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Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Treatment

Type 2 diabetes mellitus treatment focuses on maintaining blood glucose levels (BGL) in the normal range through proper diet, exercise and the use of anti-diabetic drugs when needed. Treatment must be specific to the individual's condition, stress and activity levels.

  1. Self-Monitoring

    • Check blood glucose level (BGL) daily, typically before each meal and before going to bed at night. A log of BGL greatly improves the effectiveness of treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus, whether it's a handwritten record, a computer program, a phone app or the blood glucose meter.

    Nutrition

    • Nutrition is one of the two most important forms of treatment. It can reverse or arrest type 2 diabetes mellitus. Carbohydrate control is essential to reaching and maintaining a healthy weight and overall health.

    Exercise

    • Find the form of exercise that is best for you and that you can stay with. A daily 20-minute brisk walk can be effective in lowering BGL.

    Stress Reduction

    • Stress has been shown to aggravate BGL highs and lows. Yoga, meditation, hobbies, pets and any practice or activity that reduces stress is highly recommended to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus.

    Supplements

    • Natural supplements and vitamins can be highly beneficial in stabilizing BGL in type 2 diabetes mellitus, including ginseng, panax quinquefolius, L-Carnitine, chromium and gymnema sylvestre.

    Medications

    • When diet, exercise, stress reduction practices and natural supplements aren't enough to keep BGL in the normal range, the next step is the use of anti-diabetic oral and injectable drugs (insulin). These are all prescription drugs.

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