and your doctor can advise on the right approach for you.
Regular blood sugar checks are just as important. They help you spot the warning signs of a hypo, when blood sugar falls too low, or a hyper, when it rises too high, so you can act before either becomes serious.