Clinical Guidelines for Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is a condition characterized by abnormally high blood-glucose levels caused by the body's inability to use its insulin supply properly. It differs from type 1 diabetes, in which the body fails to produce insulin normally. Over time, high glucose levels can trigger a number serious complications, including stroke, heart disease, nerve damage, blindness and kidney disease. Fortunately, guidelines are available to prevent or manage type 2 diabetes' harmful effects.

Symptoms and Testing

• According to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC), if you are developing potential signs of type 2 diabetes, your symptoms may include fatigue, increased thirst and hunger, blurred vision, increased urine output that grows worse at night, weight loss and sores that will not heal. If your condition is not revealed until diabetes is actually present, your symptoms may also include the complications listed above. If you are 45 or older, the NDIC suggests that you consider getting tested for diabetes. If you are in this age group and overweight, the NDIC strongly recommends that you get tested.

Prevention

• If your blood-glucose level is higher than normal, but is not yet high enough to warrant a diabetes diagnosis, you may be diagnosed with the condition called pre-diabetes. Such a diagnosis means you are at risk for developing full-blown type 2 diabetes, as well as heart disease. If you have pre-diabetes, you can take a number of steps to keep from developing actual diabetes. Begin by modifying your diet to include foods that are primarily low in fat and calories. Typically, such a diet will contain high amounts of vegetables, fruits and whole grains. To help control your blood glucose (blood sugar), the Mayo Clinic recommends that you eat 14 grams of fiber for every 1,000 calories you consume.

  Regular exercise or physical activity can also lower your chances of developing diabetes. Try to get at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise each day, including activities such as walking, swimming or cycling. If you are overweight, you can help prevent diabetes by losing roughly 5 to 10 percent of your current body weight.

Disease Management

• If you already have type 2 diabetes, medically speaking you cannot return to a non-diabetic state. However, you can take steps to control your condition and keep it from worsening. Monitoring your blood sugar regularly is an important part of your treatment. Several types of devices will allow you to achieve this goal, and your doctor will show you how to use them properly. Depending on your needs, you may check your blood-sugar levels once or more daily or several times a week.

  In addition to following guidelines for glucose monitoring, healthy eating and exercise, you may also require injections of insulin to properly regulate your blood sugar and avoid diabetes complications. In addition, you will need to monitor the effects of certain potential stresses on your health, including use of medications, illness and alcohol use. Consult your doctor and a nutritionist for more information on diabetes prevention and treatment.