Type 2 Diabetes - Home Treatment
Making healthy choices is a large part of treating type 2 diabetes. The more you learn about the disease, the more motivated you may be to make good choices and to follow your treatment plan. By understanding what is happening in your body, you may also feel more in control of your disease.
If you have type 2 diabetes, your daily routine will include:
Diabetes Wound Care Checklist: What's in Your First Aid Kit?
Injuries that are minor in a healthy person can have severe consequences when you have diabetes, so good wound care is essential. Because of reduced circulation and problems with sensation (neuropathy), people with diabetes are at a much higher risk for complications from ordinary, everyday cuts and scrapes.
Read the Diabetes Wound Care Checklist: What's in Your First Aid Kit? article > >
- Eating healthy foods and spreading carbohydrate throughout the day.
- Getting plenty of physical activity that raises your heart rate, including resistance exercises like weight lifting or even yard work.
- Checking your blood sugar levels.
- Taking pills for type 2 diabetes and insulin, or other shots if prescribed.
- Drinking enough fluids to avoid dehydration.
- Taking a low-dose aspirin, if your doctor advises you to.
Other important issues
If you have type 2 diabetes, you also need to:
- Always wear medical identification to let health professionals know in an emergency that you have diabetes. Medical ID necklaces or bracelets are available from your doctor, your local pharmacy, or online.
- Know how to recognize and to quickly treat high blood sugar and low blood sugar.
- Take extra care of your skin, teeth, feet, and gums.
- Know how to care for yourself when you are sick.
For more information on managing type 2 diabetes, see the topics Type 2 Diabetes: Recently Diagnosed and Type 2 Diabetes: Living With the Disease.
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Last Updated:
August 03, 2007
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor.
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information.
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Type 2 Diabetes Topics
Is This Normal?
Get the Facts Fast!Answer:
Your level is currently NormalHigh (hyperglycemia).Low (hypoglycemia). |
If the level is below 70 and you are experiencing symptoms such as shaking, sweating or difficulty thinking, you will need to raise the number immediately. A quick solution is to eat a few pieces of hard candy or 1 tablespoon of sugar or honey. Recheck your numbers again in 15 minutes to see if the number has gone up. If not, repeat the steps above or call your doctor.
People who experience hypoglycemia several times in a week should call their health care provider. It's important to monitor your levels each day so you can make sure your numbers are within the range. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.
If the level is below 70 and you are experiencing symptoms such as shaking, sweating or difficulty thinking, you will need to raise the number immediately. A quick solution is to eat a few pieces of hard candy or 1 tablespoon of sugar or honey. Recheck your numbers again in 15 minutes to see if the number has gone up. If not, repeat the steps above or call your doctor.
People who experience hypoglycemia several times in a week should call their health care provider. It's important to monitor your levels each day so you can make sure your numbers are within the range. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.
Your blood sugar level is slightly high. You should call your health care provider and ask if laboratory tests to check for diabetes are needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.
Congratulations on taking steps to manage your health.
However, it's important to continue to track your numbers so that you can make lifestyle changes if needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.
Your level is currently normal. However, if you are concerned about diabetes speak with your physician. There may be other risk factors that increase your risk for diabetes.
Your level is high if this reading was taken before eating. Aim for 70-130 before meals and less than 180 two hours after meals.
Even if your number is high, it's not too late for you to take control of your health and lower your blood sugar.
One of the first steps is to monitor your levels each day. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.
Your blood sugar level may be high, depending on when you last ate. If you have not eaten for at least 8 hours, your blood sugar should be less than 100. If you've eaten within the last 2 hours, your blood sugar should be less than 140. You should call your health care provider and ask if you need laboratory tests to check for diabetes. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.
Blood sugars consistently above 180 warrant prompt medical attention.
Even if your number is high, it's not too late for you to take control of your health and lower your blood sugar.
One of the first steps is to monitor your levels each day. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.
Your blood sugar level is high. You should call your health care provider and ask if laboratory tests to check for diabetes are needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.
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This tool is not intended for women who are pregnant.
