|
Treatment overview
There is no cure for diabetes. But when a treatment plan results in blood glucose levels that are normal or nearly so, a person's risk of developing complications is much lower.
There are certain things that all people with diabetes need to do to be healthy: have a meal plan and engage in regular physical activity (which can help the body use insulin so it can better convert glucose into energy for cells). Some people also need to take insulin or "oral agents," pills that help the body produce insulin and/or use insulin more effectively.
Many people with type 2 diabetes can manage the disease with meal planning and physical activity alone. If type 2 diabetes is diagnosed early, when the body is still producing and using insulin fairly effectively, changing eating habits and being more active may be sufficient to control blood glucose. On the other hand, many individuals have high blood glucose levels for years before they are diagnosed, and the disease may have progressed to the point where medication is also necessary. In both cases, the goal is to take whatever actions are needed to keep blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible in order to avoid complications.
It's vital for people with diabetes to monitor their blood glucose closely; regular checking will help determine how well the meal plan, activity plan, and medications are working together to keep blood glucose levels in a normal range. See our section on home blood glucose monitoring.
This section has more information on:
|
