If you’re one of the millions of Americans with type 2 diabetes, you may know that managing this condition means both controlling blood sugar levels and reducing the risk of related complications, such as heart, kidney, nerve and vision problems.
“Diabetes management can be challenging, but it shouldn’t be scary,” says Atlantic Health endocrinologist Maurice Mosseri, MD. “You can achieve the best results when it’s a collaborative effort between you and your health care providers. Even when diabetes is well-managed, regular visits with your physician are important so that any potential issues can be detected and treated early.”
Eating healthy foods, getting plenty of exercise and monitoring/controlling blood sugar are essential to diabetes management. But the following seven insights from Dr. Mosseri can also make a difference in understanding this condition and achieving your best health.
- Same foods, different impact.
Diabetes is not the same for everyone, in part due to differences in metabolism. For example, two people can eat the same type of bagel and process it differently. Likewise, a cup of coffee from two different coffee shops can impact your blood sugar differently. Monitoring your blood sugar is key to understanding these nuances.
- Wearable monitors provide the best data.
Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) is an ideal way to get in tune with your body’s metabolism and monitor blood sugar. As an alternative to checking blood sugar periodically through finger sticks, this wearable technology ranges in size from a penny to a quarter and provides continuous, synchronized data to a mobile device. If you’re not using one already, talk to your doctor about potential options.
- Hydration is key.
Drinking plenty of water has many benefits, including helping the kidneys remove extra glucose from the body. Dehydration results in more concentrated blood sugar and is also linked to diabetic ketoacidosis, a severe complication of diabetes.
- Medications can bridge the gap.
Many people who are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes need medication to reduce the risk of complications, and some need insulin to control blood sugar. For a significant number of people, once the body is back in balance, a commitment to exercising and eating healthy can do much of the heavy lifting – and it’s possible to eventually scale back on medications or even no longer need them. In fact, that’s the goal.
- Newer treatments can be game changers.
Some of the latest diabetes medications have multiple benefits. GLP-1 agonist medications enhance the body’s metabolism which, in turn, impacts insulin requirements; they may also promote weight loss while helping to protect the kidneys and the heart. SGLT-2 inhibitors, which help the kidneys remove extra sugar from the blood, have similar benefits. And insulin pumps, paired with wearable monitors, can almost replace the role of the pancreas in managing blood sugar.
- Know your body.
When people are healthy, they tend to “zoom out” and be less aware of little differences in how they feel from day to day. But being extra vigilant is important for those with type 2 diabetes – including noting when you feel exhausted, when your pants seem to fit differently or if you think you might be getting sick – so you can work with your doctor to proactively identify any necessary treatment or lifestyle adjustments.
- Be open to trying new treatment options.
Because diabetes is different for everyone, some medications aimed at preventing complications work better than others – and sometimes it takes several tries to find one that works. When you’re open to exploring different options, your doctor can usually find the right fit.
“The treatment advances we have today are quite incredible,” says Dr. Mosseri. “When these tools are paired with observation, motivation and collaboration, people with type 2 diabetes can achieve results that are life changing.”
DIABETES PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT AT CENTRASTATE
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