Good health begins with
your personal plan
to manage diabetes. You and your doctor will come up with a plan,
often with the help of a diabetes educator or a dietitian. They can help you
choose the best foods for controlling your blood sugar.
Changing your eating habits and
increasing your
daily activity are very important to bring down blood sugar level.
Many people with type 2 diabetes also take one or more medicines to help keep
their blood sugar under control. You may also need to lose weight. Weight loss
may help lower your blood sugar level.
If you smoke, try to stop.
Smoking increases your risk of diabetes health problems. Anyone with diabetes
faces a higher risk of heart disease. Smoking makes your risk even higher.
Talk with your doctor about ways to quit.
When you need medicine
Healthy eating and exercise don’t always lower blood sugar
level enough. You may need to take one or more
diabetes medicines.
Several types of medicines work in different ways to help control blood sugar.
Your doctor may prescribe one pill, a combination of pills, and/or insulin.
You may also take drugs to treat high cholesterol or high blood pressure.
Make sure to fill your prescriptions and take your medicine
as your doctor tells you to.
The benefits of aspirin
One helpful drug may already be in your medicine cabinet:
Aspirin. Low-dose aspirin reduces the risk of heart attacks. People with
diabetes are more likely to die of heart disease than anyone else.
Ask your doctor if you should take aspirin.
Sticking to your plan reduces your risk of
diabetes-related problems later on. You’ll also feel
better right away. And, you’ll have enough energy to get on with your active
life.
Also of Interest
Create your personal
Type 2 Diabetes Action
Plan (PDF Format) with your doctor.
Keep
track of medical appointments and more with this
handy wallet card (PDF Format).