Symptoms
If you have type 2 diabetes, your doctor may prescribe one or more treatments to help manage your blood sugar levels and reduce your risk of complications. Read on to more learn about some of the most common treatments and recommendations for people who are newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes.
Causes
Talking to a counselor or therapist may help you cope with the lifestyle changes or stressors that come with a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. Support groups can be good sources of diabetes education, emotional support, and helpful information, such as how to find local resources or where to find carbohydrate counts for a favorite restaurant.
Prevention
The American Diabetes Association provides several guidelines for treating type 2 diabetes, involving lifestyle modifications, medication, surgery, and more. No single treatment course works for everyone with type 2 diabetes, but the American Diabetes Association (ADA) does have a series of guidelines.
Complications
If you can prevent or even delay getting type 2 diabetes, you can lower your risk for all those other conditions. This guide will help you take small, practical steps that add up to a healthy lifestyle you can stick with and enjoy, including: Starting point: Assess where you stand with eating and your activity level right now.
Can my doctor prescribe treatment for type 2 diabetes?
How can I cope with a type 2 diabetes diagnosis?
What are the American Diabetes Association guidelines for treating Type 2 diabetes?
Can I prevent or delay type 2 diabetes?
Who should be screened for type 2 diabetes?
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening for abnormal blood glucose and type 2 diabetes in adults 40 to 70 years of age who are overweight or obese, and repeating testing every three years if results are normal. Individuals at higher risk should be considered for earlier and more frequent screening.
Who qualifies for diabetes treatment?
People with type 1 diabetes usually remain under the care of an endocrinologist for most of their medical care. People with type 2 diabetes will also need to see an endocrinologist.
When do you start treating type 2 diabetes?
For most patients presenting with A1C at or above target level (ie, >7.5 to 8 percent), pharmacologic therapy should be initiated at the time of type 2 diabetes diagnosis (with lifestyle modification).
What individual patient characteristics should be considered in determining the treatment goals?
The following patient characteristics, for example, support less stringent goals:High risk of hypoglycemia.Long-standing disease duration.Shorter life expectancy.The presence of important comorbidities, including established vascular complications.Lack of adherence or less motivation.More items...•
At what high blood sugar level should I go to the hospital?
For adults, if you start to feel drowsy or disoriented or if your blood sugar continues to rise, for example, above 20.0 mmol/L, call 911 or other emergency services immediately. It's best to have someone with you if your blood sugar is this elevated so that the person can call for you.
When does an endocrinologist need diabetes?
Your regular doctor can treat diabetes, but they might refer you to an endocrinologist when: You're brand new to diabetes and need to learn how to manage it. They don't have a lot of experience treating diabetes. You take a lot of shots or use an insulin pump.
At what A1C should you start insulin?
Insulin should be initiated when A1C is ≥7.0% after 2–3 months of dual oral therapy. The preferred regimen for insulin initiation in type 2 diabetes is once-daily basal insulin. In addition to timely initiation, rapid titration of the dose is indispensable for successful insulin therapy.
When should A1C be treated?
For most adults living with diabetes, an A1C level of less than 7% is a common treatment target. Lower or higher targets may be appropriate for some people. The target of less than 7% is associated with a lower risk of diabetes-related complications.
What happens if you don't treat diabetes type 2?
If you have Type 2 diabetes, your body's cells can't properly take up sugar (glucose) from the foods you eat. If left untreated, Type 2 diabetes can cause such health problems as heart disease, kidney disease and stroke.
What is the main goal in treating diabetic patients?
Treatments. The goal of diabetes management is to keep blood glucose levels as close to normal as safely possible. Since diabetes may greatly increase risk for heart disease and peripheral artery disease, measures to control blood pressure and cholesterol levels are an essential part of diabetes treatment as well.
What is the goal for the treatment of type 2 diabetes?
The general goals of the treatment of diabetes are to avoid acute decompensation, prevent or delay the appearance of late disease complications, decrease mortality, and maintain a good quality of life.
What is the goal for type 2 diabetes?
If you have type 2 diabetes, your immediate goal should be to get and/or keep your blood sugar levels under control through diet, exercise, and, if needed, medications.
Diabetes Treatment: Lowering Blood Sugar
Several classes of type 2 diabetes medicines exist. Each class of medicine works in different ways to lower blood sugar. A drug may work by: 1. Sti...
