Is this topic for you?

This topic is for adults who have had type 2 diabetes for more than a few months. Before reading this topic, you may want to read Type 2 Diabetes: Recently Diagnosed.

If this topic does not answer your questions, see:

• Type 2 Diabetes, if you want to learn about type 2 diabetes but do not have the disease.
• Type 2 Diabetes: Recently Diagnosed, if you have been told recently that you have type 2 diabetes.
• Type 2 Diabetes in Children, if your child has been diagnosed with this disease.
• Type 2 Diabetes: Living With Complications, if you have eye, kidney, heart, nerve, or blood vessel disease caused by your diabetes.

If you are looking for information about type 1 diabetes, see the topic Type 1 Diabetes.

What is diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is a lifelong disease that develops when the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin or when the body's tissues become resistant to insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps the body’s cells use sugar (glucose) for energy. It also helps the body store extra sugar in muscle, fat, and liver cells.

How can you manage diabetes?

You play a major role in managing your diabetes. The most important thing is to control your blood sugar. To do this:

• Eat a balanced diet. If you are overweight, reduce your calorie intake to lose some weight. Losing as little as 10 to 20 pounds can improve your blood sugar levels. There are many ways to manage how much and when you eat. Your doctor, a diabetes educator, or a dietitian can help you find a plan that works for you.
• Exercise regularly. Get at least 30 minutes of exercise on most, preferably all, days of the week. Exercise helps control your blood sugar by using glucose for energy during and after activity. It also helps you stay at a healthy weight; lower high cholesterol; raise HDL, or "good," cholesterol; and lower high blood pressure.
• Take your medicine or insulin as directed, if prescribed by your doctor.
• Check your blood sugar levels regularly, as advised by your doctor.

The goal is to keep your blood sugar in a target range. You and your doctor may decide to keep your blood sugar as close to normal as possible. This is called tight control. It’s the best way to reduce your chance of having more problems from diabetes. These are called complications.

Taking care of your diabetes takes time and energy every day. But it will help you feel better and may prevent, or at least delay, complications.

How can you deal with high and low blood sugar?

Even when you are careful and do all the right things, you can have problems with high or low blood sugar. It is important to know what signs to look for and what to do if this happens.