What are the treatments of type 2 diabetes?

What are the treatments of type 2 diabetes?

Several solutions exist for the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes. Initial treatment consists of implementing a healthy diet combined with regular physical activity. If the changes in lifestyle are ineffective, antidiabetic drug therapy and insulin injections may be proposed [1].

Weight loss        

Excess weight and obesity are recognized as primary risk factors for type 2 diabetes. They usually result from poor nutrition and prolonged physical inactivity [1,3]. For this reason, treatment of type 2 diabetes usually begins with making improvements to the patient's lifestyle [1,2,3].

To this end, the health care provider will recommend an adapted diet combined with a program of regular physical activity [1,2,3]. These lifestyle changes are aimed at losing weight and gaining control over the patient's glycaemia [1,2].

Weight loss goals are specific to each person and depend on their age and their state of health [1,2].

Dietary improvements

Dietary improvements

For successful treatment of type 2 diabetes, the patient's diet must be improved as soon as a positive diagnosis has been made, the overall goal being to adapt the food intake to each person’s individual needs, particularly their energy expenditure [1,2,3].

To prevent and treat type 2 diabetes, it is vital to reduce overall carbohydrate (sugar) intake and increase fiber [1,3]. Quantity apart, special attention must also be paid to the quality and sources of the carbohydrates [2]. Fruit and vegetables are recommended, along with whole-grain foods [1,3].

Patients should also reduce intake of animal protein, starch (potatoes, rice, corn...), and fatty foods; and reduce or even completely eliminate industrially-processed products containing simple sugars such as glucose and fructose (sweets, sodas, ready-made meals) [1,3].

A good place to start is with the Mediterranean or vegetarian style diets that are universally regarded as being healthy and are therefore highly recommended in the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes [3].

Sport and physical exercise

Sport and physical exercise

Regular physical activity is an essential factor in the successful treatment of type 2 diabetes and reduces the risk of developing the disease by about 30% [3].

Physical activity can be sport, but there are numerous other forms of exercise. Simply getting up and moving around instead of sitting for long periods of time is beneficial. Movement and exercising every day not only burn calories but also has a positive effect on insulin sensitivity and glycaemia [3].

Antidiabetic medication

If the type 2 diabetes is too severe or if transitioning to a healthy lifestyle is not enough to significantly reduce blood glucose levels, oral diabetes medication may be recommended. Metformin is the recommended first-line medication for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, but there are many alternatives if side effects manifest themselves or it proves ineffective [1].

Insulin

Insulin therapy may be proposed as treatment for type 2 diabetes to reduce the risk of vascular complications and gain better control of blood glucose [1].

Doses of insulin to be injected are calculated to suit each individual. It should help regulate blood glucose levels while preventing hypoglycemia and avoiding weight gain which is one of the consequences of too high a dosage [1].