To date, no cure has yet been found to cure the diabetes. The proposed treatment aims to restore normal blood sugar values. The respect of the treatment as well as the medical monitoring is however crucial to avoid acute and chronic complications.

The doctor makes a plan traitement based on blood test results, checkup, and symptoms. Consulting a nurse, nutritionist and, if possible, a kinesiologist helps to better direct efforts and control adequately the disease.

Get the BONUS: medication adequate, a good diet and some modifications to way of life, people with diabetes can lead almost normal lives.

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Type 1 diabetes. The usual medication is always insulin, given with daily injections or continuously using a small pump connected to a catheter placed under the skin.

Type 2 diabetes. There are 3 types of drugs (in tablets) each having their own mode of action: stimulating the production of insulin by the pancreas; help tissues use insulin to absorb glucose; or slow down the intestinal absorption of sugars. These different drugs can be used alone or in combination to improve their effectiveness. Type 2 diabetics sometimes needinsulinothérapie.

Gestational Diabetes. Studies indicate that treatment is effective in preventing certain complications for mother and fetus. Usually changes to the diet and a control of weight are sufficient to keep blood sugar levels within normal range. If needed, insulin or, more rarely, certain hypoglycemic drugs are offered.

Refer to the sheets on the types of diabetes to learn more about medical treatments.

To know how prevent and treat long-term disorders associated with diabetes, see our Diabetes Complications sheet.

When and how to measure your blood sugar?

La glucose is a measure of the concentration of glucose (blood sugar. People with diabetes must monitor their blood sugar closely in order to adjust their medication (depending on diet, exercise, stress, etc.) and to maintain blood sugar levels as close as possible to normal at all times. . Blood sugar control is all the more important as it helps to reduce or prevent complications diabetes.

Normally, people with Type 1 diabetes measure their blood sugar 4 times a day (before each meal and before bedtime), while those suffering from Type 2 diabetes can usually be content with a daily measurement or, in some cases, 3 readings per week (see our new Is Homemade Blood Glucose Tests Helpful for Diabetics Not Treated with Insulin?).

Blood glucose values ​​for adolescents and adults with diabetes

The unit mmol / l represents a unit of molar mass of glucose per liter of blood.

Source: Canadian Diabetes Association 2008 Clinical Practice Guidelines.

In case of hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia

People with diabetes are more prone to extreme variations in their blood sugar. It is therefore important to know how to react if the situation arises.

Hyperglycemia.

An increase in the concentration of glucose in the blood: when, on an empty stomach, the blood sugar level is greater than or equal to 7 mmol / l (130 mg / dl) or that 1 or 2 hours after a meal, it rises to 11 mmol / l (200 mg / dl) or more. The symptoms are those of diabetes: excessive excretion of urine, increased thirst and hunger, fatigue, etc.

Causes

• Eat more sugary foods than is permitted.
• Decrease your physical activities.
• Carry out the wrong dosage of drugs: lack of insulin or hypoglycemic drugs.
• Experiencing stress.
• A serious infection, such as pneumonia or pyelonephritis (infection of the kidney), as this increases the need for insulin.
• Take certain medications (glucocorticoids like cortisone, for example, increase blood sugar).

What to do

• Measure your blood sugar.
• If the blood sugar exceeds 15 mmol / l (270 mg / dl) and if you have type 1 diabetes, measure the level of ketone bodies in the urine (ketonuria test: see above).
• Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
• Trying to find out the cause of the hyperglycemia.

Hypoglycemia.

A decrease in the concentration of glucose in the blood: when the blood sugar drops below 4 mmol / l (70 mg / dl). Shaking, sweating, dizziness, palpitations, fatigue, yawning, and pallor are signs of low blood sugar. Left untreated, hypoglycemia can cause loss of consciousness, accompanied or not by convulsions.

Causes

• Make an error in the dosage of drugs (too much insulin or hypoglycemic agents).
• Skipping a meal or snack, or catching it late.
• Consuming insufficient amounts of sugary foods.
• Increase your physical activities.
• Consume alcohol.

