Living with Diabetes Type 2? There are Alternative Management Options

Nearly 40% of patients diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes jeopardize their health by stopping their medication within the first year, according to health diabetes experts at the University of Virginia (UVA). Because of this, in a paper issued last year, the researchers recommended that doctors treating patients living with diabetes Type 2 consider not only traditional diabetes medicines but emerging alternatives that patients may be more likely to stick with long-term.[1]

In their paper, UVA researchers asserted that prescribing a medication or recommending lifestyle changes that a patient living with diabetes Type 2 is not willing to make or is unable to for some reason will not lead to improvements in their diabetes outcomes. The best treatment is one that is easy to implement and that includes involving patients in decision-making that results in a treatment plan that meets their preferences and lifestyle needs, they advised. Otherwise, nothing will work if it is not followed consistently.

In addition to traditional diabetes-management drugs, the UVA health diabetes team recommended doctors should consider providing appropriate patients with a continuous glucose monitor, which is a sensor taped to the skin that displays change in blood sugar on a smart phone.

Diabetes patients also are embracing drugs known as GLP-2 receptor agonists, such as Ozempic, most likely because of their weight-loss benefits. UAV researchers said that dropping pounds often is better help than controlling blood sugar.

In addition to medicines and weight loss, researcher Daniel Cox, PhD, one of the paper’s authors and part of UVA’s Center for Diabetes Technology, developed what he calls a “less demanding” lifestyle intervention called GEM (Glucose Everyday Matters) that aims to prevent blood-sugar spikes through informed eating choices and well-timed exercise. In one study, two-thirds of participants put their diabetes into remission using the approach.

GEM is not just about giving up sweets and high-carb foods. Rather, it emphasizes understanding the effects of different foods on an individual’s blood sugar level, making smart eating choices, and getting extra physical activity to bring down blood sugar when living with diabetes.  GEM is a lifestyle that promotes general health and vigor, while reducing the risk of other chronic diseases, Cox said.

Make other lifestyle changes

Other lifestyle changes for living with diabetes, in addition to making smart food choices and well-timed exercise include:

Reduce stress

When you are under stress, as you may be living with diabetes, your body releases hormones – adrenaline and cortisol ­– into your bloodstream, increasing your respiratory rate. If your body cannot adequately process these stress hormones, your blood glucose levels may increase.[2] While some levels of stress will always be with you, there are ways to manage and reduce it, including exercise. Here are other tips:

·         Try to remain positive: It is easy to focus on the negative when things challenge or trouble you. But it is important to find good in each area of your life. Focusing on the good can boost your spirits during the troubled times.

·         Talk to your health care providers about your feelings: Once you acknowledge your distress, talk to your doctor, nurse, diabetes educator, and any other health care providers who are part of your care and treatment. They can help solve your concerns and may suggest other health care providers who can help.

·         Talk to friends and family: Your friends and family can be a reliable source of help in relieving stress. Be open with them about your feelings and let them know when you need them to help you.

·         Try meditation: When you meditate you focus your attention and clear your mind of thoughts to give you a sense of calm and peace and achieve balance.

·         Join a support group: Connect with people who have diabetes. Talking with people who understand what you are going through can help lower your stress.

Stop smoking

If you are living with diabetes, you are more likely to suffer from other health issues, including heart and kidney disease; peripheral neuropathy or nerve damage in the arms and legs; retinopathy, which is an eye disease that causes blindness, and poor blood flow to arms and legs, resulting in infections and ulcers. Your chance of getting these problems is even higher if you smoke.  Find ways to quit.

Limit consumption of alcohol

Healthy living with diabetes means limiting your alcohol intake to control your blood sugar levels. Alcohol is full of empty calories, which can lead to obesity – a major risk factor for diabetes. However, the biggest concern about drinking alcohol is hypoglycemia (low blood glucose).

When you drink alcohol, your liver focuses on removing it from your blood (Alcohol is a toxin and another function of the liver is removing toxins from your blood.) rather than regulating blood sugar or blood glucose. This can result in hypoglycemia or low blood sugar. Since glucose is the main source of fuel for your body and brain, you will not be able to function well when you do not have enough.

Get enough sleep

There are estimates that one out of two people living with diabetes Type 2 have sleep problems because of unstable blood sugar levels and diabetes-related symptoms. High blood sugar (hyperglycemia) and low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) during the night can cause insomnia and fatigue the next day. ^[3]

To help with controlling blood sugar for healthy living with diabetes, the following are recommendations from CDC for getting more quality sleep:^[4]

• Wake up and go to bed at around the same time every day.
• Keep your room dark, quiet, relaxing, and cool.
• Remove electronic devices from the bedroom.
• Get some exercise during the day and maintain a healthy diet.
• Avoid large meals and alcohol before bedtime.
• Avoid caffeine in the afternoon or evening.

These recommendations along with regularly scheduled doctor visits can help to avoid serious diabetes complications including heart disease, chronic kidney disease, peripheral neuropathy, and diabetic retinopathy (vision loss).