Traditional And Novel Ways To Deal With Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease that was, until relatively recently, a death sentence. With the discovery of insulin and the advancement of medical techniques, people who live with diabetes can live long and fulfilling lives. Each person is unique in their methods for treating their diabetes.

If you have just been diagnosed or you want to know more about what you can be doing to improve your quality of life with diabetes, take a look at the list of treatments below, both traditional and novel, that can help you. 

Traditional

1. Insulin

Insulin was discovered in 1921 after much research into the source of blood sugar and how to reduce it. This was one of the most important medical discoveries in the twentieth century and has saved the lives of countless people who have been diagnosed with diabetes since. As the number one traditional method of treatment of diabetes, it is essential for the long-term survival of patients with diabetes.

The main function of insulin is to deliver into the body the substance that should naturally be produced by the pancreas to reduce blood sugar levels. People who have diabetes have a defect where their pancreas is not producing insulin naturally on its own, so they must get it from an outside source. 

Insulin used to be administered through syringes, but now the most common way to administer it is through insulin pumps. People with diabetes can choose a spot on either arm and install a pump that can deliver insulin into the body on a schedule. The pumps are technologically advanced enough that they are connected to a device with which patients can choose when to administer doses or set up a continuous release throughout the day.

They can notify patients when they have missed a dose or if their blood sugar levels are getting low. This advancement in technology helps patients with diabetes to feel normal and not have to prick their fingertips all of the time.

2. Weight Management

Often diabetes is linked with weight when we talk about treatment and prevention. It is known that if you are insulin resistant or are likely to develop diabetes, your doctor will recommend that you get on a weight loss plan and change your eating and exercise habits. 

There are many approaches to reducing your weight from cutting out fatty foods to taking supplements. Different treatment options like taking semaglutide can reduce appetite significantly, leading to a balancing out of a patient’s weight while also making the body more responsive to insulin. This may aid the body and allow it to need fewer insulin treatments. In the long run, this can save money and reduce the need for injections that can irritate the skin.

3. Changing Your Diet

With diabetes, the body is unable to maintain its blood sugar at a healthy level, so a person who is diagnosed with diabetes has to cut out a lot of different foods to stay healthy. The biggest food that has to be cut out is sugar. This can be hard because sugar is found in many foods, especially processed foods. 

To avoid accidentally consuming high amounts of sugar, the best thing you can do is consume raw and whole foods. Cooking at home is a great way to change your diet and ensure that you know exactly what you are putting into your body. Make sure to check the ingredients when you buy sauces like ketchup and barbeque sauce because they have a lot of hidden sugars. 

Novel

1. Herbs and Natural Remedies

There are many natural alternatives to harsh medicines that can help ease the aches and pains that come with having diabetes. By adding dietary supplements like cinnamon and turmeric into your food, you can help reduce blood sugar levels and lessen inflammation in the body that occurs as a result of diabetes.

These two spices are commonly found in grocery stores and can also be purchased in concentrated amounts and taken as pills if desired.

Other natural remedies include the external application of aloe vera gel on affected areas like sores and dark patches and even acupuncture to reduce certain symptoms of diabetes.

2. Alternative Medicine

Many alternative medical practitioners believe that mind-body practices like yoga and meditation can aid in the many side effects of having diabetes. When a person is diagnosed with a disease like diabetes, it can often take a toll on their mental health.

This could lead to anxiety and depression. Mindfulness activities like meditation and yoga help people with chronic diseases to re-center and become better acquainted with their bodies. 

A person who has an overall knowledge of their body and knows when things are going wrong is more likely to catch complications more quickly. This awareness can help patients to live a longer and healthier life with diabetes. 

3. Ancient Techniques

Although we are continuing to learn about diabetes, it has been around as long as humans have been around. Before insulin was discovered, different cultures developed different methods to help patients with diabetes and try to prolong their lives. The ancient Greeks believed in extra exercise to stave off diabetes, which is still a commendation today. People in India, a place known for its vast selection of herbs and spices, would concoct elaborate herb mixtures to reduce the pain and suffering of those who were ailing.

Although these practices couldn’t save the lives of people with diabetes back then, they can still be used now as an aid coupled with insulin treatments. Certain teas and herbal blends are still known to reduce pain and help regulate blood sugar levels in diabetes patients.

No matter what is offered as an aid in the fight against diabetes, only you know what works best for your own body. The best course of action for you is likely a combination of both traditional healing and natural healing.

Diabetes is a disease that is still being researched and will continue to be researched as new medicines and aids emerge for those who live with the disease every day.