What to do

• Measure your blood sugar.
• Eat a food that provides 15 g of carbohydrates (which are absorbed quickly), such as 125 ml of fruit juice or regular soft drink; 3 tbsp. of sugar dissolved in water; 3 tbsp. of honey or jam; or 1 cup of milk, and wait 20 minutes for the blood sugar to stabilize.
• Measure blood sugar again and take 15 g of carbohydrate again if hypoglycemia persists.
• Trying to find out the cause of the hypoglycemia.

Diabetic lifestyle

Outside of the medication, people with diabetes have a great interest in establishing afood and adopt a good program ofphysical exercises. Indeed, these non-drug interventions can reduce the dosage of the medication and prevent certain complications. Overweight and lack of physical exercise are real health risks for diabetics.

Diet plan

Un tailor-made diet is developed by a nutrition specialist. The proposed dietary changes can better control blood sugar, maintain or move towards a healthy weight, improve the lipid profile in the blood, control blood pressure and reduce the risk of complications.

In the Special Diet: Diabetes sheet, nutritionist Hélène Baribeau gives an overview of a food program designed for people with diabetes. Here are the highlights :

• Check the quantity and type of carbohydrates, and the frequency of their consumption.
• Eat more than dietary fiber, because they slow down the absorption of carbohydrates.
• Prioritize good fats to improve the lipid profile and prevent complications.
• Consume thealcohol moderately.
• Adjust the power supply according to thephysical exercise.

See the Special Diet: Diabetes fact sheet for more details. You will also find an example of menu type.

Physical exercise

It is especially important to practice cardiovascular exercises moderate intensity, according to taste: walking, tennis, cycling, swimming, etc.

Mayo Clinic specialists recommend a daily session of at least 30 minutes, in addition to adding exercises tostretching and musculation with weights and dumbbells.

Benefits of exercising regularly

– Lower rates of blood glucose, in particular by allowing the body to make better use of insulin.

– Lower blood pressure and strengthening of heart muscle, which is a definite advantage given that diabetics are particularly at risk of suffering from cardiovascular diseases.

– Achievement or maintenance of a healthy weight, which is especially important with type 2 diabetes.

– Increased feeling of well-being (self-esteem, etc.) as well as muscle tone and strength.

– Decrease in the dosage of medication antidiabetic, in some people.

Precautions to take

– Diabetes must be mastered before starting any exercise program;

– Talk to her doctor your exercise program (the frequency and size of the doses of insulin or hypoglycemic drugs may change).

– Check blood sugar before and after exercise.

– Start with intensity activities moderate.

– Keep close at hand foodstuffs high in carbohydrates in case hypoglycemia develops.

– Periods of physical activity and insulin injection sessions must be sufficient remote from each other to avoid too much drop in blood sugar.

Mutual aid and social support

The diagnosis of diabetes is a shock to many people. At first, it often causes stress related to many concerns. Will I be able to control my disease and maintain a lifestyle that is right for me? How will I cope with the possible consequences of the disease, both short and long term? If necessary, several resources (relatives, doctor or other health workers, support groups) can offer moral support.

Stress and blood sugar

Good management of daily stress promotes better disease control, for 2 reasons.

Under the effect of stress, one may be tempted to take less care health (stop planning meals, stop exercising, monitor blood sugar less often, consume alcohol, etc.).

Stress acts directly on blood sugar, but its effects vary from person to person. In some people, stress hormones (such as cortisol and adrenaline) increase the release of glucose stored in the liver into the bloodstream, causing blood loss.hyperglycemia. In others, stress slows digestion and instead causes hypoglycemia (it can be compared to a delay in taking a meal or a snack).

Deep breathing exercises and meditation, as well as getting enough sleep can help reduce blood sugar swings caused by stress. It will also be necessary to make the appropriate changes in his life in order to act on the sources of stress. These practices are not a substitute for medication (a type 1 diabetic who stops taking insulin can die from it).