Managing Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is a serious condition, but it can be managed. Follow the guidelines, take charge of your lifestyle, and enjoy a good quality of life.

Type 2 diabetes is a long-term condition that needs regular management. Although receiving a diagnosis can be distressing, it's important to remember you can make changes to your daily choices to help manage the disease. Your diet and lifestyle are the most important tools for keeping it under control, with medication coming next, says Dr Wimpie de Lange, an endocrinologist at Mediclinic Bloemfontein. 

Take your medicine

If you have type 2 diabetes, you will likely be prescribed medication to lower your blood sugar known as oral hypoglycaemic agents, along with advice on maintaing a healthy diet and lifestyle, says Dr De Lange. “If there are no contraindications, you will be on the medication until there is remission of the diabetes or for life.” Your doctor will review the effectiveness of the medication after three months.

Your move: Take the medication as prescribed. “A single missed dose isn’t detrimental, but it’s not advisable,” says Dr De Lange. “Stopping the drug without consulting your doctor will lead to increased glucose levels with an increase in diabetes-related complications.”

Eat healthy food

Diet is fundamental in managing type 2 diabetes. “If a patient can lose 5-10% of their bodyweight, the condition can go into remission,” says Dr De Lange. You may be tempted to cheat now and then, but that’s why it’s so important to do everything else right. “If your glucose is well controlled, you can allow yourself a spoil – after all, we’re humans, not robots. But if glucose is poorly controlled, a single cheat may lead to very high glucose levels causing acute complications, such as diabetic coma.”

Your move: Cut the carbs.

Exercise, a little every day

Exercise has several benefits for people with type 2 diabetes. For starters, it helps with weight loss, which has the potential to send type 2 diabetes into remission. It improves cardiovascular health. It also helps prevent osteoporosis, which is a common complication of diabetes. And it’s good for your mood, too!

Your move: 30 minutes of cardio per day, six days per week if your physical condition allows, as well as resistance training 2-3 times a week. “Resistance training is especially important as you get older,” Dr De Lange adds.

Lose weight if you need to

“In 90% of type 2 diabetes cases obesity is a major driver of the condition,” says Dr De Lange. “Losing weight not only aids with glycaemic control, but also improves overall metabolic health, reduces cardiovascular risk, reduces blood pressure, and improves sleep apnoea. Weight loss also relieves the mechanical burden on joints, leading to improved mobility and exercise capacity.”

Your move: Working with a registered dietitian and a biokineticist or certified personal trainer helps ensure you lose weight safely and sustainably.

You can remember these tips with the acronym TEEL

• Take your medication
• Eat healthily
• Exercise
• Lose weight.

To find an endocrinologist near you, click here.