How can type 2 diabetes be managed

High blood sugar hyperglycemia. Eating certain foods or too much food, being sick, or not taking medications at the right time can cause high blood sugar. Signs and symptoms include:. Hyperglycemic hyperosmolar nonketotic syndrome HHNS. HHNS may be more likely if you have an infection, are not taking medicines as prescribed, or take certain steroids or drugs that cause frequent urination. Diabetic ketoacidosis. Diabetic ketoacidosis occurs when a lack of insulin results in the body breaking down fat for fuel rather than sugar.

This results in a buildup of acids called ketones in the bloodstream. Triggers of diabetic ketoacidosis include certain illnesses, pregnancy, trauma and medications — including the diabetes medications called SGLT2 inhibitors. Although diabetic ketoacidosis is usually less severe in type 2 diabetes, the toxicity of the acids can be life-threatening.

In addition to the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia, such as frequent urination and increased thirst, ketoacidosis may result in:. Low blood sugar. If your blood sugar level drops below your target range, it's known as low blood sugar hypoglycemia. Your blood sugar level can drop for many reasons, including skipping a meal, unintentionally taking more medication than usual or being more physical activity than usual.

If you have signs or symptoms of low blood sugar, drink or eat something that will quickly raise your blood sugar level — fruit juice, glucose tablets, hard candy or another source of sugar.

Retest your blood in 15 minutes. If levels are not at your target, repeat the sugar intake. Eat a meal after levels return to normal. If you lose consciousness, you will need to be given an emergency injection of glucagon, a hormone that stimulates the release of sugar into the blood.

Explore Mayo Clinic studies testing new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition. Careful management of type 2 diabetes can reduce your risk of serious — even life-threatening — complications. Consider these tips:. Many alternative medicine treatments claim to help people living with diabetes. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, studies haven't provided enough evidence to recommend any alternative therapies for blood sugar management.

Research has shown the following results about popular supplements for type 2 diabetes:. Talk to your doctor before starting a dietary supplement or natural remedy. Do not replace your prescribed diabetes medication with alternative medicines.

Type 2 diabetes is a serious disease, and following your diabetes treatment plan takes round-the-clock commitment. To meet the demands of diabetes management, you may need a good support network. Anxiety and depression are common in people living with diabetes. 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. If you're interested, your health care provider may be able to recommend a group in your area. You can visit the American Diabetes Association website to check out local activities and support groups for people living with type 2 diabetes.

The American Diabetes Association also offers online information and online forums where you can chat with others who are living with diabetes. Keeping your annual wellness visits enables your health care provider to screen for diabetes and to monitor and treat conditions that increase your risk of diabetes — such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol or a high BMI. If you are seeing your health care provider because of symptoms that may be related to diabetes, you can prepare for your appointment by being ready to answer the following questions:.

If you are diagnosed with diabetes, your health care provider will begin a treatment plan. You may be referred to a doctor who specializes in hormonal disorders endocrinologist. Your care team may also include the following specialists:.

Talk to your health care provider about referrals to other specialists who will be providing care. Before any appointment with a member of your treatment team, make sure you know whether there are any restrictions, such as fasting before taking a test. But it does increase your chance of getting it. Certain risk…. Do you know the warning signs of diabetes? If you're wondering if you may have diabetes, due to a family history or risk, you should see a doctor for….

A urine glucose test measures the level of glucose sugar in your urine. Having too much can be a sign of a health problem. If you don't receive…. The A1C test for diabetes allows doctors to see glucose levels over a 2- to 3-month period.

Learn more here. Metformin can cause side effects in some people. Find out everything you need to know about diabetes here. Get information on type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes. Discover symptoms, causes, and…. Type 1 diabetes is far less common than type 2, and the latter is more commonly diagnosed in adults.

Curious about type 1 vs. We'll give you the facts on differences, similarities, causes, risk factors, treatment, and more. The risk factors for type 2 diabetes are complex and range from genetic to environmental to lifestyle choices. Learn more. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Type 2 Diabetes. Understanding Type 2 Diabetes. As of October , all of the affected medications have been pulled. Symptoms of type 2 diabetes. Causes of type 2 diabetes. Treatment for type 2 diabetes. Medications for type 2 diabetes.

Diet for type 2 diabetes. Risk factors for type 2 diabetes. Receiving a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. Tips for preventing type 2 diabetes. Medical Services Find a Doctor. News Events. About Us Contact Us. Explore ucihealth. How to manage type 2 diabetes October 02, Ping H. Wang, MD. Tags diabetes. Post a Comment. Name: Name: must have at least 0 and no more than characters.

The value of the Name: field is not valid. The only way to get insulin into the body now is by injection with a needle or with an insulin pump. If someone tried to take insulin as a pill, the acids and digestive juices in the stomach and intestines would break down the medicine, and it wouldn't work. Getting insulin injections today is nearly painless, thanks to smaller needles.

Insulin pumps which deliver insulin through a small tube placed just under the skin cut down on the number of injections needed. Different kinds of insulin are used for different purposes. The types of insulin you use and how you take it each day will depend on what's best for you and your daily schedule.

If you take an insulin shot but forget to eat, your blood sugar levels can get too low. So try to avoid skipping meals or snacks. If your parents remind you to eat when you take your insulin, it's probably because they worry about you, not because they're trying to nag you!

Checking your blood sugar levels is another part of your diabetes treatment plan. It lets you know how well the other parts of your treatment plan are working, and it's the only way to know how you are doing with your diabetes control on a daily basis.

Your care team may recommend that you use a continuous glucose monitor CGM. A CGM is a wearable device that can measure blood sugar every few minutes around the clock. It's measured by a thread-like sensor inserted under the skin and secured in place.

The more frequent CGM blood sugar readings can help you and the care team do an even better job of troubleshooting and adjusting your insulin doses and diabetes management plan to improve blood sugar control. A blood glucose meter or CGM tells you what your blood sugar level is at the moment. Your doctor may also send you for another type of blood sugar test called a hemoglobin A1c test HbA1c for short.

It lets you and your care team know how your blood sugar levels have been for the few months before the test. Treating and managing diabetes can seem complicated at times. But your diabetes health care team is there for you.