Diabetes treatment strategy is a multifaceted and integrated process aimed at controlling blood sugar levels, preventing complications and improving the quality of life of patients through a variety of means. The following are the main strategies for the treatment of diabetes:
Lifestyle interventions: This is the basis for diabetes treatment, including dietary control, exercise and weight management. A reasonable diet is key to controlling blood sugar, and patients should follow the advice of the nutritionist to develop individualized diets, with more fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains and appropriate quantities of good-quality protein, while limiting the intake of high sugar, fat and salty foods. At least 150 minutes of aerobic activity per week with moderate intensity and increased daily physical activity.
Drug treatment: Drug treatment is an important component of diabetes management. For type 2 diabetes patients, the drug of choice is usually a metformin, with significant effects and fewer side effects. The addition of other drugs such as sulfado-type drugs, α-smelt enzyme inhibitors or insulin-promoting agents may be considered if simple lifestyle interventions do not bring blood sugar control up to the target. In some cases, the combined use of multiple drugs can improve the efficacy of treatment.
Blood sugar monitoring: Regular monitoring of blood sugar levels is key to ensuring strict control of blood sugar. Through continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and self-monitoring of blood sugar (SMBG), patients are better informed about their blood sugar changes and are able to adapt their treatment programmes in a timely manner.
Education and self-management: Diabetes patients need to be educated on how to calculate daily caloric intake, the correct use of food for food exchange, and the weight and volume of food. In addition, patients should learn how to monitor blood sugar, use insulin and other drugs, and how to respond to low blood sugar reactions.
Complication management: Diabetes are often associated with complications such as cardiovascular and kidney diseases, which require special attention. For patients at risk of cardiovascular disease, the use of SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonists is recommended to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events.
At the same time, certain drugs need to be used with care and to avoid the use of sulfado-type drugs in cases of kidney insufficiency.
Individualized treatment: Diabetes treatment should set individualized control targets based on the age, pathology, life expectancy, complications or the severity of the combination. For example, in cases of poor health, control targets can be relaxed as appropriate, but high blood sugar-induced symptoms and possible acute complications should be avoided.
Psychological and social support: Diabetes is a chronic disease requiring sustained long-term treatment. Patient lifestyles and self-management capabilities are essential for diabetes control. Thus, the psychological state of the patient and social support are also important components of treatment.
Diabetes treatment strategies require a combination of lifestyle interventions, drug treatment, blood sugar surveillance, education and self-management, and management of complications. With scientifically sound treatment, the vast majority of diabetes patients have effective control and enjoy a normal life.
