Can Diabetes Be Controlled

Diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects how your body converts food into energy.

Your body's cells need energy for normal functioning. Most of the food you eat is broken down to glucose. Glucose is converted to energy by insulin and released into your bloodstream. 

Insulin is secreted by the pancreas. If your pancreas does not make sufficient insulin or if your body cannot make use of the insulin, too much blood glucose or sugar remains in your bloodstream. Due to this accumulation of blood glucose in your bloodstream, various health problems such as heart disease, kidney disease, and vision problems may develop. Continue to read ore to understand can diabetes be controlled.

The common types of diabetes are: 

1) Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction in your body that stops insulin production. It is usually diagnosed in young adults, teens, and children. People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin every day to survive. 

2) Type 2 Diabetes

With type 2 diabetes, your body cannot utilize insulin well and cannot keep the blood sugar levels in check. Type 2 diabetes develops over many years. It does not have any noticeable early symptoms. It is essential to get your blood sugar tested if you are at risk. Type 2 diabetes can be delayed or prevented with simple and healthy lifestyle changes such as losing weight, choosing healthy food, and staying active. Read more to know about diet for diabetes.

3) Gestational Diabetes 

Gestational Diabetes is seen in pregnant women. It may develop even in women who have never had diabetes before. If you have gestational diabetes, your baby is at risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. Gestational diabetes can be treated with diet and exercise that needs to be followed as per your doctor's advice. 

Can diabetes be reduced by natural therapy?

Not really. For the ones who are unaware, natural therapy is the form of a practice that encourages the individual to connect with nature and inner self for healing. The practice includes the use of elements and techniques of deep breathing, muscle relaxation, biofeedback, and guided imagery, which have proven to reduce stress levels in an individual. We all know that high-stress levels put an individual at risk of type 2 diabetes. These techniques definitely play a role in managing diabetes as they calm down an individual and promote better mental health.

While some supplements help in regulating blood sugar levels and promote general well-being, however, these alone cannot cure diabetes. It’s best to seek advice from your doctor before you start any supplements because your diabetic medicines can react with natural supplements. Read more about treat gestational diabetes.

Ways to control Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes may be brought on by a variety of factors, including genetics and some viruses. While type 1 diabetes typically first manifests in childhood or adolescence, it can also strike adults.

There is still no cure for type 1 diabetes, despite much research. The goal of treatment is to prevent problems by controlling blood sugar levels with the use of insulin, food, and lifestyle changes.

Read more about how to prevent diabetes.

1) Insulin treatments

One element of a type 1 diabetes treatment strategy is the use of insulin. The purpose of insulin therapy is to achieve normal or near-normal blood sugar levels by supplementing the body’s natural insulin. Type 1 diabetic patients have to rely on insulin injections everyday to survive.

There are different types of insulin based on how fast they act to bring your blood sugar levels under control and how long insulin is active.

• Short-acting insulin: This type of insulin is commonly also called regular insulin, it beings to act on the blood sugar levels within 30 minutes after injection. It lasts between 4 and 6 hours and reaches its full effect around 90 to 120 minutes. Examples include Afrezza, Novolin R, and Humulin R.

• Intermediate-acting insulin: This form of insulin, begins to show it’s effect on the blood sugar levels within one to three hours. It lasts 12 to 24 hours and has its full effect around 6 to 8 hours. Example is NPH (Novolin N, Humulin N).

• Rapid-acting insulin: As the name suggests, this insulin has a quick action on the blood sugar level, and it starts regulating it within 15 minutes. It lasts roughly 4 hours and has its peak effect after 60 minutes. This kind is frequently taken 15 to 20 minutes before meals. Glulisine (Apidra), Lispro (Humalog, Admelog, and Lyumjev), and Aspart are among examples (Novolog and FiAsp).

• Long-acting insulin: This kind of insulin may offer protection for up to 14 to 40 hours. Examples include detemir (Levemir), glargine (Lantus, Toujeo Solostar, Basaglar), and Degludec (Tresiba). Also know about yoga for diabetes control

2) Using verapamil

In people with type 1 diabetes, the immune system targets and kills the beta cells, or insulin-producing cells, in the pancreas. Verapamil - a widely used blood pressure drug has been shown to support insulin production by maintaining beta cell function when combined with a regular insulin regimen.

This medication appears to increase the pancreas' ability to produce insulin in type 1 diabetics, decreasing the need for frequent insulin injections. Verapamil hydrochloride, which is found in products like Verelan and Calan SR, was recently approved by the FDA as a diabetes medication. Also read about sugar level in urine

Ways to control Type 2 diabetes

1) Medications

Managing type 2 diabetes is relatively easier than type 1 disease because it is mostly induced by unhealthy lifestyle choices, genes, and stress. With regular medication, healthy meals, weight loss, and physical activity, it can effectively manage the condition.

Medication: Although making lifestyle changes can lessen the effects of type 2 diabetes, the majority of affected individuals will also require medication to lower blood sugar levels and increase the body's production and sensitivity to insulin.

