How to treat type 2 diabetes quickly?
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease of insulin resistance. Insulin is
a hormone secreted in the pancreas and controls the uptake of glucose from the
blood to the cells to be used for various metabolic purposes.
In diabetes, either the body secretes less glucose, or the cells
cannot use the secreted insulin properly. Treatment includes diet control,
timely medication, and routine checkups.
Diagnosis and treatment for type 2 diabetes
A type 2 diabetes treatment
has not been discovered, but an early diagnosis and a proper treatment
guideline will help the patients. Treatment
guidelines include:
● A healthy lifestyle.
● A regulated diet.
● Timely medication.
● Regular doctor’s checkups.
Smoking and drinking or any substance abuse should be stopped immediately.
How is type 2 diabetes diagnosed?
Type 2 diabetes is primarily diagnosed using a test for glycated
haemoglobin (HbA1c). The presence of glycated haemoglobin linked with
monosaccharides like glucose, galactose, and fructose occurs when cells are
exposed to an excess amount of glucose.
This test can measure an average blood glucose level for three months.
· A result below 5.7%
mg/dL is normal.
· A test value within
5.7 to 6.4% mg/dL means pre-diabetes (blood glucose is high but not as high as
diabetes).
· A test result of 6.5% mg/dL or higher
indicates diabetes mellitus.
Random blood sugar test
A random blood sugar test is done at any unexpected time to check the
blood sugar levels. Irrespective of the patient’s last meal, a sugar level of
more than 200 mg/dL or 11.1 mmol/L indicates diabetes. This can be correlated
with symptoms like unnatural thirst, excessive urination, blurring of vision
and unregulated weight loss.
Fasting blood sugar test
This test is done after at least eight hours of fasting. The blood
sample is generally taken in the morning after overnight fasting except for
occasional water intake.
· A result of below 100
mg/dL or 5.6 mmol/L is normal.
· A result between 100
and 125 mg/dL or 5.6 and 6.9 mmol/L indicates pre-diabetes.
· A result of 126 mg/dL or 7 mmol or
higher is considered as diabetes.
Oral glucose tolerance test
This test checks the pace at which ingested glucose is cleared from a person’s blood. It helps to identify gestational diabetes in pregnant women. A dose of 50 gm of glucose is given to the patient, and after 1 hr, the blood is collected for testing. Again an amount of 100 gm glucose is given to her after 2 hours, and the blood glucose level is tested.
Interpretation:
· Fasting glucose level
of 95 mg/dl or 5.3 mmol/L is normal.
· A result of 140-199
mg/dL or 7.8-11 mmol/L is pre-diabetes.
· A result of 2 mg/dL or 11.1 mmol or
higher after 2 hours is considered to be diabetes.
How type 2 diabetes treatment is carried out?
After being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, the person should consult
a proper diabetes consultant. He may suggest type 2 diabetes treatment guidelines like lifestyle changes,
medicines, and other factors considering the patient’s age, hereditary, present
medical condition, and previous medical history. The doctor will also screen
for other disorders related to type 2 diabetes-like kidney functions and high
blood pressure, and recommend a dietitian and physical trainer as per your
requirements.
Healthy diet
A properly balanced diet can go a long way in controlling high blood sugar levels and is as good as Type 2 diabetes cure.
1. Switch to a fibre-rich
diet full of starch-free vegetables and fruits, whole grains, healthy beans,
and good carbohydrates.
2. Try consuming small
meals at short intervals.
3. Cut down the fats, oily
foods, and high-calorie and pre-cooked meals.
4. Consume fish and
proteins rich in omega-3 fatty acids like salmon, sardines, etc.
5. Switch to healthier cooking oils like
olive oil, canola oil, avocado oil, etc.
Physical activity
Obese people are more
prone to suffer from diabetes; hence, losing unwanted weight helps control high
blood pressure and sugar levels. Moreover, regular exercise keeps the body fit
and promotes weight loss.
Aerobic exercises like
swimming, running, bike riding, or brisk walking for at least 30 minutes per
day can be helpful.
Resistance exercises
like weightlifting, isometrics, sit-ups, high jumping, planking, squatting,
etc. can help in building up endurance and strength and improve one’s balance
and agility.
A brief walk in between long periods of sitting like that of computer professionals is also helpful.
Monitoring blood glucose levels
The doctor will suggest those suffering from diabetes to do regular
monitoring of their blood glucose level. Monitoring is done periodically with
the help of a glucometer, during meal times to notice fluctuations in blood
glucose levels.
Continuous monitoring is done for aged patients or those suffering
from other disorders. A sensor is placed that records sugar level at
intermittent minutes. Diabetes control is possible with continuous monitoring.
Insulin therapy
Insulin therapy is the most used method of diabetes treatment. In some cases, insulin can act for prolonged
periods to stabilise the blood sugar levels, whereas in others, it can be
administered only during eating and act for a short range of time. The dosage,
type, and time schedule of the insulin therapy are decided by the doctor after
a thorough diagnosis. However, there may be certain side effects like
hypoglycemia (sudden fall in blood sugar level), enhanced levels of blood
triglyceride, or risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (alarming levels of ketone
bodies in the bloodstream).
Diabetes medications
Many medicines are now available for Type 2 diabetes treatment. Some are as follows:
1. Metformin is usually the first type of
medication prescribed to patients. It helps to reduce blood glucose and improve
the body cells’ sensitivity to insulin.
2. Sulfonylureas like glipizide sensitise the
body to increase insulin secretion.
3. Glinides prompt the pancreatic beta cells to
secrete more insulin.
4. Thiazolidinediones increase the tissue’s
response to insulin particles.
5. DPP-4 inhibitors also reduce blood glucose
levels.
6. GLP-1 receptor antagonist injections can
decelerate digestion, lowering the blood sugar level. It also decreases body
weight and the risk of heart failure or stroke.
Endocrine and circulatory systems
One of the side effects of medications and insulin treatment of Type 2 diabetes is a hypoglycemic attack or
the sudden excessive drop of blood sugar levels that lead to fainting and
seizures and fatality when not attended immediately. Low sugar levels can disrupt the central nervous system
causing light-headedness, coordination failure, chills, sweat, and tingling of
the mouth.
An excessive low blood glucose level is also associated with the
release of stress hormones like epinephrine. This epinephrine causes early
symptoms of hypoglycemia like shaking body and hunger pangs.
Conclusion
Type 2 diabetes is a common yet serious chronic disease that has the
ability to cause multi-organ disorders. Although type 2 diabetes cure is difficult, hatching an effective diabetic
management plan in accordance with type
2 diabetes treatment guidelines can keep you healthy throughout your life.
Being alert and maintaining proper hygiene of teeth, feet, and eyes is
required. A strict diet controlling the blood sugar and blood pressure levels
can alleviate the risk of future complications.
