Exercising more and not overeating can often help the body restore its balance of sugar and insulin. For some people, weight loss is all that is needed for treatment. You may not need to start or continue taking medicine. Your improvement depends on following the diet and exercise plans prescribed by your doctor to keep your blood sugar in the recommended range.

Taking good care of yourself to avoid complications is especially important with diabetes. Possible diabetic complications include heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney failure, and nerve damage, especially to your feet and legs. Carefully controlling your blood sugar and blood pressure will delay or prevent these complications. Also make sure you get yearly tests to check your kidneys. 

Many people with type 2 diabetes have other conditions that further increase their risk for heart disease. The 4 conditions listed below are known together as metabolic syndrome:

• diabetes or prediabetes (prediabetes is defined by a fasting blood sugar between 100 and 125.
• obesity, especially if much of your weight is carried around the abdomen.
• high cholesterol
• high blood pressure (130/85 or higher).

You are considered to have metabolic syndrome if you have 3 or more of these conditions. If you have metabolic syndrome, you are at very high risk of heart disease. For this reason it is very important to discuss these conditions with your doctor. You may need to work with your doctor to decrease your risk of heart disease.

It is important to follow your diet plan.  Learn how to make healthy choices when you eat out. Drink water when you have the urge to eat between meals.  Avoid compulsive eating. Limit the amount of alcohol you drink as it can cause low blood sugar.  Buy only the types of food included in your diet plan.  Eat on a regular schedule and eat slowly and chew your food thoroughly.

Follow your doctor's advice for physical activity. Choose activities you like and exercise with friends.  Do not smoke. Smoking speeds up the damage to the heart and blood vessels. Carefully follow the instructions your doctor has given you for taking any medicine he or she has prescribed. Always carry identification that says you have diabetes, in case of an emergency.

Learn about diabetes and its complications so you can make the correct decisions to control your blood-sugar levels. Many hospitals have diabetes educators and dietitians who can help you. Ask your doctor to refer you to these people.

The American Diabetes Association
Phone: 800-DIABETES (800-342-2383)
Web site: http://www.diabetes.org 

Even if there is a history of diabetes in your family, you may be able to avoid developing the disease if you maintain a healthy weight, exercise regularly according to your doctor’s advice, and eating a healthy diet.   If you have a family history of diabetes, you should get your blood sugar checked every year.