hi
my husband has been detected with type 2 diabetes. he is aged 32, is 172 cms tall and weighs 87 kgs. the hba1c value is 7.6. he had had a check up months back and all values were safe/healthy. is it possible to maintain healthy sugar values with proper exercise and diet, without taking medicines? his mother is diabetic.
Hello Deepatom,
Diet and exercise according to your health professionals guidance should always be included as part of a healthy lifestyle. Sometimes this is not enough and when this happens, medication is often needed to control blood glucose levels. In the adult population in the United States between 2007-2009, there were 12% on insulin only, 14% on insulin and oral medications, 58% on oral medications only and 16% did not take any medications for diabetes. (http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/statistics/#Treatment)
Diabetes is a progressive disease for most people with type 2 diabetes. Many people are able to control their diabetes for a period of time with diet and exercise only but will need medication as their diabetes progresses. The next step would be for him to ask his physician what medication would be best to help control his blood glucose. Please let us know how he makes out.
Clara Schneider MS,RD,RN,CDE,LDN