When you find out you have diabetes (What is it?), you will undoubtedly have a lot of questions in your mind. You will have a lot of concern over everything, including your diet and your medication. Explore this blog for answers to your diabetes-related queries.
Whether it is possible to stop taking medication after starting it for diabetes?
This is the most common question asked by many diabetics who have very high fasting sugar say A1C above 9 and the ones who are first-time diagnosed. You must first understand that diabetes does not emerge in the body overnight; rather, it takes years (often between four to ten years) for its symptoms to appear. Gradually, it may increase due to many reasons.
The diabetics who are taking insulin or tablet must follow three things
- Have lifestyle modifications including diet and exercise.
- Need a regular check-up with your doctor.
- Have an awareness about your target level say fasting sugar must be 100-110, post-postprandial sugar must be 160-180 and HB1C should be less than 7. Further, you must note that the sugar level may change for diabetics based on their duration and comorbid age.
Rather than reducing or stopping the tablets, your main aim must be to maintain the sugar levels under control.
Why you should start medication immediately on diagnosis?
You will be advised to see a diabetologist if your blood sugar levels are diagnosed as fasting levels over 126 and postprandial levels above 200 while you are having normal checkups, surgeries, eye check-ups, or dental check-ups. It is advisable to start taking medicine as soon as possible after being diagnosed.
Perhaps, taking proper medication with a doctor’s advice within an initial 5 to 6 years may help you hinder other diabetic complications.
Will diabetes medication cause kidney problems?
This is a common myth among many diabetics. Any diabetic’s goal should be to bring their blood sugar under control by lifestyle modifications. At the Erode Diabetics Foundation, we routinely screen for diabetes management and end-organ damage, such as kidney damage, eye difficulties, heart attacks, etc.
Additionally, avoid using painkillers without a doctor’s prescription. The most common causes of kidney problems may be
- Uncontrolled diabetes, hypertension of long duration.
- Idiopathic Chronic kidney diseases like Glomerulonephritis (contracted kidneys), Autoimmune diseases etc.
A diabetic who takes medicine normally over a long period will be subjected to routine screenings to look for complications. After screening, certain medications may be stopped or altered if a person has elevated creatine levels, a chronic illness, or diabetic kidney disease. Follow your doctor’s prescription instructions carefully, and if an investigation is advised, carry it out at the prescribed intervals.
What is the best way to control diabetes?
Controlling diabetes will help you to postpone the diabetic complications. The best ways to control diabetes are
- Diagnose diabetes early based on your risk factors of getting it says obesity, gestational diabetes etc.
- Maintain your blood sugar levels under control.
- Follow a healthy diet (50% carbs,20% protein,10-15% fat and rest with fiber and nutritive additives)
- Have regular exercise say 150 minutes per week (30 minutes workout for 5 days). Further, consult your doctor to follow an exercise pattern based on your health condition.
- Have regular check-ups with your doctor.
To conclude
Thus, this blog has helped to answer many diabetics on some of the most often-asked questions on diabetes. For further, queries call our diabetic foundation to learn more about your concerns.
