Proper treatment for type 2 diabetes is crucial. If left uncontrolled, type 2 diabetes can cause chronically high blood sugar levels that damage your organs and blood vessels.

Three types of treatment are used:

Lifestyle changes are enough to keep diabetes under control for some people. If the disease progresses, you‘re more likely to need to take medications that help keep your blood sugar levels in a safe range. You may need to take insulin if your body is unable to produce an adequate amount of insulin even with medication.

Keep reading as we take a deeper look at each of these three diabetes treatments.

Lifestyle changes for treating type 2 diabetes largely consist of eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and avoiding stress or smoking.

Here are some recommended lifestyle changes to help treat type 2 diabetes:

  • Reduce refined carbohydrates.Replacing refined carbohydrates with whole grain carbohydrates can help keep your blood sugar from spiking. For example, you can replace white bread with whole grain bread or white rice with brown rice.
  • Manage stress.Stressoranxietycan elevate your blood sugar levels and make your diabetes more difficult to manage.
  • Avoid smoking.Smokingcan accelerate blood vessel damage in people with diabetes. Growing evidence also suggests that people who smoke are at a higher risk of developing diabetes than nonsmokers.
  • Try to maintain a moderate weight.In a 2018 study , researchers found that 86 percent of people with type 2 diabetes who lost 33 pounds or more achieved diabetes remission.
  • Exercise regularly.TheAmerican Diabetes Associationrecommends physical activity to people with diabetes to help lower cardiovascular risk factors and maintain a moderate body weight.

The main goal of type 2 diabetes medications is to prevent side effects such as eye, nerve, or cardiovascular damage. Medication is needed when your blood sugar can’t be controlled with lifestyle habits alone.

来看看一些最有限公司mmonly usedmedications:

Medication class Example brands Description
Biguanides Glucophage, Fortamet Includesmetformin, which is often the first medication doctors recommend. Reduces the amount of glucose released into your blood by your liver, and makes your tissues more sensitive to insulin.
Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors Precose, Glyset Delays the absorption of carbohydrates in your intestines and lowers your blood sugar levels.
Dopamine agonist Cycloset Thought to change levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine in a part of your brain called your hypothalamus.
Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors Janumet XR, Onglyza Blocks the enzymes which break down hormones (incretin) that signal the pancreas to make insulin. Also slows digestion and the release of sugar into your blood from your food.
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists Trulicity, Bydureon Helps your pancreas release more insulin when your blood sugar is high. Also helps slow digestion.
Meglitinides Prandin, Starlix Triggers the release of insulin from your pancreas after eating.
Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors Invokana, Farxiga 帮助你的身体摆脱更多的血糖是否h your urine.
Sulfonylureas DiaBeta, Glynase Helps your pancreas produce more insulin.
Thiazolidinediones Actos, Avandia Makes your tissues more sensitive to insulin.

Type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease. In the early stages, your pancreas increases insulin production to account for decreased insulin sensitivity. As the disease progresses, your body stops producing enough insulin, and you may need to takeinsulinmedication.

Here’s a look at the types of insulin used to treat type 2 diabetes.

Type Time to take effect Duration
Rapid-acting About 15 minutes with peak in 1 hour 2–4 hours
Short-acting (Regular) About 30 minutes with peak in 2–3 hours 3–6 hours
Intermediate-acting About 2 to 4 hours with peak in 2–4 hours 12–18 hours
Long-acting About hours after injection with no peak 24 hours or longer

Monitoring your blood glucose levels helps you understand the effects of certain exercises or foods on your blood sugar levels. This can help you create a diabetes plan with your doctor. Your doctor can advise you how often to check your blood glucose levels, but it’s usually at least once per day.

You can check your sugars with aglucometer, which is a classic finger-prick test. Another option is acontinuous glucose monitorthat inserts into your arm or abdomen. Monitors approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) include:

Type 2 diabetes is treated with lifestyle changes, medications, and insulin.

Some people are able to control their blood sugar with lifestyle changes alone. If the disease progresses, you’re more likely to need medications or insulin to help keep your blood sugar at a safe level.

Your doctor can advise you on which treatment strategies are best for you.