Type 2 diabetes is among the most common types of chronic disease, and the numbers keep growing. For those in and around Lanham, Maryland, who learn they have diabetes, working with Kadie E. Leach, MD, is a great way to gain control of the disease and avoid serious problems.
For some, it’s possible to manage diabetes without any form of medication. It takes a degree of dedication and hard work, but the results are well worth the effort.
To be clear: Not everyone can effectively manage diabetes without medication.
For example, people with type 1 diabetes have a condition in which their pancreas does not produce insulin, the hormone that allows glucose from the blood to enter and nourish their cells. Insulin is a necessary component for human life, so people with type 1 diabetes will need to take supplemental insulin for the duration of their lives.
Individuals with advanced type 2 diabetes also often need medication to manage their condition.
People who have been newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and those who are considered prediabetic are the best candidates for managing their health without drug therapy. Those with lower blood sugar readings may also be able to avoid medication.
Because people with diabetes cannot easily bring blood glucose (sugar) into their cells, that glucose tends to build up within the bloodstream, causing a wide range of health issues. Every time you consume food or beverages, a portion of that food is converted into blood glucose, which acts as fuel for your body.
Your daily diet choices can significantly impact your blood sugar levels within minutes. Blood sugar levels rise and fall throughout the day for everyone. But for people with diabetes, those spikes and falls are much more difficult to manage.
Choosing a diet low in simple carbohydrates is absolutely essential for managing blood sugar without medication. This means avoiding sugar-laden drinks and foods, such as crackers, cookies, chips, pasta, bread, and many baked goods. It doesn’t mean you can never enjoy these foods, but they should make up a tiny percentage of your diet.
You don’t have to obsessively count calories or track carbs to be successful. Try balancing your meals by filling a small plate with lean proteins and lots of fruit and vegetables. Healthy fats, like those found in avocados, olive oil, and many types of fish, are also helpful.
Some people find it helpful to think of food as a form of medicine. By acknowledging the power that diet has over health, you can begin to become more selective about what you choose for meals and snacks.
Increasing your daily activity levels can have a powerful positive effect on your blood sugar. And best of all, it doesn’t even matter what type of activity you choose. There’s no need to go overboard and try to train to run a marathon; start small and focus on finding activities that also make you feel great.
Some people swear by a long walk at the end of the day. Others prefer to break up their exercise with smaller strolls. Weight training is one of the best things you can do to improve your body’s strength, and stretching enhances flexibility and feels good.
There’s no need to feel intimidated about getting started with exercise. If you don’t feel like joining a gym, there are a multitude of online resources to help you begin your journey at home.
When you partner with a caring and compassionate health specialist like Kadie E. Leach, MD, you never have to feel alone as you navigate diabetes. Dr. Leach is happy to sit down with you and discuss the best ways to manage your condition. Even if you need medication right now, you can always move closer to a goal of controlling your diabetes through lifestyle changes.
When you are ready to explore the possibilities, please contact us online or by phone to schedule a visit to our office in Lanham, Maryland.
