Type 2 Diabetes Treatment
What is Diabetes?
Diabetes is an umbrella term for certain medical conditions which cause your blood sugar levels to become too high.
Typically, the symptoms of diabetes include feeling very thirsty; urinating more than usual; feeling more tired than you would expect; and losing weight without trying to.
There are three main types of diabetes. These are referred to as Type 1; Type 2; and Gestational diabetes. The latter happens during a pregnancy.
Let’s take a closer look at Type 2 Diabetes and the treatments for this condition.
Type 2
Type 2 diabetes mostly centres around a hormone called insulin. In people with Type 2 diabetes, they either don’t produce enough insulin, or it doesn’t work well enough in their body.
As a result, the glucose levels in their blood can become too high. Glucose is a type of sugar. Insulin is supposed to convert glucose into energy, but when insulin isn’t doing its job properly, this doesn’t happen.
Who’s at Risk?
Both adults and children can get Type 2 diabetes. It can run in families, so there’s a higher chance of having this condition if your parents have it.
It’s also more common in people over the age of 25 and of a South Asian, Chinese, Black African or Black Caribbean ethnic background, as well as in people who are overweight.
Living with Diabetes
There are various symptoms associated with Type 2 diabetes. Aside from feeling tired and thirsty, some people can also experience blurred vision. They may also notice that cuts take longer to heal.
Type 2 diabetes is diagnosed with a blood test.
Whether you’ve been recently diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, or you care for someone who has the condition, you may be wondering how you can help yourself or support your loved one. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to boost your physical and mental health, alongside clinical treatments for Type 2 Diabetes.
Lifestyle Changes
Some people are diagnosed with a condition called prediabetes, whereby they’re deemed at high risk of developing diabetes in the future. With prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes, lifestyle changes can sometimes be enough to reverse the blood glucose levels and stop the diabetes in its tracks.
The biggest change is to eat healthily. A diet rich in fruit, vegetables, oats, pulses and wholegrain foods can significantly improve your chances of reversing diabetes. If this feels like a struggle, just make one or two small changes at a time, for example, switching to wholemeal bread.
Additionally, doing at least 150 minutes of exercise that leaves you breathless each week can really help. This can include walking, running, or sports. This can significantly help your mental health, too, and help you manage any anxiety around the condition.
It’s also well worth limiting your alcohol intake, since alcohol can wreak havoc on your blood glucose levels.
Stopping Smoking
Quitting smoking benefits not only your diabetes management, but every area of your health as well. Not only does smoking worsen symptoms of diabetes, it can also cause significant harm to your lungs and heart.
Type 2 Diabetes Treatment
Metformin
If lifestyle changes don’t seem to be enough on their own, or your doctor has advised medication, don’t worry. There is a range of effective, safe medication options for Type 2 diabetes.
Firstly, let’s take a look at Metformin. This is a common medicine used to help people with type 2 diabetes manage their blood sugar levels. It works by reducing the amount of glucose produced by the liver and helping the body use insulin more effectively.
SGLT2 Inhibitors
Metformin is often prescribed alongside another medicine, referred to as an SGLT2 inhibitor. The two work hand in hand to manage diabetes.
This type 2 diabetes treatment works by allowing some of the body’s excess sugar to leave the body when you pass urine. As a result, your overall blood sugar levels improve.
Some people get mild side effects from Metformin, such as nausea or loss of appetite. If this doesn’t settle within a few weeks, it’s possible to take SGLT2 alone.
GLP‑1
Some Type 2 diabetes patients may also have a history of heart disease. If this is the case, a type of medication called a GLP1-agonist is usually offered, and this takes the form of an injection, administered once weekly. GLP1-agonists work by mimicking a natural hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which is released after eating. They help the body produce more insulin when blood sugar levels are high, and reduce the amount of glucose released by the liver, reducing blood sugar levels.
Insulin
If none of the above treatments are managing the type 2 diabetes sufficiently, patients may need to take another type 2 diabetes treatment in the form of insulin. While this is usually given to manage Type 1 diabetes, it can sometimes be necessary with Type 2.
Insulin can be given either by an injection, or through a pump. It works efficiently to keep the body’s blood glucose levels within the correct range.
Hope for the Future
It’s natural to feel overwhelmed when you’re diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. However, it’s worth remembering that many people are able to manage, or even reverse, their Type 2 diabetes by making relatively simple lifestyle changes such as a healthier diet, more exercise, or quitting smoking.
Medications for diabetes are generally highly effective and safe. You’ll be offered regular checkups to see if the treatment is working – usually every 6 months.