Compare Diabetes Medications
Here's an at-a-glance comparison of common diabetes medications. More medications are available depending on your needs and situation. Ask your doc...
How to Choose Your Diabetes Medication
No single diabetes treatment is best for everyone, and what works for one person may not work for another. Your doctor can determine how a specific...
How to lower blood sugar levels?
Exercise can lower your blood sugar levels. That’s a good thing, but you need to factor it into your treatment plan. Talk to your doctor about how much you move each day. You may need to change the dosage of some diabetes drugs if you're more active in your daily life or at work.
What happens if your blood sugar is too high?
Your blood sugar levels. If they stay too high for too long, you’re at risk for complications of diabetes, like eye problems or kidney disease. If your blood sugar is above where it should be, your doctor may add another drug to your treatment plan or increase your dose to get you to a healthy range.
Does exercise lower blood sugar?
For example, medications called GLP-1 agonists help you feel fuller longer after you eat. This may help you lose extra pounds if you're overweight. Studies show that the drugs also help protect against heart disease and kidney disease. How active you are. Exercise can lower your blood sugar levels.
Does insulin help with diabetes?
When you and your doctor are thinking about the best way to control your blood sugar, you've got a lot of options to choose from. Insulin and other medicines, including shots and pills, can help keep your levels in a healthy range .
Can you take insulin if you have diabetes for 10 years?
If you’ve had the condition for more than 10 years, some diabetes pills may not help you. But if you’ve just been diagnosed, your doctor might not make insulin the first treatment you try. Also, your treatment plan may change over time, because some medications get less effective the longer you take them.
What are the best ways to manage type 2 diabetes?
Healthy lifestyle choices — including diet, exercise and weight control — provide the foundation for managing type 2 diabetes. However, you may need medications to achieve target blood sugar (glucose) levels. Sometimes a single medication is effective. In other cases, a combination of medications works better.
How does diabetes medicine work?
Each class of medicine works in different ways to lower blood sugar. A drug may work by: Stimulating the pancreas to produce and release more insulin. Inhibiting the production and release of glucose from the liver.
Is diabetes a single treatment?
No single diabetes treatment is best for everyone, and what works for one person may not work for another. Your doctor can determine how a specific medication or multiple medications may fit into your overall diabetes treatment plan and help you understand the advantages and disadvantages of specific diabetes drugs. Oct. 24, 2020.
Is it better to take a single medication or a combination?
Sometimes a single medication is effective. In other cases, a combination of medications works better. The list of medications for type 2 diabetes is long and potentially confusing. Learning about these drugs — how they're taken, what they do and what side effects they may cause — will help you discuss treatment options with your doctor.
Does lowering cholesterol help with diabetes?
Lower cholesterol and have a very modest effect in lowering blood glucose when used in combination with other diabetes medications
What are the most important treatments for type 2 diabetes?
Lifestyle measures are one of the most important therapies for type 2 diabetes. They should be incorporated into all treatment plans and decisions.
What is the first medication prescribed for type 2 diabetes?
Your doctor will also consider your A1C test results, which provide information about your average blood sugar levels over the past three months. Metformin is usually the first medication recommended for type 2 diabetes, ...
How much does A1C decrease?
Each single medication generally lowers an individual’s A1C level by a certain amount. Some medications are more effective and can reduce A1C by 1 to 1.5 percent. Others may only reduce it by 0.5 to 0.8 percent. The goal of your treatment is to lower your A1C below 7 percent.
Why is Type 2 diabetes so common?
Type 2 diabetes occurs due to a combination of two issues. The first is insulin resistance. This means the body can’t use insulin as effectively as it once did. The second is the body’s inability to produce enough insulin to compensate for the degree of insulin resistance that an individual is experiencing. We call this relative insulin deficiency.
What does it mean to manage blood sugar?
Managing it effectively means using multiple risk-reduction strategies while also achieving your target goal for blood sugar control. To decide which treatment plan will benefit you the most, your doctor will consider the following factors: presence or absence of heart disease, which.
Is metformin safe for diabetes?
Metformin is generally the preferred initial medication for treating type 2 diabetes unless there’s a specific reason not to use it. Metformin is effective, safe, and inexpensive. It may reduce the risk of cardiovascular events.
Can you take metformin with type 2 diabetes?
