Managing Type 2 Diabetes for iMatter2 Participants | NYU Langone Health

iMatter2 Study Managing Type 2 Diabetes for iMatter2 Participants

Managing Type 2 Diabetes for iMatter2 Participants

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Type 2 diabetes management might feel overwhelming because it impacts every aspect of life. Having to make changes can be stressful, but as you build routines and become more aware of how different choices affect your diabetes, it can become easier over time.

The iMatter2 PRO messaging system can help you become more aware of how your sleep, medication adherence, food choices, and exercise affect your blood sugar and overall wellness.

This page summarizes general information and recommendations from reliable sources and provides useful links about Type 2 diabetes management.

It is important to remember that everyone’s experience with diabetes management is different. Not all the information below will apply to every person. Be sure to check with your healthcare provider if you have any questions or need help finding techniques to meet your specific needs.

Basics of Self-Care for Diabetes

  • Take all your medicines every day
  • Eat healthy food
  • Get exercise most days
  • Test your blood sugar
  • Schedule regular checkups with your providers
  • Learn to manage stress
  • Take care of your mental wellbeing
  • Get enough sleep

The Centers for Disease Control provides resources for living with diabetes.

How Lifestyle Affects Blood Sugar

Keeping blood sugar within your target range is important for diabetes management, but there are many things that can cause changes in your blood sugar levels.

Medicine

When diet and exercise aren’t enough to lower blood sugar, insulin and other diabetes medications help to lower blood sugar levels. Below are some tips for using medicines effectively:

  • Talk with your provider about any problems. If your blood sugar levels are too high or too low, your provider might need to change the dosage, timing, or type of medicine.
  • Store medication as instructed. Insulin that isn’t stored properly or is past its expiration date might not work. Don’t store insulin in the freezer or direct sunlight and keep away from extreme heat or cold.
  • Check with your provider or pharmacist before starting new medicines. Medicines that don’t require a prescription or those prescribed for other conditions can affect your blood sugar levels or your diabetes medications. Ask your provider if there are alternatives.

Food

How much you eat, the kind of food you eat, and how you combine different foods can all affect your blood sugar levels.

  • Learn how to balance meals. Healthy eating includes knowing both what to eat and how much to eat. Two common ways to plan a meal are carbohydrate counting and the plate method.
  • Be mindful of portions. Learn about portion sizes for each type of food.
  • Balance meals and medicine. It is important to know how to coordinate meals and medicine schedules to maintain good blood sugar levels.
  • Limit sugary drinks. Sugar-sweetened drinks can cause spikes in blood sugar.

Find out more information on fruits and vegetables, carbohydrates, and sugar-sweetened beverages.

Exercise

Regular exercise can help your body use insulin better to lower blood sugar levels.

  • Create an exercise plan and adjust your diabetes treatment plan as needed. The general recommendation for adults is at least 150 minutes of exercise a week. Learn how exercise affects your blood sugar levels and talk to your provider about finding the best time to exercise.
  • Stay hydrated. Dehydration can affect blood sugar levels. Make sure to drink water while exercising.
  • Be prepared. Know the symptoms of low blood sugar and carry snacks as a quick boost if your blood sugar drops too low. Always have medical identification showing you have diabetes in case of an emergency.

Learn more about physical activity.

Illness

Being sick can cause changes in appetite and exercise routines. Below are some tips for maintaining consistency when dealing with an illness:

  • Keep taking your diabetes medication. It is important to continue your medication as prescribed. If an upset stomach or vomiting are making it difficult to eat, talk with your provider. Do not adjust or stop taking medications on your own!
  • If possible, try to stick to your usual meal plan. Continue to drink plenty of water. Eating as usual can help you control your blood sugar levels while sick. Keep a supply of foods that are easy on the stomach.
  • Make a plan. Work with your provider to create a plan with instructions for foods and drinks you can have on sick days, any over-the-counter medications you can take, and how often to check your blood sugar.

Alcohol

For someone taking insulin or other certain other diabetes medications, alcohol on an empty stomach can lower blood sugar levels. However, the calories in alcohol can also raise blood sugar levels.

  • Ask your provider if it is OK to drink alcohol. It is important to discuss any possible concerns about how drinking alcohol can affect your diabetes.
  • Check your blood sugar levels. The effects of alcohol can last long after you’ve had your last drink. Check your blood sugar before going to sleep to make sure your levels are in a good range.
  • Don’t drink on an empty stomach. Eat before or while you drink to help prevent low blood sugar.
  • Be aware of the calories you are drinking. Remember to include the calories you are drinking in your daily count. Consider alcohols with fewer calories, like light beer and dry wines, or use sugar-free mixers for mixed drinks.

