Diabetes Health Center
Type 2 Diabetes: Recently Diagnosed - Prevention
Because you have type 2 diabetes, you need to take precautions to protect yourself from life-threatening situations and prevent or delay the progression of long-term complications.
Prevent complications
People with diabetes are 2 to 4 times more likely than people who don't have diabetes to die from heart and blood vessel diseases.5 If you are age 40 or older, talk to your doctor about taking a low-dose aspirin daily to help prevent heart attack, stroke, or other large blood vessel disease (macrovascular disease). You can reduce your risk further by lowering high blood pressure and high cholesterol. If you smoke, quitting may also lower your risk of diabetes complications.
Exercise helps prevent heart disease. Exercise helps control your blood sugar by using glucose for energy during and after activity. It also helps you maintain a healthy weight; lower high cholesterol; raise high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or "good," cholesterol; and lower high blood pressure. Do activities that raise your heart rate. Try to do moderate activity at least 2½ hours a week. 7 One way to do this is to be active 30 minutes a day, at least 5 days a week. Also include resistance exercises in your program.6 Resistance exercises can include activities like weight lifting or yard work. See the topic Fitness for ideas on to how add daily activity to your life. Work with your doctor to plan a safe exercise program.
Prevent high blood sugar emergencies
Blood sugar usually rises above a normal or near-normal range slowly, but it can lead to a life-threatening emergency called a hyperosmolar state if it is not treated quickly. Your blood sugar may rise when you are ill, so follow the guidelines for when you are sick to help prevent a high blood sugar emergency.
Prevent low blood sugar emergencies
Low blood sugar is not likely to develop, unless you take insulin or some kinds of oral medicines for type 2 diabetes that can cause low blood sugar as a side effect. If you are at risk for low blood sugar, recognize and treat your symptoms early. Low blood sugar can lead to a life-threatening emergency if it is not treated quickly. Do not drive if your blood sugar level is below 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). Take precautions when you are driving, and be prepared to stop and treat low blood sugar.
Wear medical identification
Wear medical identification at all times. If you are involved in an accident or taken to a hospital, identification lets people know that you have diabetes, so they can care for you appropriately. You can buy medical identification as bracelets, necklaces, or other forms of jewelry at your local pharmacy.
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Type 2 Diabetes: Recently Diagnosed Topics
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.
Indication
Uroxatral® (alfuzosin HCl 10 mg extended-release tablets) is an alpha1-blocker for the treatment of the signs and symptoms of BPH.
Please see UROXATRAL full prescribing information.
Vinegar is in everything from coleslaw to pickles. What if you could actually use it to help prevent disease?
