You can stay healthy with type 2 diabetes. Many people can keep diabetes under control by following a healthy diet and getting enough exercise.
Healthy eating habits
You can eat a variety of foods, but some foods must be eaten in moderation. Eat breakfast, lunch and dinner on time every day. Do not miss any meal. You can eat a variety of fruits, vegetables and some starchy foods (such as red rice, red flour bread and potatoes). However, sugar, salt and fatty foods should be eaten as little as possible.
Read our Diabetic Diet article to know more about the ideal diet for diabetics .
Regular exercise
Regular physical activity will help lower blood sugar levels. Try to get at least two and a half hours of exercise each week. This exercise can range from brisk walking to heavy lifting. Even if you do only 30 minutes of exercise any five days of the week, it will be two and a half hours of physical work in a week.
To learn more about exercise in diabetics, read the article on Exercise and Weight in Diabetics .
Medicines are required for those whose diabetes cannot be controlled in this way. This article will discuss type 2 diabetes medications.
Type 2 diabetes medications
Medications to control diabetes help keep blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible. In this way it is possible to prevent various health problems. But it's also important to make dietary changes and exercise to keep blood sugar under control.
Depending on how well your blood sugar is under control, medications, and even medication dosages, may need to be changed.
Choosing the right diabetes medication for you
Diabetes medications help lower your blood sugar levels. There are different types of medications for type 2 diabetes. Several medications may be tried to find which one works best to properly control your blood sugar levels. Thus it may take some time to find the right medicine and dosage.
Usually, first a patient is given a drug called metformin. Another medicine may need to be added if your blood sugar does not come down after taking metformin. Over time, your need for multiple drug combinations may increase.
Each person needs a different type of medication to control their diabetes, and the dosage of the medication also varies. The doctor will prescribe the most suitable medicine for you based on the stage of your diabetes.
Insulin is required if diabetes is not controlled even after a combination of multiple medications. Insulin is not usually used to treat type 2 diabetes early on.
Rules for taking diabetes medicines
There are certain rules for taking and storing medicines. Be sure to discuss those rules with your doctor.
To use insulin, learn the procedure of injection or needle from the doctor or experienced hospital nurse. If you have any questions about this, you can also ask.
Side effects of diabetes medications
Diabetes medications can have some side effects. These include:
- Flatulence and diarrhea
- Weight loss or gain
- Nausea
- Swelling due to water in one or more parts of the body
Not everyone will experience these side effects.
Contact your doctor if you feel unwell or experience any side effects after taking the medicine.
Emergency advice
Do not stop taking the medicine without consulting a doctor.
Travel while taking diabetes medication
When traveling somewhere:
- You have to calculate the amount of medicine for the duration of your trip, and if possible, take some extra medicine with you. By doing this, the medicines will be useful in case of delay in return or special needs.
- Keep the medicines in a small bag close at hand. Large bags can cause problems such as time-consuming finding, spoilage or loss of medicines.
- If you use insulin and need to travel by plane, you may need to show your insulin prescription during the trip. So carry your prescription with you when traveling by plane with injections.
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