Effective diabetes management focuses on maintaining target blood sugar levels through a combination of healthy eating, regular activity, and often medication (tablets and/or insulin injection)

Key strategies include carbohydrate counting, maintaining a healthy weight, regular health check-ups, and managing risk factors like blood pressure and cholesterol.

Core components of diabetes management

Healthy Eating

Focus on a balanced diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Use the “plate method” (half non-starchy veggies, one-quarter lean protein, one-quarter healthy carbs) to manage blood sugar.

Physical Activity

Aim for at least 2.5 hours of moderate-intensity exercise, such as brisk walking, per week. (For example, 30 minutes, 5 days a week).

Monitoring blood sugar

Regularly check blood glucose levels to prevent, detect, and treat high (hyperglycaemia) or low (hypoglycaemia/hypos) levels.

Medication

Type 1: Requires lifelong insulin therapy.

Type 2: Often managed with tablets like metformin, other non-insulin injections (e.g., GLP-1 agonists), or insulin.

Weight management

For those with type 2 diabetes and obesity, significant weight loss can improve blood sugar control and, in some cases, put the condition into remission.

Monitoring to identify and manage any issues early

Annual eye checks, foot checks, and blood tests (HbA1c) are critical for preventing complications.

Lifestyle adjustments

Stop smoking and limit alcohol intake to reduce the risk of long-term cardiovascular issues.

Key targets for control

• HbA1c: For many, the goal is below 48 mmol/mol (or higher depending on the duration of diabetes).
• Blood pressure: Ideally 140/80 mmHg or lower (130/80 mmHg if complications exist).
• Cholesterol: Target for non-HDL cholesterol is 4 or below.

 

Useful resources

NHS: Treatment for Type 2 diabetes