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Healthy eating is your recipe for managing diabetes. More than 37 million Americans have diabetes (about 1 in 10), and approximately 90-95% of them have type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes most often develops in people over age 45, but more and more children, teens, and young adults are also developing it.
Managing diabetes can be challenging, but everything you do to improve your health is worth it! You may be able to manage your diabetes with healthy eating and being active, or your doctor may prescribe insulin, other injectable medications, or oral diabetes medicines to help manage your blood sugar and avoid complications.
Whether you were just diagnosed with diabetes or have had it for some time, meeting with a diabetes educator is a great way to get support and guidance, including how to: Develop a healthy eating and activity plan Test your blood sugar and keep a record of the results Recognize the signs of high or low blood sugar and what to do about it If needed, give yourself insulin by syringe, pen, or pump Monitor your feet, skin, and eyes to catch problems early Buy diabetes supplies and store them properly Manage stress and deal with daily diabetes care Ask your doctor about diabetes self-management education and support services and to recommend a diabetes educator, or search the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists’ (ADCES) nationwide directory for a list of programs in your community.
More than 75% of children with type 2 diabetes have a close relative who has it, too. But it’s not always because family members are related; it can also be because they share certain habits that can increase their risk. Parents can help prevent or delay type 2 diabetes by developing a plan for the whole family: Drinking more water and fewer sugary drinks Eating more fruits and vegetables Making favorite foods healthier Making physical activity more fun Healthy changes become habits more easily when everyone makes them together.
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Tap into online diabetes communities for encouragement, insights, and support. The American Diabetes Association’s Community page and ADCES’s Peer Support Resources are great ways to connect with others who share your experience.
No matter where you are with type 2 diabetes, there are some things you should know. It's the most common form of diabetes. Type 2 means that your body doesn't use insulin properly. And while some people can control their blood glucose (blood sugar) levels with healthy eating and exercise, others may need medication or insulin to manage it.

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Type 2 diabetes is usually diagnosed using the glycated hemoglobin (A1C) test. This blood test indicates your average blood sugar level for the past two to three months. Results are interpreted as follows: Below 5. 7% is normal. 5. 7% to 6. 4% is diagnosed as prediabetes. 6. 5% or higher on two separate tests indicates diabetes.
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Results are interpreted as follows: Less than 140 mg/d, L (7. 8 mmol/L) is normal. 140 to 199 mg/d, L (7. 8 mmol/L and 11. 0 mmol/L) is diagnosed as prediabetes. 200 mg/d, L (11. 1 mmol/L) or higher after two hours suggests diabetes. The American Diabetes Association recommends routine screening with diagnostic tests for type 2 diabetes in all adults age 35 or older and in the following groups: People younger than 35 who are overweight or obese and have one or more risk factors associated with diabetes Women who have had gestational diabetes People who have been diagnosed with prediabetes Children who are overweight or obese and who have a family history of type 2 diabetes or other risk factors If you're diagnosed with diabetes, your doctor or health care provider may do other tests to distinguish between type 1 and type 2 diabetes — since the two conditions often require different treatments.
In the past, insulin therapy was used as a last resort, but today it may be prescribed sooner if blood sugar targets aren't met with lifestyle changes and other medications. Different types of insulin vary on how quickly they begin to work and how long they have an effect. Long-acting insulin, for example, is designed to work overnight or throughout the day to keep blood sugar levels stable.
This surgery may help you lose weight and manage type 2 diabetes and other conditions related to obesity. There are various surgical procedures, but all of them help you lose weight by limiting how much food you can eat. Some procedures also limit the amount of nutrients you can absorb.
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This is because an unacceptable level of a probable carcinogen (cancer-causing agent) was found in some extended-release metformin tablets. As of October 2021, all of the affected medications have been pulled. If you currently take this drug, talk with your doctor. They’ll advise whether you should continue to take your medication or if you need a new prescription.
But with type 2 diabetes, your body’s cells aren’t able to respond to insulin as well as they should. In later stages of the condition, your body may also not produce enough insulin. Uncontrolled type 2 diabetes can lead to chronically high blood glucose levels, which can cause several symptoms and potentially lead to serious complications.

