Managing Diabetes

Long-Term

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease, which means that you have it for life. Although there’s no cure, you and your doctor can work together to control your blood sugar, which can help reduce your risk for type 2 diabetes complications.

Managing type 2 diabetes over months and years can mean making changes in your treatment plan. Diet and physical activity may control your blood sugar at first, but you may need to take medicine down the road. Over time, may need to change medicines, or add medicines, to keep your blood sugar under control. You may even need to use insulin.

Are You in Control

Remember, you play a major role in controlling your blood sugar and helping to prevent complications. With time, the lifestyle changes and treatments your doctor suggests can become a regular part of your routine.

Support from family, friends and your healthcare team can help you deal with diabetes long-term.




Complications

Good blood sugar control can reduce your risk of serious health complications from type 2 diabetes, like:

* Heart disease and stroke. Adults with type 2 diabetes are more likely to have heart disease or a stroke. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in people with diabetes.
* High blood pressure. Many adults with diabetes have high blood pressure or take prescription medicine(s) for high blood pressure.
* Eye problems. People with diabetes are at risk for cataracts, glaucoma, and problems with the retina (retinopathy), which can reduce vision or cause blindness. Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness in adults ages 20 to 74.

Are You in Control

* Kidney damage. Diabetes is the leading cause of severe kidney disease.
* Nerve damage. Many people with diabetes have some nerve damage. This shows up as numbness or tingling in the feet or hands. You may not feel pain well, so sores can get worse and get infected. Severe nerve damage in people with diabetes is a major cause of leg and foot amputations.
* Infections. People with diabetes may be at greater risk for infection and death from infections. High blood sugar may make it harder for your body to fight infections. People with diabetes may be at a greater risk for getting many other illnesses. Once they get these illnesses, they have more trouble getting better.
* Gum disease. Because infections are harder to fight, you’re more likely to develop gum disease.
* Problems in pregnancy. Diabetes that isn’t managed well, before pregnancy and during pregnancy, can cause birth defects and miscarriages. During the later parts of pregnancy, poorly controlled diabetes can lead to very large babies, which is risky for both mother and child.

There’s good news, though. When you manage your diabetes well, you can reduce the risk of these health problems.