Metformin is usually the first medication recommended for type 2 diabetes unless there are specific reasons not to use it. Your doctor may prescribe other medications at the same time as metformin, if you need them.
What Causes Type 2 Diabetes?
Insulin is a hormone made by your pancreas that acts like a key to let blood sugar into the cells in your body for use as energy. If you have type 2 diabetes, cells don’t respond normally to insulin; this is called insulin resistance. Your pancreas makes more insulin to try to get cells to respond. Eventually your pancreas can’t keep up, and your blood sugar rises, setting the stage for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. High blood sugar is damaging to the body and can cause other serious health problems, such as heart disease , vision loss, and kidney disease.
Who manages diabetes?
Unlike many health conditions, diabetes is managed mostly by you, with support from your health care team (including your primary care doctor, foot doctor, dentist, eye doctor, registered dietitian nutritionist, diabetes educator, and pharmacist), family, and other important people in your life. Managing diabetes can be challenging, but everything you do to improve your health is worth it!
How long does it take for Type 2 diabetes to show up?
Type 2 diabetes symptoms often develop over several years and can go on for a long time without being noticed (sometimes there aren’t any noticeable symptoms at all). Because symptoms can be hard to spot, it’s important to know the risk factors and to see your doctor to get your blood sugar tested if you have any of them.
How to check blood sugar?
Recognize the signs of high or low blood sugar and what to do about it. If needed, give yourself insulin by syringe, pen, or pump. Monitor your feet, skin, and eyes to catch problems early. Buy diabetes supplies and store them properly.
How does diabetes affect children?
Childhood obesity rates are rising, and so are the rates of type 2 diabetes in youth. More than 75% of children with type 2 diabetes have a close relative who has it, too. But it’s not always because family members are related; it can also be because they share certain habits that can increase their risk. Parents can help prevent or delay type 2 diabetes by developing a plan for the whole family: 1 Drinking more water and fewer sugary drinks 2 Eating more fruits and vegetables 3 Making favorite foods healthier 4 Making physical activity more fun
How many children with diabetes have a close relative?
More than 75% of children with type 2 diabetes have a close relative who has it, too. But it’s not always because family members are related; it can also be because they share certain habits that can increase their risk. Parents can help prevent or delay type 2 diabetes by developing a plan for the whole family:
How can parents help prevent diabetes?
Parents can help prevent or delay type 2 diabetes by developing a plan for the whole family: Drinking more water and fewer sugary drinks. Eating more fruits and vegetables. Making favorite foods healthier. Making physical activity more fun.
Carbohydrate management
The ADA recommends various dietary changes, including carbohydrate management. Because research into the ideal amount of carbohydrates for people with type 2 diabetes has been inconclusive, there are no concrete guidelines.
Protein and fat
The ADA recommends personalizing protein goals while having protein make up 15–20% of the total daily intake of calories.
Exercise
Getting enough exercise is another key part of diabetes self-care and management. The ADA has the following suggestions about physical activity:
Injecting
A person may use a prefilled syringe for their injection, or they may need to mix a solution first. A person can inject the drug in several areas, including:
Second therapy
The ADA goes on to say that if metformin is suitable, a doctor may introduce a second therapy. However, “Early combination therapy can be considered in some patients at treatment initiation to extend the time to treatment failure.”
Additional therapies
As time goes on, the ADA recommends adding treatments based on the person’s risk factors.
Individual treatment plans
Finally, the ADA says: “A patient-centered approach should be used to guide the choice of pharmacologic agents. Considerations include effect on cardiovascular and renal comorbidities, efficacy, hypoglycemia risk, impact on weight, cost, risk for side effects, and patient preferences.”
Mechanistically based treatment considerations
At the American Diabetes Association (ADA) Postgraduate Course, Ralph DeFronzo (San Antonio, TX) reviewed the mechanisms of action and utility of various antidiabetic drugs, suggesting that sulfonylureas “are very unlikely to create a durable decline in A1C,” based on understanding of the physiology.
Clinically based treatment considerations
Mary Ann Banerji (New York, NY) discussed clinical benefits and side effects of glucose-lowering medications at the ADA Postgraduate Course. Diabetes is one of the most common noncommunicable diseases worldwide, with prevalence predicted to increase to 370 million by the year 2030, driven in part by the increasing prevalence of obesity.
