Prevention and management

Prevention

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that cannot be prevented. Type 2 and gestational diabetes can sometimes be prevented or delayed through lifestyle changes including:

• maintaining a healthy body weight
• being physically active
• following a healthy eating plan
• managing blood pressure
• managing cholesterol levels
• not smoking tobacco [1].

Management

Once diagnosed, there are a number of strategies available to help manage diabetes including:

• patient education
• self-monitoring blood glucose levels
• having regular checkups
• lifestyle changes
• insulin therapy or medications where required
• support from healthcare professionals [2].