3.1 Outline the treatments and other support available for individuals with diabetes: • nutritional • medication • exercise

This. guide will help you answer 3.1 Outline the treatments and other support available for individuals with diabetes: • nutritional • medication • exercise.

Diabetes is a long-term health condition where blood glucose (sugar) levels are higher than normal. There are different types, including Type 1 and Type 2. Managing diabetes involves a range of treatments and support. These often focus on nutrition, medication, exercise, and emotional support. Each plays a central part in helping people live healthy and active lives. In this guide, we cover some of the treatment and support options.

Nutritional Support for Individuals with Diabetes

Food choices have a direct impact on blood glucose levels. Good nutrition helps people with diabetes control their condition, avoid complications, and feel their best. Nutritional support must be clear, practical, and fitted to the individual’s needs.

Meal Planning and Balanced Diet

People with diabetes benefit from following a healthy, balanced diet. Carbohydrates (sugars and starches) affect blood glucose the most, so understanding how to manage them is important.

A healthy meal plan for someone with diabetes often features:

• Regular mealtimes: Helps keep blood glucose stable
• Whole grains: Such as brown rice and wholemeal bread, which release sugar slowly
• Plenty of vegetables: Adds fibre and keeps meals satisfying
• Lean protein: Examples include chicken, fish, eggs, or beans
• Healthy fats: Found in nuts, seeds, avocado, and olive oil
• Reduced processed and sugary foods: Limiting cakes, biscuits, and sweets

Choosing portion sizes that match activity levels and needs is key. Some people use “carbohydrate counting,” a method where they track the carbohydrates in each meal to manage blood sugar.

Support from Dietitians

A registered dietitian is an expert who gives practical, safe advice about food and drink. They work with people who have diabetes to:

• Help set up a personal eating plan
• Explain food labels and portion sizes
• Suggest swaps for favourite foods to reduce sugar and fat
• Review blood glucose diaries and help with adjustments

The support focuses on what the person enjoys eating, their culture, and their routine. This advice helps people feel confident in their food choices.

Managing Weight

Keeping a healthy weight often makes diabetes easier to control. Losing a little weight can improve the body’s ability to use insulin. Some people need support with meal planning, shopping, or even cooking skills. Social care workers can provide encouragement, help with shopping lists, or link people to community cooking sessions.

Managing Hypoglycaemia and Hyperglycaemia

Hypoglycaemia means low blood glucose. Hyperglycaemia means high blood glucose. People with diabetes learn how to spot these problems and use food to manage them.

For hypoglycaemia, quick-acting carbohydrates like fruit juice or glucose tablets raise sugar levels. For hyperglycaemia, the person might need to drink more water, adjust medication, or check what foods could be causing a spike.

Support with Alcohol Intake

Alcohol can affect blood glucose. Individuals are given advice about how much and what types of alcohol are safest, and the need to eat while drinking to avoid drops in blood sugar.

Education Programmes

Structured education sessions like DESMOND (for Type 2) or DAFNE (for Type 1) provide information, meal planning help, and group support. These sessions build knowledge and self-management skills.

Medication Support for Individuals with Diabetes

Many people with diabetes need medication to manage blood glucose. The type depends on whether the person has Type 1, Type 2, or another form such as gestational diabetes.

Insulin Therapy

People with Type 1 diabetes usually need insulin from diagnosis. Insulin is a hormone that lowers blood glucose. It is given by injection or an insulin pump. There are different types of insulin, including:

• Rapid-acting: Works quickly, used at mealtimes
• Long-acting: Works slowly, once or twice daily for background control
• Mixed insulin: Combines types for ease of use

Insulin must be stored properly, usually in a fridge, and used with care. People need skills to check blood glucose, adjust doses, and treat low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia).

Oral Medications

People with Type 2 diabetes often start with lifestyle changes before moving to tablets. Tablets help the body use its own insulin better or make more insulin. Common types include:

• Metformin: Helps the body use insulin more effectively and reduces glucose made by the liver
• Sulphonylureas: Encourage the pancreas to make more insulin
• DPP-4 Inhibitors: Help the body produce more insulin only when needed
• SGLT2 Inhibitors: Help the body get rid of extra glucose in urine
• Thiazolidinediones: Make the body more sensitive to insulin

Each medication has possible side effects. Support workers can help individuals spot these and know when to contact the doctor.

