Management is different for type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Managing type 1 diabetes involves:
- taking insulin injections so that your body can regulate and use sugar
- following your doctor's advice about regulating your diet and getting appropriate exercise
- monitoring your blood sugar levels regularly. Home blood-glucose monitor kits that analyze a single drop of blood are very convenient for this purpose.
- monitoring Hemoglobin A1c test (HbA1c), which measures your blood sugar control over time. Your doctor will do this test at least every 3 months to see how effectively you're managing your blood sugar levels.
Insulin therapy is based on how much insulin your pancreas may be making and how sensitive you are to it. The idea is to imitate the flow of insulin from a normal pancreas so that your blood sugar can be kept close to normal all day. Lifestyle, exercise, and eating patterns also affect this flow.
Managing type 2 diabetes involves:
- oral medications
- insulin injections (in some cases)
- dietary modifications
- weight control and exercise
- monitoring your blood sugar levels regularly
- monitoring your Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)
If you have type 2 diabetes, your doctor may prescribe oral medications (tablets or capsules taken by mouth). There are many kinds of oral diabetes medications. All of them work differently, but each lowers blood glucose. Ask your doctor which medication or combination of medications is most appropriate for you.
Eating an appropriate, well-balanced diet and exercising regularly is especially important in managing type 2 diabetes. Read more about this in "Nutrition and exercise to control diabetes" in this health feature.