Some of the common classes of drugs to treat type 2 diabetes are as follows:

• Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists: If blood sugar levels are high, these cause the body to produce insulin and prevent the pancreas from producing glucagon. Among other medications, dulaglutide is a popular GLP-1 agonist for diabetics.

• Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors: These stop the breakdown of starch, which helps to reduce sugar. They should be consumed with the first bite of food. For diabetics, acarbose and miglitol are typical alpha-glucosidase inhibitors.

• DPP-4 inhibitors: These aid in maintaining long-term glucose control without producing hypoglycemia. They enable the GLP-1 substance to stay in the bloodstream for longer, lowering blood glucose levels. Current DPP-4 inhibitors include alogliptin, linagliptin, saxagliptin, and sitagliptin.

• Biguanides: This drug category includes metformin, a common diabetes medication. Biguanides instruct the liver to produce less glucose and increase insulin sensitivity in the muscles.

• Meglitinides: These stimulate the beta cells in the pancreas to release insulin. Nateglinide and repaglinide are meglitinides that are currently available.

• SGLT2 inhibitors: These block the actions of the protein SGLT2 that reabsorbs glucose into the kidneys. This, in turn, stimulates the body to release glucose in the urine, reducing levels in the blood. This new class of medication includes canagliflozin, dapagliflozin, and empagliflozin. Read more about medications for diabetes.

Also read about are dates good for diabetes

Lifestyle changes to control type 2 diabetes

Focusing on lifestyle changes and switching to healthy eating habits remains the primary goal for type 2 diabetic patients.

1. Balanced diet: Diabetic patients have to be particular about the kind of food items they consume to avoid spiking their blood sugar levels. Processed junk food, sweets, and bakery products should be avoided completely as they are loaded with carbohydrates and fats and contain high calories. Diabetic people should follow a diet plan that has the right balance of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, proteins, and low-fat dairy products.

2. Daily exercise: Diabetic patients must work out daily. It’s the first step towards managing diabetes. When a diabetic patient exercises, the body uses the excess glucose in the blood to generate energy, thus reducing blood glucose levels. It’s recommended that people with type 2 diabetes include at least 30 minutes of exercise in their daily routine. It could be in the form of walking, jogging, dancing, biking, skipping, swimming, or playing a sport. Know about how to reduce blood sugar level.

How to Reverse Diabetes Permanently?

Diabetes is among the most common disorders in the world today. Despite various researches done and precautions taken, one cannot predict who will suffer from diabetes. Depending on the type and severity, Here are a few natural remedies that can be helpful in reducing the sugar levels in a diabetic persons.

1) Managing your Diet

By eating well, you will be able to prevent or delay health complications in the future. Managing your diet is vital to keep your blood sugar levels in control. 

Consult a dietician or a nutritionist to create a healthy meal plan and follow the meal plan diligently. A good meal plan must be devised, considering your goals, lifestyle, taste, and medicines you are taking. 

• Include non-starchy vegetables such as spinach, green beans, cauliflower, and broccoli.
• Limit consumption of refined grains and added sugars such as rice, white bread, and pasta. 
• Eat whole foods instead of processed foods. 

2) Exercise Regularly

Exercising regularly can help with managing your weight and blood sugar levels. Exercise also helps in reducing your risk of cardiovascular diseases and promotes overall health. 

Walking is a great way to begin your exercise regimen. You can go for a 30-minute brisk walk five days a week. You may also take Yoga and swimming classes.

Diabetes is among the most common disorders in the world today. Despite various researches done and precautions taken, one cannot predict who will suffer from diabetes. Depending on the type and severity, Here are a few natural remedies that can be helpful in reducing the sugar levels in a diabetic persons. Know more about high blood sugar symptoms.

3) Managing your Medication

If you have type 1 diabetes, you must take insulin since your body does not produce insulin, and it needs insulin for functioning. 

• You can take insulin shots using a needle and a syringe.
• You may use insulin pens to administer insulin to yourself. 
• You could also opt for an insulin pump that supplies steady insulin doses to your bloodstream throughout the day. 

If you have type 2 diabetes, you could control blood glucose levels by choosing an active lifestyle, making healthy food choices, and you would also need medication to manage your diabetes.

Most people begin their treatment with Metformin. Metformin reduces the amount of glucose your liver makes and helps your body utilise insulin better. Your doctor may prescribe other diabetes medications after a while or suggest a combination treatment to manage your diabetes. Also know about ayurvedic medicine for diabetes.

4) Avoiding Stress

Feeling stressed can lead to increased blood sugar levels in your body. It is essential to avoid all sorts of stress in your life. You could try relaxation techniques such as Yoga and meditation to reduce mental, physical, emotional, family, and work stress. Therapy can also help prevent and reduce stress.

5) Monitor your Blood Sugar

Regular blood sugar monitoring helps you with the management of  type1 or type 2 diabetes. You can use a blood sugar meter, which is a device that monitors sugar levels in your blood. 

Blood sugar testing provides you with important information such as : 

• The effectiveness of your diabetes medicine.
• Your progress in reaching your treatment goals. 
• The effect of your diet and exercise on your blood sugar levels. Also know about glucose fasting normal range.

