Topic Overview

Is this topic for you?

This topic is for adults who have had type 2 diabetes for more than a few months.

If this topic does not answer your questions, see:

• Type 2 Diabetes, if you want to learn about type 2 diabetes but do not have the disease.
• Type 2 Diabetes: Recently Diagnosed, if you have been told recently that you have type 2 diabetes.
• Type 2 Diabetes in Children, if your child has been diagnosed with this disease.
• Type 2 Diabetes: Living With Complications, if you have eye, kidney, heart, nerve, or blood vessel disease caused by your diabetes.

If you are looking for information about type 1 diabetes, see the topic Type 1 Diabetes.

What is diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is a lifelong disease that develops when the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin or when the body's tissues become resistant to insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps the body’s cells use sugar (glucose) for energy. It also helps the body store extra sugar in muscle, fat, and liver cells.

How can you manage diabetes?

Taking care of your diabetes takes time and energy every day. The goal is to keep your blood sugar in a target range. It’s the best way to reduce your chance of having more problems from diabetes. These problems are called complications.

Just focus on one day at a time, and:

• Make healthy food choices. Eat a balanced diet, and try to manage the amount of carbohydrate you eat by spreading it out over the day. If you're overweight, losing 10 to 20 pounds can improve your blood sugar levels. There are many ways to manage how much and when you eat. Your doctor, a diabetes educator, or a dietitian can help you find a plan that works for you.
• Be active. Try to do moderate activity at least 2½ hours a week. It's fine to be active in blocks of 10 minutes or more throughout your day and week. Activity helps control your blood sugar by using glucose for energy during and after activity. It also helps you stay at a healthy weight, lower high cholesterol, and lower high blood pressure.
• Test your blood sugar levels. Everything in your life can affect your blood sugar levels, from what you eat, to how you feel, to how much activity you get. You may not like having to check your blood sugar regularly and keep track of the results. But testing can really help you keep your diabetes under control.
• Keephigh blood pressure and high cholesterol under control. Doing so can lower your risk of heart and large blood vessel disease.
• Take medicines, such as metformin (Glucophage) or insulin, if you need them. These can help you keep your blood sugar levels on target.