Understanding and Managing Diabetes

Understanding and Managing
Diabetes Mellitus- (a metabolic disorder)


Glucose Metabolism Disorder

Type II Diabetes
Adult Onset Diabetes
Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes





Edited and Reviewed by
Belai Habte-Jesus, MD, MPH
25 October 2010



Table of Content
1. Definition
2. Symptoms
3. Causes
4. Risk factors
5. Complications
6. Preparing for your appointment
7. Tests and diagnosis
8. Treatments and drugs
9. Lifestyle and home remedies
10. Alternative medicine
11. Coping and support
12. Prevention

1. Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

Type 2 diabetes, once known as adult-onset or noninsulin-dependent diabetes, is a chronic condition that affects the way your body metabolizes sugar (glucose), your body's main source of fuel.
When you have type 2 diabetes, your body is resistant to the effects of insulin — a hormone that regulates the movement of sugar into your cells — or your body doesn't produce enough insulin to maintain a normal glucose level. Untreated, the consequences of type 2 diabetes can be life-threatening.
There's no cure for type 2 diabetes, but you can manage — or even prevent — the condition. Start by eating healthy foods, exercising and maintaining a healthy weight. If diet and exercise aren't enough, you may need diabetes medications or insulin therapy to manage your blood sugar.





II. Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staff
Type 2 diabetes symptoms may develop very slowly. In fact, you can have type 2 diabetes for years and not even know it. Look for:
1. Increased thirst and frequent urination. As excess sugar builds up in your bloodstream, fluid is pulled from the tissues. This may leave you thirsty. As a result, you may drink — and urinate — more than usual.
2. Increased hunger. Without enough insulin to move sugar into your cells, your muscles and organs become depleted for energy. This triggers intense hunger.
3. Weight loss. Despite eating more than usual to relieve hunger, you may lose weight. Without the ability to use glucose, the body uses alternative fuels stored in muscle and fat. Calories are lost as excess glucose is released in the urine.
4. Fatigue. If your cells are deprived of sugar, you may become tired and irritable.
5. Blurred vision. If your blood sugar is too high, fluid may be pulled from the lenses of your eyes. This may affect your ability to focus clearly.
6. Slow-healing sores or frequent infections. Type 2 diabetes affects your ability to heal and resist infections.
7. Areas of darkened skin. Some people with type 2 diabetes have patches of dark, velvety skin in the folds and creases of their bodies — usually in the armpits and neck. This condition, called acanthosis nigricans, may be a sign of insulin resistance.
When to see a doctor
See your doctor if you're concerned about diabetes or if you notice any type 2 diabetes symptoms.
CausesDefinition
• See Also
• Symptom Checker
• Hyperglycemia in diabetes
• Diabetes symptoms: When diabetes symptoms are a concern
• The 'dawn phenomenon': What causes it?
• Diabetes
References
DS00585 June 13, 2009; © 1998-2010 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
III. Causes

By Mayo Clinic staff
Type 2 diabetes develops when the body becomes resistant to insulin or when the pancreas stops producing enough insulin. Exactly why this happens is unknown, although excess weight and inactivity seem to be important factors.
Insulin is a hormone that comes from the pancreas, a gland located just behind the stomach. When you eat, the pancreas secretes insulin into the bloodstream. As insulin circulates, it acts like a key by unlocking microscopic doors that allow sugar to enter your cells. Insulin lowers the amount of sugar in your bloodstream. As your blood sugar level drops, so does the secretion of insulin from your pancreas.
Glucose — sugar — is a main source of energy for the cells that make up muscles and other tissues. Glucose comes from two major sources: the food you eat and your liver. After intestinal digestion and absorption, sugar is absorbed into the bloodstream. Normally, sugar then enters cells with the help of insulin.
The liver acts as a glucose storage and manufacturing center. When your insulin levels are low — when you haven't eaten in a while, for example — the liver metabolizes stored glycogen into glucose to keep your glucose level within a normal range.
In type 2 diabetes, this process works improperly. Instead of moving into your cells, sugar builds up in your bloodstream. This occurs when your pancreas doesn't make enough insulin or your cells become resistant to the action of insulin.
In type 1 diabetes, which is much less common, the pancreas produces little or no insulin.
Risk factorsSymptoms
• See Also
• Video: How diabetes affects your blood sugar
• Diabetes and depression: What's the link?
• Stress, illness and high blood sugar
• Diabetes
References



