To manage diabetes better, it is important to be aware of certain details about your health such as your blood sugar or glucose levels. By understanding your health, you will be able to manage your diabetes more effectively. 

When your blood sugar level is steady and normal, then you will have fewer chances of developing problems such as kidney disease and vision loss. While medications can help in keeping your blood sugar balanced, it is vital to check your diet as well as your activities to make sure that you can better manage diabetes. 

Diet and Exercise to Manage Diabetes Better

An essential element in ensuring that your glucose stays within the normal range is to plan your meals. For example, if you ate a lot of food in one meal, your blood sugar level could easily skyrocket. Doing the exact opposite can also be harmful. If you’re not eating sufficiently, then the glucose level can drop and it will negatively affect you.

Your blood sugar level can be managed better if you schedule and plan your meals. To do this effectively, it would be best to talk to your doctor so that a meal plan can be created. When you have your personalized meal plans, then remember that you should follow it. 

Apart from a proper diet, you should also make exercise a part of your daily routine. Keeping an active lifestyle will keep your blood sugar steady. However, before getting into a workout routine, do consult with your doctor first. 

Once you are given the go signal by your physician, then you can start trying out various exercises that will get your heart pumping. For example, you can try biking or brisk walking. Set your goal to 30 minutes every day. But you can always start at just 5 or 10 minutes in the beginning. You can then work your way into getting more time into your workout. 

Medications to Manage Diabetes

Diabetes has two types: Type 1 and Type 2. The treatment for Type 1 is insulin injections. People with this condition also need to be mindful of their diet. Activities should be planned so that there won’t be any complications when it comes to diabetes treatment. For Type 2 diabetes, the condition can be managed by shifting to a healthier lifestyle and taking oral medications. 

There are many available medications for treating diabetes. Because of this, it can be a challenge to know which ones are the best for your condition. 

Type 1 Diabetes Treatments

For Type 1 Diabetes, the treatment always includes insulin. This treatment keeps the blood sugar level stable and within the normal range. Individuals with Type 1 diabetes may inject insulin themselves. 

There is also a powder form of insulin that you may inhale. So far, more people prefer using insulin pumps. These pumps are compact devices that send insulin into the body through tubes that have been inserted into your skin. 

Different insulin injections also have varying speed as to how quick their effects take place and how long the effects last. The purpose of taking insulin is to copy how the body produces insulin so that you can have sufficient energy throughout the day. Here are the different kinds of insulin. 

• Rapid-acting insulin injections – this type can take effect as quickly as 5 minutes. However, it can only last for about 4 hours. Some examples are insulin glulisine, insulin aspart, and insulin lispro. 
• Short-acting insulin injections – the effect takes place in about 30 minutes and can last up to 8 hours. Examples of regular insulin are Novolin R and Humulin R. 
• Intermediate-acting insulin injections – an hour is needed for the effects to be felt. It can last for as long as 18 hours. The injection is called insulin isophane or NPH insulin. 
• Long-acting insulin injections – the effects of this type of injection take place in about an hour and can last for 24 hours. Examples of this injection type are insulin degludec, insulin detemir, and insulin glargine. 

Type 2 Diabetes Treatments

Insulin can help in managing the glucose level of people with Type 2 diabetes. However, physicians only prescribe insulin only if other treatments were not able to produce the expected results. Pregnant women with Type 2 diabetes can also use insulin so that there will be a reduction of the effects on the fetus. 

People who have high blood sugar levels can take non-insulin medications to manage diabetes. Here are some of those medications. 

• Sulfonylureas – this medication can help in improving the production of insulin. Examples include glyburide, glipizide, and glimepiride. 
• Meglitinides – this medication can also aid in enhancing the secretion of insulin especially during meals. Examples are repaglinide and nateglinide. 
• Biguanides – helps in boosting the effects of insulin. It also reduces the glucose being released by the liver into the body. The only licensed medication of this type is Metformin.
• Bromocriptine – this medication is the only ergot alkaloid that has been approved by the FDA as an alternative treatment for Type 2 diabetes. 

There are various other medications available for treating Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Do ask your doctor about the treatment options that are best suitable for your condition. If you have other health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, it is important that your doctor knows about it. 

The meds for treating different conditions along with diabetes vary. Your physician will most likely prescribe a combination of medicines to address all health issues present.  

With Carolina Pharmacy, you can ask our highly-trained staff about the medications you need for diabetes and other health conditions. We will be glad to assist you in getting the meds that will help you manage diabetes better.