Non-Insulin Injectables

Some people with Type 2 diabetes use other injectable medicines. These help the body make more insulin after meals, slow digestion, or reduce appetite. One example is GLP-1 agonists.

Blood Glucose Testing

People may need to check their blood glucose at home. This is called “self-monitoring.” A nurse, pharmacist, or health care support worker teaches the person how to use a blood glucose meter.

Self-monitoring helps people:

• Understand which foods or activities affect them
• Judge the effect of medication
• Spot high or low readings in time to act

Prescribing and Reviews

Medication needs may change over time. Care plans are reviewed regularly. A GP, practice nurse, or specialist nurse checks blood results and any other health needs. Adjustments are made to keep blood glucose within safe ranges.

Support with Taking Medication

Some people forget to take their tablets or struggle to inject insulin. Social care workers play a part by helping with reminders, explaining medicine routines, and encouraging honesty about difficulties.

Exercise Support for Individuals with Diabetes

Physical activity has strong benefits for diabetes management. Exercise helps lower blood glucose, assists with maintaining a healthy weight, and supports heart health.

Types of Exercise

Most people with diabetes are encouraged to be active most days. The goal is at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise every week. This could be:

• Walking briskly
• Cycling
• Swimming
• Dancing
• Group fitness classes

Activities that build muscle, such as carrying shopping, housework, or gardening, are useful too. Strength exercises twice per week are often recommended.

Supports Available for Starting Exercise

Support is often needed, especially if someone is new to exercise or has complications.

Possible supports include:

• Referral to a physiotherapist or exercise specialist
• Local NHS or community exercise classes
• Walking groups or buddy systems
• Tailored exercise plans from a nurse or health professional

Motivation can be boosted with encouragement from family, friends, or support workers.

Safety and Health Checks

Before starting a new exercise routine, people discuss aims and risks with their GP or diabetes nurse. Safety is important, especially for people with complications like foot problems, eye issues (retinopathy), or heart disease.

Support workers check that the person:

• Knows how to check blood glucose before and after exercise
• Understands what snacks to carry to avoid hypoglycaemia
• Wears the correct footwear to avoid injury
• Knows to stop exercise and seek help if unwell

Exercise and Blood Glucose

Exercise makes muscles use more glucose, which can lower blood sugar. This means people who use insulin or some tablets must watch for signs of low blood sugar during or after exercise.

Signs of low blood sugar may include:

• Feeling shaky
• Sweating
• Confusion
• Dizzy spells

Quick action, like drinking a sugary drink, can fix this.

Emotional and Social Support with Exercise

Confidence and companionship help people stay active. Social groups, carers, or volunteers often step in to exercise together or provide encouragement. Local diabetes groups may offer physical activity sessions, talks, or outings to make exercise enjoyable.

Support for People with Limited Mobility

Not everyone can do vigorous exercise. People with mobility problems can try:

• Chair-based exercises
• Gentle stretching
• Swimming or water aerobics

Physiotherapists or occupational therapists suggest safe activities for each person.

Emotional and Social Support

Living with diabetes has emotional and practical challenges. People might feel stressed, low, or worried about their health.

Support might include:

• Diabetes support groups: Meet others, share tips, and reduce isolation
• Counselling or talking therapies: Help people adjust to changes and cope with worries
• Family education: So loved ones know how to help
• Help with daily tasks: Shopping, cooking, physical activity, managing medicines

Workers encourage individuals to talk about how diabetes affects them.

Practical Tips for Support Workers

Your role as a support worker includes:

• Listening to the person and respecting their choices and culture
• Reminding, supporting, and encouraging, not judging
• Assisting with meal planning or medication routines, if agreed in the care plan
• Helping the person stay involved in their community and social activities

Diabetes is personal. Each person’s needs differ.

Final Thoughts

Managing diabetes is about supporting people to feel in control and live well. Good diabetes care involves practical support with food, medicines, and activity. It also means listening to feelings and offering company or guidance where needed.

You play a key part in this support. Your encouragement makes self-management easier. Stay updated on guidance and work closely with health professionals and the individual. Your help supports the person’s health, independence, and confidence for life with diabetes.