IV. Complications
By Mayo Clinic staff
Type 2 diabetes can be easy to ignore, especially in the early stages when you're feeling fine. But diabetes affects many major organs, including your heart, blood vessels, nerves, eyes and kidneys. Controlling your blood sugar levels can help prevent these complications.
Although long-term complications of diabetes develop gradually, they can eventually be disabling or even life-threatening. Some of the potential complications of diabetes include:
1. Heart and blood vessel disease. Diabetes dramatically increases the risk of various cardiovascular problems, including coronary artery disease with chest pain (angina), heart attack, stroke, narrowing of the arteries (atherosclerosis) and high blood pressure. In fact, according to a 2007 study, the risk of stroke more than doubles within the first five years of being treated for type 2 diabetes. About 75 percent of people who have diabetes die of some type of heart or blood vessel disease, according to the American Heart Association.
2. Nerve damage (neuropathy). Excess sugar can injure the walls of the tiny blood vessels (capillaries) that nourish your nerves, especially in the legs. This can cause tingling, numbness, burning or pain that usually begins at the tips of the toes or fingers and gradually spreads upward. Poorly controlled blood sugar can eventually cause you to lose all sense of feeling in the affected limbs. Damage to the nerves that control digestion can cause problems with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation. For men, erectile dysfunction may be an issue.
3. Kidney damage (nephropathy). The kidneys contain millions of tiny blood vessel clusters that filter waste from your blood. Diabetes can damage this delicate filtering system. Severe damage can lead to kidney failure or irreversible end-stage kidney disease, requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant.
4. Eye damage. Diabetes can damage the blood vessels of the retina (diabetic retinopathy), potentially leading to blindness. Diabetes also increases the risk of other serious vision conditions, such as cataracts and glaucoma.
5. Foot damage. Nerve damage in the feet or poor blood flow to the feet increases the risk of various foot complications. Left untreated, cuts and blisters can become serious infections. Severe damage might require toe, foot or even leg amputation.
6. Skin and mouth conditions. Diabetes may leave you more susceptible to skin problems, including bacterial and fungal infections. Gum infections also may be a concern, especially if you have a history of poor dental hygiene.
7. Osteoporosis. Diabetes may lead to lower than normal bone mineral density, increasing your risk of osteoporosis.
8. Alzheimer's disease. Type 2 diabetes may increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. The poorer your blood sugar control, the greater the risk appears to be. So what connects the two conditions? One theory is that cardiovascular problems caused by diabetes could contribute to dementia by blocking blood flow to the brain or causing strokes. Other possibilities are that too much insulin in the blood leads to brain-damaging inflammation, or lack of insulin in the brain deprives brain cells of glucose.
9. Hearing problems. Diabetes can also lead to hearing impairment.
Preparing for your appointmentRisk factors
• See Also
• Pregnancy and diabetes: Is your body ready?
• Diabetic ketoacidosis
• Obesity
• Diabetic retinopathy
• Diabetes and pedicures: Do they go together?
• Bone and joint problems associated with diabetes
• Blog: Diabetes foot care
• Diabetic neuropathy can be painful complication
• Diabetes: How does it affect my liver?
• With diabetes, kidney care is crucial
• Autonomic neuropathy hits many body functions
• Diabetes care: 10 ways to avoid diabetes complications
• Don't drive with low blood glucose
• Pain relief difficult with neuropathies
• Amputation and diabetes: How to protect your feet
• Diabetes

V. Preparing for your appointment

By Mayo Clinic staff
Your family doctor or primary care physician will probably make the initial diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. However, you'll likely then be referred to an endocrinologist, a doctor who specializes in hormonal disorders. Your health care team will also generally include a dietitian, a certified diabetes educator, a foot doctor (podiatrist) and an ophthalmologist — a doctor who specializes in eye care. If your blood sugar levels are very high, your doctor may send you to the hospital for treatment.
Because appointments can be brief, and there's often a lot of ground to cover, it's a good idea to be well prepared for any appointments you have with your health care team. Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment, and what you can expect from your doctor.
What you can do
1. Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions. If your doctor is going to test your blood sugar, he or she will ask you to refrain from eating or drinking anything but water for eight hours for a fasting glucose test or four hours for a pre-meal test. When you're making an appointment, ask if fasting is necessary.

