Type 2 diabetes: often unnoticed for a long time

Well treatable

However, insulin resistance is reversible. “If you reduce your weight and adjust your lifestyle in good time, you have a good chance of significantly improving your blood sugar levels,” says Claudia Cavelti-Weder encouragingly. It is often enough to lose a few kilograms so that the insulin is sufficient to process the blood sugar again.

The USZ’s internal diabetes and nutrition counseling services provide valuable support in weight reduction. Because turning your life upside down can be a major inhibition. “As a rule, we don’t start insulin therapy for people with type 2 diabetes, but instead focus on lifestyle changes,” explains Ruth Hirschmann, Head of Diabetes Counseling at the USZ.

Insulin as the last option

If lifestyle changes do not bring any improvement, there are various medications available to treat type 2 diabetes, with insulin being the last option. “However, as this is a chronic, progressive disease, insulin and the use of a glucose sensor may still be necessary at a later stage.” By changing long-standing behavioral patterns, weight can be reduced and maintained in the long term. “But not everything is banned,” emphasizes nutritionist Noela Vontobel.

An assessment is always followed by individual nutritional therapy. However, it takes time for behavioral patterns to change. Once the first few kilos have been lost and the first improvements have been made, nothing stands in the way of sustainably healthy eating habits.