In some cases, lifestyle changes are enough to keep type 2 diabetes under control. If not, there are several medications that may help. Some of these medications include: This can lower your blood glucose levels and improve how your body responds to insulin. It’s the first-line treatment for most people with type 2 diabetes.
These are fast-acting, short-duration medications that stimulate your pancreas to release more insulin. These make your body more sensitive to insulin. These are milder medications that help reduce blood glucose levels. These slow digestion and improve blood glucose levels. These help your kidneys remove sugar in your body through urine.
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It may take some time for you and your doctor to find the best medication or combination of medications to treat your diabetes. If your blood pressure or cholesterol levels are also not ideal, you may need medications to address those needs as well. If your body is unable to make enough insulin, you may need insulin therapy.
Diet is an important tool to help maintain optimal heart health and blood glucose levels that are within a safe range. The diet recommended for people with type 2 diabetes is the same diet just about everyone should follow. It boils down to a few key actions:Choose a variety of foods that are high in nutrients and low in empty calories.
Read food labels closely to understand the amount of sugar or carbs you could be ingesting in a serving size. If you’ve been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, or even if you’re trying to avoid diabetes and manage your weight, there are certain foods and beverages that you should limit if possible.
They may recommend you connect with a dietician who’s well-versed in optimal diets for diabetes. Together, you can come up with a diet plan that tastes great and suits your lifestyle needs. While there are some risk factors for type 2 diabetes that are out of your control (like your age and heritage, as mentioned above), there are certain lifestyle choices that can also put you at a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
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You may need to fast for 8 hours before taking it. During this test, your blood is drawn three times: before, 1 hour after, and 2 hours after you drink a dose of glucose. The test results show how well your body deals with glucose before and after the drink.
These tests may include an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) or a cardiac stress test. It may also be helpful to bring your family into the loop. Educating them about the warning signs of blood glucose levels that are too high or too low will allow them to help in an emergency.
3 times higher than they’d be in the absence of diabetes. Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States, either as the underlying cause of death or as a contributing cause of death. The reports the following statistics:The 2014 global prevalence of diabetes was 8. 5 percent for adults.
Most people who have type 2 diabetes start with an oral medicine (taken by mouth). Oral medicines can make your body produce more insulin. They also help your body use the insulin it makes more efficiently. Some people need to add insulin to their bodies with insulin injections, insulin pens, or insulin pumps.
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Oral medicine doesn’t work for everyone. It isn’t effective in the treatment of type 1 diabetes. Insulin therapy is necessary for all people who have type 1 diabetes and for some people who have type 2 diabetes. If you need insulin, you’ll have to give yourself a shot (either with a syringe or with an insulin pen).
Your doctor will test your blood sugar every 3 months with an A1C test. Your doctor may ask you to test your blood sugar on your own throughout the day if you are taking insulin or they are adjusting your medication. You will need to use a blood glucose monitor to check it on your own.
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Are you concerned that you may have diabetes? If so, you may be searching for answers. How might you have developed the disease? Is there anything you can do about it? And if you don’t yet have diabetes, how can you help prevent it? Before we get into the specifics of diabetes and how to identify the symptoms, causes, and treatment, it’s important to understand that there are two kinds of diabetes: type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes.
One of the biggest differences between type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes is that type 1 diabetes is something you are born with, and type 2 diabetes is something you develop over time. With type 1 diabetes, your body attacks your pancreas, which prevents your body from producing enough insulin.
The most common way to diagnose type 2 diabetes is via an A1C test, which measures blood sugar levels. Normal A1C levels are below 5. 7%. A reading between 5. 7-6. 4 percent is considered pre-diabetic. Getting a score of 6. 5% or higher on two consecutive tests will result in a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.
While there is no specific cause for insulin resistance, it’s believed that obesity, extreme stress, pregnancy, inactivity, and steroid use are the primary causes. The symptoms of type 2 diabetes vary widely from person to person. Some people experience noticeable symptoms, while others can go for years with no symptoms at all.
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There are a lot of risk factors that can increase your chances of getting type 2 diabetes. Some risk factors are things you can’t control. For instance, being 45 years of age or older, having a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes, and being of African-American, Native Alaskan, Native American, Asian-American, Hispanic, Latino, or Pacific Islander American descent are all risk factors for developing the disease.
“There’s no cure for type 2 diabetes, but it can be controlled. Anger, disbelief or fear of lifestyle changes are quite common. Receiving a type 2 diabetes diagnosis could lead to a state of denial in some, who might not seek care or treatment,” Dr. Aluri says. Dr. Aluri also says many misconceptions exist about diabetes management, too.
But, eating excessive calories and sugar can lead to an increase in weight that can result in insulin resistance, which could then result in diabetes. Fact: A diet for someone with diabetes is about healthy eating in moderation. Someone with diabetes can still enjoy bread, pasta and dessert. The difference is about frequency and quantity, as well as factoring in the rest of food intake.
There are various injectable medications as well, not just insulin, which work on hormones tied to insulin secretion and appetite. We work with people with diabetes as a team, including the physician, diabetes educators and nutritionists – all with the patient at the center,” Dr. Aluri says. While type 2 diabetes can’t be cured, prevention is possible.
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Children at higher risk of type 2 diabetes should be screened. Screening may include tests such as: This test measures the amount of glucose in red blood cells. It shows the average blood glucose levels for the last 3 months. The blood is tested after at least 8 hours of not eating.
Other urine and blood tests may be done to see if your child has type 2 diabetes. Treatment will depend on your child’s symptoms, age, and general health. It will also depend on how severe the condition is. The goal of treatment is to keep blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible.

Before your visit, write down questions you want answered. At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis, and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new instructions your provider gives you for your child. Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed and how it will help your child.
Ask if your child’s condition can be treated in other ways. Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean. Know what to expect if your child does not take the medicine or have the test or procedure. If your child has a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.
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This is important if your child becomes ill and you have questions or need advice.