2. Write down any symptoms you're experiencing, including any that may seem unrelated.

3. Ask a family member or friend to join you, if possible. Managing diabetes well requires that you retain a lot of information, and sometimes, it's difficult to remember everything you've learned during an appointment. Someone who accompanies you may remember something that you missed or forgot.

4. Bring a notebook and a pen or pencil, to write down important information.

5. Write down questions to ask your doctor.
Your time with your doctor is limited, so preparing a list of questions can help you make the most of your time together. List your questions from most important to least important in case time runs out. Many questions may be best answered by other members of your health care team such as a dietitian or a certified diabetes educator. For type 2 diabetes, some basic questions to ask include:
Glucose monitoring
1. How often do I need to monitor my blood sugar?
2. What is my goal range?
Lifestyle changes
1. What types of changes do I need to make to my diet?
2. How can I learn about counting carbohydrates in foods?
3. Should I see a dietitian to help with meal planning at home?
4. How much exercise should I get each day?
Medications
1. Will I need to take medicine? If so, what kind and how much?
2. Does the medicine need to be taken at any particular time of the day?
3. Do I need to take insulin?
Complications
1. What are the signs and symptoms of low blood sugar?
2. How do I treat low blood sugar?
3. What about high blood sugar — what are the signs and symptoms?
4. When should I test for ketones, and how do I do it?



Medical management
1. How often do I need to be monitored for diabetes complications? What specialists do I need to see?
2. Are there any resources available if I'm having trouble paying for diabetes supplies?
3. Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take home with me? What Web sites do you recommend?
4. In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask questions during your appointment at any time that you don't understand something.
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may reserve time to go over any points you want to spend more time on. Your doctor may ask:
1. Do you understand and feel confident you can follow your treatment plan?
2. How are you coping with diabetes?
3. Have you experienced any low blood sugar?
4. What's a typical day's diet like?
5. Are you exercising? If so, how often?
What you can do in the meantime
If your blood sugar isn't well controlled, or if you're not sure about what to do in a certain situation, don't hesitate to contact your doctor or diabetes educator in between appointments for guidance.
• Definition
• Symptoms
• Causes
• Risk factors
• Complications
• Preparing for your appointment
• Tests and diagnosis
• Treatments and drugs
• Lifestyle and home remedies
• Alternative medicine
• Coping and support
• Prevention
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VI. Treatments and drugs

