Diabetes in Adults

Can Diabetes Be Controlled?

In the early stages, you may be able to control your diabetes without medication, by looking after yourself carefully. But if you are taking medication, taking care of yourself is just as important. It will help the medication work much better.

Things you can do to control your diabetes include:

Control your weight. For many people with diabetes, reducing weight is the single most important thing they can do.

• Don’t try quick weight loss diets. They won’t work for long, and can be dangerous.
• Do follow your diabetes team’s advice, and lose weight slowly and steadily.
• Don’t get discouraged. Losing as little as 10 to 15 pounds may make a big difference in how you feel and how well your diabetes is controlled.

Eat on time, and eat well. Keep track of what you eat, when you eat, and how much you eat. Small, regular meals work best for most people who have diabetes.

Exercise three to four times a week. Exercise does three good things.

• It helps control weight
• It helps the cells use blood sugar
• It helps prevent heart disease