Stress

In response to prolonged stress, your body makes hormones that may cause your blood sugar levels to rise. Stress can also make it harder to follow your usual routines for diabetes management.

  • Know how stress affects blood sugar. Understand how your blood sugar levels change during times of stress and make healthy changes. Find ways to help manage your stress.
  • Ask for help. Speak with your provider about ways to help manage your stress. Look for resources that can teach new techniques for stress management or relaxation techniques.

Find out more about mental wellness.

Periods and Menopause

Changes in hormone levels during periods or menopause can lead to changes in blood sugar levels.

  • Look for patterns. Tracking your blood sugar readings regularly might help you notice changes in blood sugar levels related to your menstrual cycle.
  • Talk with your provider about adjusting your treatment plan. Your provider might be able to recommend adjustments to make up for any changes in blood sugar levels related to your menstrual cycle. Your provider can also tell you how often you should check your blood sugar levels.
  • Know symptoms. Menopause and low blood sugar have symptoms in common. Talk with your provider if you’re nearing or in menopause. Check your blood sugar before treating any symptoms so you can confirm whether your blood sugar is low.

The Mayo Clinic has more information on diabetes management.

Tips for Managing Diabetes

Below are some ideas on how to manage diabetes, breaking it up into manageable steps:

  • Start small.
    • Set small weekly goals that are attainable and easier to achieve.
    • You’re more likely to continue to set new goals when you can accomplish something sooner than if you are setting long-term goals.
  • Take time for yourself.
    • It’s normal to feel overwhelmed.
    • Take a few minutes each day to do something you enjoy.
  • Work on coping with emotions.
    • Positive thinking can help you overcome emotions that you feel you don’t have control over.
    • Practice feeling gratitude for the good things in your life.
    • Talking with other people who have diabetes can give you space to share your feelings and learn about what helps other people cope with the same diagnosis.
  • Find ways to simplify routines.
    • Get groceries and medical supplies delivered.
    • See if your insurance covers 90-day supplies of medicine and try to obtain all your medication refills for the same time.
    • Schedule virtual appointments if you can’t go in person.
    • Keep a supply of easy cooking staples for quick meals (like oats, ground turkey, canned beans, canned tomatoes, Greek yogurt, vegetable broth).
  • Talk with your provider before taking any supplements.
    • Some supplements can cause side effects or affect how well your diabetes medications work.
    • Always check with your provider before starting anything new.
  • Take care of your feet.
    • High blood glucose levels can damage the blood vessels and nerves, which can lead to problems with feet.
    • Wear comfortable and supportive shoes.
    • Check your feet regularly for any signs of wounds.
  • Manage your weight.
    • Maintaining a healthy weight can have many health benefits.
    • Talk with your provider about if you are at a healthy weight.
    • If you need to lose weight, work with your provider to create a weight-loss plan.
    • The following can help you maintain a healthy weight:
      • Follow a healthy meal plan.
      • Regular exercise.
      • Sleeping seven to eight hours each night.
  • If you smoke, quit.
    • Smoking and diabetes both cause your blood vessels to narrow and increase your risk of having a heart attack or stroke, nerve damage, kidney disease, eye disease, or amputation.
    • Ask your provider to help you quit smoking.

For more tips, check out these resources:

How to Know if Your Diabetes Management Plan Is Working

The ABCs (A1c, blood pressure, and cholesterol) of diabetes is a way to check how well your diabetes treatment is working:

  • A1c – Your A1c test tells you your average blood sugar for the past two to three months.
  • Blood pressure – Your blood pressure tells you the force of blood inside your blood vessels. Your heart has to work harder when your blood pressure is high.
  • Cholesterol – Your cholesterol tells you the amount of fats in your blood. Some kinds of cholesterol can raise your risk for heart attack and stroke.

Remember to discuss your personal target levels and how often you should test your A1c, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels with your provider.

Learn more about the ABCs of diabetes from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

Latest Diabetes Research

To learn about the latest diabetes research, here are some resources:

More Information

American Diabetes Association: Health & Wellness | ADA
Cleveland Clinic: Type 2 Diabetes: What It Is, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
Mayo Clinic: Type 2 diabetes - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic
NYC Health: Diabetes: Living with Diabetes - NYC Health

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