By Mayo Clinic staff
Insulin pump

Treatment for type 2 diabetes requires a lifelong commitment to:
1. Blood sugar monitoring
2. Healthy eating
3. Regular exercise
4. Possibly, diabetes medication or insulin therapy
These steps will help keep your blood sugar level closer to normal, which can delay or prevent complications.
If managing your diabetes seems overwhelming, take it one day at a time. And remember that you're not in it alone. You'll work closely with your diabetes treatment team — doctor, diabetes educator and registered dietitian — to keep your blood sugar level as close to normal as possible.
Monitoring your blood sugar
Depending on your treatment plan, you may check and record your blood sugar level once a day or several times a week. Ask your doctor how often he or she wants you to check your blood sugar. Careful monitoring is the only way to make sure that your blood sugar level remains within your target range.
Even if you eat on a rigid schedule, the amount of sugar in your blood can change unpredictably. With help from your diabetes treatment team, you'll learn how your blood sugar level changes in response to:
1. Food. What and how much you eat will affect your blood sugar level. Blood sugar is typically highest one to two hours after a meal.
2. Physical activity. Physical activity moves sugar from your blood into your cells. The more active you are, the lower your blood sugar level.
3. Medication. Any medications you take may affect your blood sugar level, sometimes requiring changes in your diabetes treatment plan.
4. Illness. During a cold or other illness, your body will produce hormones that raise your blood sugar level.
5. Alcohol. Alcohol and the substances you use to make mixed drinks can cause either high or low blood sugar, depending on how much you drink and if you eat at the same time.
6. Stress. The hormones your body may produce in response to prolonged stress may prevent insulin from working properly.
7. For women, fluctuations in hormone levels. As your hormone levels fluctuate during your menstrual cycle, so can your blood sugar level — particularly in the week before your period. Menopause may trigger fluctuations in your blood sugar level as well.
8. Healthy eating
Contrary to popular perception, there's no diabetes diet. You won't be restricted to a lifetime of boring, bland foods. Instead, you'll need plenty of:
9. Fruits
10. Vegetables
11. Whole grains
These foods are high in nutrition and low in fat and calories. You'll also need to eat fewer animal products and sweets.
Counting carbohydrates in your food is another thing you'll need to incorporate into meal planning. A registered dietitian can help you learn to count carbohydrates and put together a meal plan that fits your health goals, food preferences and lifestyle. Once you've covered the basics, remember the importance of consistency. To keep your blood sugar on an even keel, try to eat the same amount of food with the same proportion of carbohydrates, proteins and fats at the same time every day.
Low glycemic index foods may also be helpful. The glycemic index is a measure of how quickly a food causes a rise in your blood sugar. Foods with a high glycemic index raise your blood sugar quickly. Low glycemic foods may help you achieve a more stable blood sugar. Foods with a low glycemic index typically are foods that are higher in fiber.
Physical activity
Everyone needs regular aerobic exercise, and people who have type 2 diabetes are no exception. Get your doctor's OK before you start an exercise program. Then choose activities you enjoy, such as walking, swimming or biking. What's most important is making physical activity part of your daily routine.
Aim for at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise most days of the week. Stretching and strength training exercises are important, too. In fact, a combination of aerobic exercise and strength training is more effective at controlling blood sugar than either exercise on its own. If you haven't been active for a while, start slowly and build up gradually.
Remember that physical activity lowers blood sugar. Check your blood sugar level before any activity. You might need to eat a snack before exercising to help prevent low blood sugar if you take diabetes medications that lower your blood sugar or insulin.
Diabetes medications and insulin therapy
Some people who have type 2 diabetes can manage their blood sugar with diet and exercise alone, but many need diabetes medications or insulin therapy. The decision about which medications are best depends on many factors, including your blood sugar level and the presence of any other health problems. Your doctor might even combine drugs from different classes to help you control your blood sugar in several different ways.
1. Diabetes medications. Often, people who are newly diagnosed will be prescribed metformin (Glucophage), a diabetes medication that lowers glucose production in the liver. Your doctor will also recommend lifestyle changes, such as losing weight and becoming more active.
2. Along with metformin, other oral or injected medications can be used to treat type 2 diabetes. Some diabetes medications stimulate your pancreas to produce and release more insulin. Still others block the action of enzymes that break down carbohydrates or make your tissues more sensitive to insulin.
3. In addition to diabetes medications, your doctor might prescribe low-dose aspirin therapy as well as blood pressure and cholesterol lowering medications to help prevent heart and blood vessel disease.
4. Insulin therapy. Some people who have type 2 diabetes need insulin therapy as well. Because normal digestion interferes with insulin taken by mouth, insulin must be injected.
5. Insulin injections involve using a fine needle and syringe or an insulin pen injector — a device that looks like an ink pen, except the cartridge is filled with insulin.
6. An insulin pump also may be an option. The pump is a device about the size of a cell phone worn on the outside of your body. A tube connects the reservoir of insulin to a catheter that's inserted under the skin of your abdomen. A tubeless pump that uses disposable pods to hold the insulin and a wireless device to tell the pump what to do is also available. A small catheter from the pod is automatically inserted under the skin, and the pod can be worn on the abdomen, lower back, thighs or upper arms. Whichever insulin pump you use, it can be programmed to dispense specific amounts of insulin automatically. It can also be adjusted to deliver more or less insulin depending on meals, activity level and blood sugar level.
Types of insulin are many and include rapid-acting insulin, long-acting insulin and intermediate options. Examples include insulin lispro (Humalog), insulin aspart (NovoLog), insulin glargine (Lantus) and insulin detemir (Levemir).
Depending on your needs, your doctor may prescribe a mixture of insulin types to use throughout the day and night.
Bariatric surgery
If you have type 2 diabetes and your body mass index (BMI) is greater than 35, you may be a candidate for weight-loss surgery (bariatric surgery). Blood sugar levels return to normal in 55 to 95 percent of people with diabetes depending on the procedure performed. Surgeries that bypass a portion of the small intestine have more of an effect on blood sugar levels than do other weight-loss surgeries. However, the surgery is expensive and there are risks involved, including a slight risk of death. Additionally, drastic lifestyle changes are required and long-term complications may include nutritional deficiencies and osteoporosis.
Pregnancy
Women with type 2 diabetes will likely need to alter their treatment during pregnancy. Although there's no evidence that metformin is harmful to a growing fetus, studies haven't been done to definitively establish its safety in pregnancy. So, during pregnancy, you'll be switched to insulin therapy. Also, many cholesterol and blood pressure lowering medications can't be used during pregnancy. If you have signs of diabetic retinopathy, it may worsen during pregnancy. Visit your ophthalmologist during the first trimester of your pregnancy and at one year postpartum.
Signs of trouble
Because so many factors can affect your blood sugar, problems sometimes arise. These conditions require immediate care, because if left untreated, seizures and loss of consciousness (coma) can occur.
1. High blood sugar (hyperglycemia). Your blood sugar level can rise for many reasons, including eating too much, being sick or not taking enough glucose-lowering medication. Check your blood sugar level often, and watch for signs and symptoms of high blood sugar — frequent urination, increased thirst, dry mouth, blurred vision, fatigue and nausea. If you have hyperglycemia, you'll need to adjust your meal plan, medications or both.