Ways to reverse diabetes

Unfortunately, type 1 diabetes cannot be reversed since it is an autoimmune disease. But if you have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, or have been told that you are at a risk, then the below tips can help you manage your health better.

- Immediately stop eating refined carbohydrates that are commonly found in white rice, white bread, and pasta, because these can elevate your blood sugar levels quickly.

- Include whole grains like brown rice, oatmeal, red rice, barley, and millet in your diet. These when consumed are broken down slowly and release glucose into the blood gradually.

- You will need to take action to eliminate all sugars if your body is already in a condition where it cannot handle carbohydrates and sugars properly, at least in the short term. This includes even sugary juices, fizzy drinks, shakes, mocktails, and cocktails.  

- Include quality fats in your diet through dry fruits, avocado, olives, seeds etc... Also know about the list of dry fruits for diabetics to eat.

- Do not skip meals, and break down the three big meals into smaller frequent meals to regulate the blood sugar levels.

- Exercise every day and adapt to a more physically active lifestyle.

- Take your oral medicine and/or insulin injections as per the schedule without missing them. Also know about what is a dangerous level of blood sugar.

Examples of Diet Plan for Diabetes Management

People who are diagnosed with diabetes should eat at regular intervals, and break down their three big meals into smaller, more frequent meals. Diabetic people should never skip meals as it alters the balance between food intake and insulin production, which can cause the blood sugar level to drop, a condition called hypoglycemia to dangerous levels.

Below is a generalized food chart for diabetes, it’s best to seek your doctor's advice before following this.

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

Also know about sugar in urine test.

Bottomline

Many factors such as family history, weight, age, inactivity, and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome contribute to the development of the disease. 

While type 1 diabetes is out of your control, you can delay or prevent type 2 diabetes by making healthy and active lifestyle choices. Choose healthy food, and lead a stress-free life to delay or prevent type 2 diabetes. Type1 diabetics must take insulin every day since their bodies cannot produce insulin. 

People with type 2 diabetes can control their blood sugar levels by taking medications such as metformin tablets, a healthy diet, and regular exercise. A healthy diet must include whole foods, fresh and green vegetables in your diet. Limit your intake of processed food. To get a regular dose of aerobic exercise, try brisk walking for 30 minutes five days a week, yoga, or swimming and manage your stress. 

Relaxation techniques such as yoga and meditation help remove various kinds of stress from your life. Therapy also helps in reducing stress. Talk about your anxiety regarding diabetes to a therapist or a friend. 

Monitor your blood sugar levels regularly as it gives you information on whether your treatment and medications have been effective in reducing your blood sugar levels or not.

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FAQs

Can diabetes be control?

Yes, diabetes can be controlled. While there is currently no cure for diabetes, it can be managed through a combination of medication, lifestyle changes, and monitoring blood glucose levels.

Is diabetes curable at an early stage?

Early diagnosis of type 2 diabetes can help a person to bring the condition under control for the long term. Unfortunately, people with type 1 diabetes have to bear with fluctuating blood sugar levels if they do not manage to keep the sugar levels under control. Even though it is impossible to permanently cure any type of diabetes, one can easily control type 2 diabetes and bring it to remission at early stages by making some lifestyle changes. Also know how to reverse prediabetes.

Can type 2 diabetes be reduced?

Yes, by adopting good behaviours and changing one's lifestyle, type 2 diabetes can be lowered. Since obesity and a sedentary lifestyle are frequently linked to type 2 diabetes, decreasing weight and upping physical activity can help lower the chance of developing the disease. Changes in lifestyle can assist those who have already received a type 2 diabetes diagnosis in managing their illness and lowering their risk of complications.

How long can type 2 diabetes be reversed? 

Early detection of type 2 diabetes can be reversed by making lifestyle changes like daily exercise and consuming a balanced diet. The duration to reverse type 2 diabetes varies from person to person. Generally, it takes at least six months to slow down the progression of the disease and within a year with a disciplined action plan, you will be able to reverse type 2 diabetes.  

‍Can you survive type 2 diabetes?

Though type 2 diabetes makes you prone to developing certain health conditions, maintaining stable blood sugar levels can help you lead a comparatively smooth life. Regular exercise along with the consumption of a healthy diet can make you survive the disease without developing any severe complications. 

Can diabetes be controlled by exercise?

Exercise improves insulin sensitivity throughout the body and lowers blood glucose levels, which are two ways it manages prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. Also know about prediabetes diet.

Why is there no cure for diabetes?

We refer to remission rather than a cure because it is just temporary. The genetic components underlying the person's predisposition to diabetes are still present, despite the damage to the beta cells. The illness process gradually returns, and the beta cells continue to be destroyed.

Are stem cells a possible control for diabetes?

Although additional research is required to establish their efficacy and safety, stem cells have the potential to be used as a diabetes therapy alternative.The replacement or regeneration of pancreatic beta cells, which are in charge of manufacturing insulin, is one potential application of stem cells in the treatment of diabetes. In those with type 1 diabetes, the immune system kills these cells, which prevents the body from producing insulin. Theoretically, stem cells may produce new beta cells and increase insulin output.