We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What are the Different Diabetes Treatment Options?

By Brandon May
Updated: Feb 19, 2024
Views: 4,841
Share

Diabetes treatment options depend on the type of diabetes a patient is diagnosed with, as well as the lifestyle and genetic factors that contribute to the disease. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes differ in the treatment options available, but are usually treated from a medical standpoint by an injection of insulin into the bloodstream. Other diabetes treatment options for both type 1 and type 2 include eating a diet low in sugars and carbohydrates and getting sufficient exercise every day. Alternative diabetes treatment options like using cinnamon or other herbs can be helpful in bringing down blood sugar, but they aren't a cure for diabetes or a replacement for wise medical advice.

Type 1 diabetes is a condition in which the body cannot produce enough insulin to help bring glucose, the preferred energy source for the body, into the cells. The main diabetes treatment options for type 1 diabetes are the injection of insulin, a proper diet and exercise. Insulin injections can help bring down high blood sugar because insulin is needed to take in the broken down glucose molecules into the cells. Eating a healthy diet that is full of fiber and good fats at the same time every day also helps keep blood sugar steady and consistent, as does exercising and leading an active lifestyle.

Type 2 diabetes follows the same treatment approach, however, diet and exercise are the major influences in controlling blood sugar. Eating a diet low in refined carbohydrates and sugars can ensure that blood sugar does not elevate to unnaturally high levels. Daily physical activity can help keep the cells of the body sensitive to the effects of insulin. These lifestyle changes help glucose enter the cells to utilize for energy. Due to the fact that the body does not have trouble producing insulin in type 2 diabetics, diet and exercise may play more important roles than the injection of insulin in the minds of some physicians, however, insulin is still widely used.

Alternative therapies and diabetes treatment options include utilizing physical exercise and proper diet, as well as the use of herbs and meditation. Cinnamon has shown promise in helping bring down blood sugar levels in diabetics, yet adding cinnamon to the diet shouldn't be relied on as the only treatment option. Meditation can help reduce stress levels, which can also bring down high blood sugar levels, but should only be included as an overall healthy diabetes treatment approach. Often, physical activity and a proper diet full of antioxidants, fiber and healthy fats are recommended as a more natural, non-medical approach to a structured diabetes treatment plan.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
By candyquilt — On Aug 24, 2014

@donasmrs-- Diabetes is caused by different things right? For some people, it's genetic, it runs in the family. For others, it's due to obesity. If obesity is the cause, then I think that weight loss, healthy diet and exercise can reverse diabetes. But if the cause is genetic, it probably won't reverse. If the pancreas has stopped producing insulin altogether, I don't think that's reversible.

A few years ago, everyone was talking about a surgery that cures diabetes. I don't know what happened but no one is talking about it now. I guess it didn't cure diabetes after all, or perhaps it had too many side effects.

As of now, there just isn't a cure for diabetes but I pray that one day there will be.

By discographer — On Aug 24, 2014

@donasmrs-- That depends on their insulin levels and how high their blood sugar levels. Technically, if someone's pancreas produces some insulin, he or she has type 2 diabetes. It's important to check a type 2 diabetic's insulin levels. If the body produces enough insulin, then insulin won't be necessary. But anti-diabetic medications in the form of a tablet will be given to increase insulin sensitivity.

If a type 2 diabetic suffers from both low insulin numbers and insulin insensitivity, then most likely, both insulin and anti-diabetic medication can be given.

By donasmrs — On Aug 23, 2014

So is someone diagnosed with type 2 diabetes automatically given insulin or are they asked to try diet and exercise first? Is it possible to reverse or treat type 2 diabetes with just exercise and diet?

Share
https://www.wise-geek.com/what-are-the-different-diabetes-treatment-options.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.