2. Increased ketones in your urine (diabetic ketoacidosis). If your cells are starved for energy, your body may begin to break down fat. This produces toxic acids known as ketones. Watch for loss of appetite, weakness, vomiting, fever, stomach pain and a sweet, fruity smell on your breath. You can check your urine for excess ketones with an over-the-counter ketones test kit. If you have excess ketones in your urine, consult your doctor right away or seek emergency care. This condition is more common in people with type 1 diabetes.

3. Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic syndrome. Signs and symptoms of this life-threatening condition include a blood sugar reading over 600 mg/dL, dry mouth, extreme thirst, fever over 101 F (38 C), drowsiness, confusion, vision loss, hallucinations and dark urine. Hyperosmolar syndrome is caused by sky-high blood sugar that turns blood thick and syrupy. It tends to be more common in people with type 2 diabetes, and it's often preceded by an illness. Hyperosmolar syndrome usually develops over days or weeks. Call your doctor or seek immediate medical care if you have signs or symptoms of this condition.
4. Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). If your blood sugar level drops below your target range, it's known as low blood sugar. Your blood sugar level can drop for many reasons, including skipping a meal and getting more physical activity than normal. However, low blood sugar is most likely if you take glucose-lowering medications that promote the secretion of insulin or if you're on insulin therapy. Check your blood sugar level regularly, and watch for signs and symptoms of low blood sugar — sweating, shakiness, weakness, hunger, dizziness, headache, blurred vision, heart palpitations, slurred speech, drowsiness, confusion and seizures.
If you develop hypoglycemia during the night, you might wake with sweat-soaked pajamas or a headache. Thanks to a natural rebound effect, nighttime hypoglycemia might cause an unusually high blood sugar reading first thing in the morning.
If you have signs or symptoms of low blood sugar, eat or drink something that will quickly raise your blood sugar level — fruit juice, glucose tablets, hard candy, regular (not diet) soda or another source of sugar. Retest in 15 minutes to be sure you're blood glucose levels are normal. If they're not, treat again and retest in another 15 minutes. If you lose consciousness, a family member or close contact may need to give you an emergency injection of glucagon, a hormone that stimulates the release of sugar into the blood.
Lifestyle and home remediesTests and diagnosis
• See Also
1. Byetta: Can diabetes drug also help me lose weight?
2. Diabetes treatment: Medications for type 2 diabetes
3. Glycemic index diet: Losing weight with blood sugar control
4. Insulin injections: Does needle size matter?
5. Intensive insulin therapy: Achieving tight blood sugar control
6. Diabetes treatment: Using insulin to manage your blood sugar
7. Blood glucose monitors: What factors affect accuracy?
8. Insulin devices being discontinued
9. Psychological insulin resistance stems from fear
10. Diabetes educators play key role
11. Avandia safety concerns: What should I do?
12. Insulin: Compare common options for insulin therapy
13. Blog: Beware summer extremes with insulin
14. Blood glucose meter: How to choose
15. Future holds hope for managing diabetes
16. Diabetes then and now
17. Blog: Choosing a diabetes doctor
18. Diabetes management: Does aspirin therapy prevent heart problems?
19. Use the rule of 15 to treat low blood glucose
20. Blog: How to talk with your doctor about diabetes
21. Insulin and weight gain: Keep the pounds off
22. Diabetes
23. References
DS00585
June 13, 2009
© 1998-2010 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
Tests and diagnosis Complications
• See Also
• Diabetes
References
DS00585
June 13, 2009
© 1998-2010 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.


