Diabetes Treatment Tips (from diabetes.com)

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).