How to Safely Manage Diabetes and Improve Blood Sugar

Nearly 30 million adults and children in the U.S. have diabetes, 95% of whom have Type 2 diabetes. Worldwide, an estimated 350 million people have diabetes, and that number is on the rise.

Differences between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes has been referred to as “adult-onset,” or noninsulin dependent diabetes, as historically it has tended to occur more often in adults and does not always require insulin supplementation or replacement. With Type 2 diabetes, a person’s body either resists the effects of insulin, an important hormone for regulating glucose in the cells, or doesn’t produce enough insulin to maintain normal blood sugar levels.

With Type 1 diabetes, the body produces little or no insulin. The condition has been referred to as “juvenile,” or insulin-dependent diabetes, since it tends to occur more often in children and adolescents, and requires insulin supplementation or replacement.

While Type 1 diabetes tends to be genetic and usually appears in childhood or adolescence, it can occur in adulthood as well. Similarly, Type 2 diabetes tends to affect adults, although the number of children with Type 2 diabetes has been on the rise in recent decades.

Obesity and Diabetes

Diabetes is often a complication of obesity, and although there is no cure for Type 2 diabetes, losing weight can reverse the condition, in some cases.

Managing blood sugar is critical for people with diabetes, and keeping a daily log of your blood sugar levels to share with your doctor is an important component of self-care.

This infographic highlights how to safely manage diabetes through:

• Blood sugar control
• Diet and exercise
• Weight management