Mayo Clinic Health Manager
Get free personalized health guidance for you and your family.
GET STARTED
VII. Tests and diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic staff
In June 2009, an international committee composed of experts from the American Diabetes Association, the European Association for the Study of Diabetes and the International Diabetes Federation recommended that type 2 diabetes testing include the:
1. Glycated hemoglobin (A1C) test. This blood test indicates your average blood sugar level for the past two to three months. It works by measuring the percentage of blood sugar attached to hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells. The higher your blood sugar levels, the more hemoglobin you'll have with sugar attached. An A1C level of 6.5 percent or higher on two separate tests indicates you have diabetes. A result between 6 and 6.5 percent is considered pre-diabetes, which indicates a high risk of developing diabetes.
2. If the A1C test isn't available, or if you have certain conditions that can make the A1C test inaccurate — such as if you're pregnant or have an uncommon form of hemoglobin (known as a hemoglobin variant) — your doctor may use the following tests to diagnose diabetes:
3. Random blood sugar test. A blood sample will be taken at a random time. Regardless of when you last ate, a random blood sugar level of 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or higher suggests diabetes.
4. Fasting blood sugar test. A blood sample will be taken after an overnight fast. A fasting blood sugar level less than 100 mg/dL is normal. A fasting blood sugar level from 100 to 125 mg/dL is considered pre-diabetes. If it's 126 mg/dL or higher on two separate tests, you'll be diagnosed with diabetes.
5. An oral glucose tolerance test may also be performed. For this test, you fast overnight, and the fasting blood sugar level is measured. Then, you drink a sugary liquid, and blood sugar levels are tested periodically for the next several hours. A reading of more than 200 mg/dL after two hours indicates diabetes. A reading between 140 and 199 mg/dL indicates pre-diabetes.
6. Routine Screening. The American Diabetes Association recommends routine screening for type 2 diabetes beginning at age 45, especially if you're overweight. If the results are normal, repeat the test every three years. If the results are borderline, ask your doctor when to come back for another test.
7. Screening at risk factors. Screening is also recommended for people who are under 45 and overweight if there are other heart disease or diabetes risk factors present, such as a sedentary lifestyle, a family history of type 2 diabetes, a personal history of gestational diabetes or blood pressure above 135/80 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg).
If you're diagnosed with diabetes, the doctor may do other tests to distinguish between type 1 and type 2 diabetes — which often require different treatment strategies because in type 1 diabetes, the pancreas no longer makes insulin.
After the diagnosis

A1C levels need to be checked between two and four times a year. Your target A1C goal may vary depending on your age and various other factors. However, for most people, the American Diabetes Association recommends an A1C level below 7 percent. Ask your doctor what your A1C target is.
The American Diabetes Association has recently introduced a formula that translates the A1C into what's known as an estimated average glucose (eAG). The eAG more closely correlates with daily blood sugar readings. An A1C of 7 percent translates to an eAG of 154 mg/dL. That would mean that your average blood sugar levels are around 150 mg/dL.
Compared with repeated daily blood sugar tests, A1C testing better indicates how well your diabetes treatment plan is working. An elevated A1C level may signal the need for a change in your medication or meal plan.
In addition to the A1C test, the doctor will also take blood and urine samples periodically to check your cholesterol levels, thyroid function, liver function and kidney function. The doctor will assess your blood pressure. Regular eye and foot exams also are important.
Treatments and drugs Preparing for your appointment
• See Also
• Eye exam
• A1C test
• Microalbumin test
• Creatinine test
• Glucose tolerance test
• A1C test helps diagnose diabetes
• Diabetes diagnosis — Type is not always clear
• Diabetes
References
DS00585
June 13, 2009
© 1998-2010 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.



