Diabetes Health Center
Type 2 Diabetes - Prevention
Preventing type 2 diabetes
You can take steps to prevent type 2 diabetes. Even small changes can make a difference, and it is never too late to start making healthier choices.
-
Maintain a healthy weight. To find out if you are overweight, you can use the
body mass index (BMI) chart for adults
or the same
chart in metric. If you need to lose weight, losing as few as
10lb to
20lb can help reduce
your risk of developing diabetes.2 - Exercise regularly. Getting enough exercise lowers your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.4 Do activities that raise your heart rate. Try to do moderate activity at least 2½ hours a week. Or try to do vigorous activity at least 1¼ hours a week. It's fine to be active in blocks of 10 minutes or more throughout your day and week. Also include resistance exercises in your exercise program.5, 6 Resistance exercises can include activities like weight lifting or even yard work. This does not mean that you have to do strenuous activities or join an expensive gym-anything that increases your heart rate counts. Walking groups or programs where you use a pedometer to count the number of steps you take in a day are great ways to start exercising and to stay motivated. If you are at risk for type 2 diabetes, using an exercise planning form may help you and your doctor or other health professional to create a personalized exercise program.
-
Eat healthy foods.
- Eat a balanced diet, including whole grains, lean meat, and vegetables.
- Limit saturated fats.
- Limit alcohol.
- Limit calories in order to avoid gaining weight, or to help you lose weight.
- Reduce your intake of soft drinks, sugary foods, and junk food.
- Eat smaller meals more often in order to keep blood sugar levels within your target range.
- Get treatment if you have prediabetes. If your fasting blood sugar levels are in the range from 100 mg/dL to 125 mg/dL, you are at increased risk for type 2 diabetes.2
Preventing diabetes complications
You can help
prevent or delay problems with your
eyes, heart, nerves, and kidneys if you:
- Keep your blood sugar levels within your target range.
- Talk to your doctor about taking a low-dose aspirin to prevent a heart attack, a stroke, or other large blood vessel diseases (macrovascular disease).
- Control your blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
- Take an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) medicine at the first sign of diabetic nephropathy, even if you do not have high blood pressure.2
- Get regular eye exams.
- Take good care of your feet.
- Quit smoking. If you smoke cigarettes, talk with your doctor about ways to quit. Smoking contributes to the early development of diabetes complications.11 For more information, see the topic Quitting Smoking.
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Type 2 Diabetes Topics
Indication
Uroxatral® (alfuzosin HCl 10 mg extended-release tablets) is an alpha1-blocker for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of BPH.
Important Safety Information
Do not take UROXATRAL if you have liver problems or if you are taking antifungal drugs like ketoconazole or itraconazole, or HIV drugs like ritonavir.
UROXATRAL can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure, especially when starting treatment. This may lead to fainting, dizziness, and lightheadedness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do any dangerous activity until you know how UROXATRAL will affect you. This is especially important if you already have a problem with low blood pressure or take medicines to treat high blood pressure. There may be an increased risk of low blood pressure and fainting when taking UROXATRAL in combination with blood pressure medication or nitrates, or erectile dysfunction medication.
If considering cataract surgery (clouding of the eyes), tell your eye surgeon that you are currently taking UROXATRAL or have previously been treated with an alpha-blocker.
Before taking UROXATRAL, tell your doctor if you have kidney problems.
Also, tell your doctor if you or any family member(s) have or take medications for a rare heart condition known as congenital prolongation of the QT interval.
BPH and prostate cancer can cause the same symptoms. However, UROXATRAL is not a treatment for prostate cancer.
The most common side effects with UROXATRAL are dizziness, upper respiratory tract infection, headache, and tiredness.
Please see UROXATRAL full prescribing information.
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