Considerations related to ADA treatment guidelines
Robert Ratner (Washington, DC) spoke at the Metropolitan Diabetes Society meeting on the ADA/European Association for the Study of Diabetes guidelines, giving his alternative approach to the treatment of type 2 diabetes.
Perspectives on TZDs and cardiovascular disease
Ratner also spoke at the ADA Postgraduate Course, discussing the risk-to-benefit ratio of the TZDs, using material given at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hearing in July 2007, available from www.FDA.gov/ohrms/dockets/ac/07/slides/2007–4308s1–00-index.htm.
What type of medication is prescribed for type 2 diabetes?
Depending on your health history and needs, your doctor might prescribe one or more of the following: other injectable drugs, such as a GLP-1 receptor agonist or amylin analogue.
What is type 2 diabetes?
Overview. Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition in which the body doesn’t use insulin properly. This causes blood sugar levels to rise, which can lead to other health problems. If you have type 2 diabetes, your doctor may prescribe one or more treatments to help manage your blood sugar levels and reduce your risk of complications.
How to check blood sugar at home?
To check your blood sugar at home, you can prick your fingertip and test your blood with a blood glucose monitor. Or, you can invest in a continuous glucose monitor, which continuously tracks your blood sugar levels using a small sensor inserted under your skin.
What is the goal of blood work for diabetes?
Blood sugar testing. The main goal of diabetes treatment is to keep your blood sugar levels in target range. If your blood sugar falls too low or rises too high, it can cause health problems. To help monitor your blood sugar levels, your doctor will order blood work on a regular basis.
Why do doctors recommend exercise?
Your doctor might encourage you to exercise more to help manage your blood sugar levels and weight, as well as your risk for complications from type 2 diabetes.
How to get a diabetic to exercise?
According to the ADA, most adults with type 2 diabetes should: 1 get at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous intensity aerobic exercise per week, spread over multiple days 2 complete two to three sessions of resistance exercise or strength training per week, spread over non-consecutive days 3 try to limit the amount of time you spend engaging in sedentary behaviors 4 try not to go more than two days in a row without physical activity
What is the best diet for diabetics?
In general, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends: eating a wide variety of nutrient-rich foods, such as whole grains, legumes, vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and healthy fats. evenly spacing your meals throughout the day.
How to prevent type 2 diabetes?
Prepare for the long run: Understand the support you have to keep you going. By making some healthy changes, including eating healthier and getting active, you can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes and improve your physical and mental health overall.
How to get your blood sugar down after walking?
After taking just one walk, your blood sugar goes down. Make physical activity a habit and see how your sleep improves. Enjoy the taste of fresh, healthy food.
What are some ways to get the nutrients you need?
Eat a variety of healthy foods. Eat all kinds of different foods from the major food groups: veggies, fruits, grains, dairy or dairy alternatives such as low-fat or fat-free milk, yogurt, and other products made from soy, almonds, and cashews, and lean protein. Eating a variety of foods helps to make sure you get the vitamins and minerals you need. You don’t need to eat all food groups at each meal.
What to do if you retake a risk test?
If you retake the risk test and find that you’re at a higher risk, or just feel like you’re struggling and not seeing the results you want, consider asking for your health care provider’s advice and direction. They could also refer you to specialists, such as a registered dietitian or mental health counselor, who can help you deal with a specific challenge. If you have prediabetes, ask your doctor if joining the National DPP might be a helpful step for you.
Can you delay getting type 2 diabetes?
If you can prevent or even delay getting type 2 diabetes, you can lower your risk for all those other conditions. This guide will help you take small, ...
Can you get type 2 diabetes if you have prediabetes?
By reading this, you’re already on your way. Prediabetes puts you on the road to possibly getting type 2 diabetes. Find out now, in less than 1 minute, if you may have prediabetes by taking the Prediabetes Risk Test. If your result shows you’re at high risk for type 2 diabetes, talk to your doctor about getting a simple blood sugar test ...
Diagnosis
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Alternative Medicine
Coping and Support
- Type 2 diabetes is usually diagnosed using the glycated hemoglobin (A1C) test. This blood test indicates your average blood sugar level for the past two to three months. Results are interpreted as follows: 1. Below 5.7% is normal. 2. 5.7% to 6.4% is diagnosed as prediabetes. 3. 6.5% or high…
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