How to Treat Diabetes

Treatment of diabetes has improved considerably during the past few decades, especially in terms of self glucose monitoring. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), good glucose control reduces the complications of diabetes by about 60 percent.
About 12 percent of people with type 2 diabetes control their diabetes with diet and exercise alone, says Dr. Keith Campbell, associate dean and professor at Washington State University College of Pharmacy and a Certified Diabetes Educator. About 48 percent use oral medicine, and 40 percent use insulin, sometimes together with oral medicine.
Your diabetes treatment and management strategy should be agreed between you and your health care team.
The aim of diabetes treatment is to keep, within reason, blood glucose levels as near to normal as possible.
Training in self management of diabetes forms an essential part of diabetes management.
Treatment should be agreed on an individual basis and address medical, pychosocial and lifestyle issues.
Monitor your blood sugar regularly. Adjustments in diet, medication and exercise can be made accordingly.
Stick to the monitoring protocol prescribed by your doctor. Generally, blood is monitored before meals and at bedtime.