VIII. Lifestyle and home remedies
By Mayo Clinic staff
Careful management of type 2 diabetes can reduce your risk of serious — even life-threatening — complications. Consider these tips:
1. Make a commitment to managing your diabetes. Learn all you can about type 2 diabetes. Make healthy eating and physical activity part of your daily routine. Establish a relationship with a diabetes educator, and ask your diabetes treatment team for help when you need it.
2. Identify yourself. Wear a tag or bracelet that says you have diabetes. Keep a glucagon kit nearby in case of a low blood sugar emergency — and make sure your friends and loved ones know how to use it.
3. Schedule a yearly physical exam and regular eye exams. Your regular diabetes checkups aren't meant to replace yearly physicals or routine eye exams. During the physical, your doctor will look for any diabetes-related complications, as well as screen for other medical problems. Your eye care specialist will check for signs of retinal damage, cataracts and glaucoma.
4. Keep your immunizations up to date. High blood sugar can weaken your immune system. Get a flu shot every year, and get a tetanus booster shot every 10 years. Your doctor will also likely recommend the pneumonia vaccine.
5. Take care of your teeth. Diabetes may leave you prone to gum infections. Brush your teeth at least twice a day, floss your teeth once a day, and schedule dental exams at least twice a year. Consult your dentist right away if your gums bleed or look red or swollen.
6. Pay attention to your feet. Wash your feet daily in lukewarm water. Dry them gently, especially between the toes, and moisturize with lotion. Check your feet every day for blisters, cuts, sores, redness or swelling. Consult your doctor if you have a sore or other foot problem that isn't healing.
7. Keep your blood pressure and cholesterol under control. Eating healthy foods and exercising regularly can go a long way toward controlling high blood pressure and cholesterol. Medication may be needed, too.
8. If you smoke or use other types of tobacco, ask your doctor to help you quit. Smoking increases your risk of various diabetes complications, including heart attack, stroke, nerve damage and kidney disease. In fact, smokers who have diabetes are three times more likely to die of cardiovascular disease than are nonsmokers who have diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. Talk to your doctor about ways to stop smoking or to stop using other types of tobacco.
9. If you drink alcohol, do so responsibly. Alcohol, as well as drink mixers, can cause either high or low blood sugar, depending on how much you drink and if you eat at the same time. If you choose to drink, do so only in moderation and always with a meal. The recommendation for women is no more than one drink daily, and for for men, no more than two drinks daily.
10. Take stress seriously. If you're stressed, it's easy to abandon your usual diabetes management routine. The hormones your body may produce in response to prolonged stress may prevent insulin from working properly, which only makes matters worse. To take control, set limits. Prioritize your tasks. Learn relaxation techniques. Get plenty of sleep.
Above all, stay positive. Diabetes is a serious disease, but it can be controlled. If you're willing to do your part, you can enjoy an active, healthy life with type 2 diabetes.


IX. Coping and support
By Mayo Clinic staff
Type 2 diabetes is a serious disease, and following your diabetes treatment plan takes round-the-clock commitment. But your efforts are worthwhile because following your treatment plan can reduce your risk of complications.
Talking to a counselor or therapist may help you cope with the lifestyle changes that come with a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. You may find encouragement and understanding in a type 2 diabetes support group. Although support groups aren't for everyone, they can be good sources of information. Group members often know about the latest treatments and tend to share their own experiences or helpful information, such as where to find carbohydrate counts for your favorite takeout restaurant. If you're interested, your doctor may be able to recommend a group in your area.
Or, you can visit the American Diabetes Association to check out local activities and support groups for people with type 2 diabetes. The American Diabetes Association also offers online information and online forums where you can chat with others who have diabetes. The phone number is 800-DIABETES (800-342-2383).
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DS00585
June 13, 2009
© 1998-2010 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
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DS00585
June 13, 2009
© 1998-2010 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical
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DS00585
June 13, 2009
© 1998-2010 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.