Type 2 Diabetes: Recently Diagnosed: Prevention

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Prevention

Because you have type 2 diabetes, you need to take precautions to protect yourself from life-threatening situations and prevent or delay the progression of long-term complications.

Prevent complications

People with diabetes are 2 to 4 times more likely than people who don't have diabetes to die from heart and blood vessel diseases.⁵ If you are age 40 or older, talk to your doctor about taking a low-dose aspirin daily to help prevent heart attack, stroke, or other large blood vessel disease (macrovascular disease). You can reduce your risk further by lowering high blood pressure and high cholesterol. If you smoke, quitting may also lower your risk of diabetes complications.

Exercise helps prevent heart disease. Exercise helps control your blood sugar by using glucose for energy during and after activity. It also helps you maintain a healthy weight; lower high cholesterol; raise high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or "good," cholesterol; and lower high blood pressure. Try to do activities that raise your heart rate. Exercise for at least 30 minutes on most, preferably all, days of the week. The American Diabetes Association suggests that you include resistance exercises in your program.⁶ Resistance exercises can include activities like weight lifting or yard work. See the topic Fitness for ideas on to how add daily activity to your life. Work with your doctor to plan a safe exercise program.

Prevent high blood sugar emergencies

Blood sugar usually rises above a normal or near-normal range slowly, but it can lead to a life-threatening emergency called a hyperosmolar state if it is not treated quickly. Your blood sugar may rise when you are ill, so follow the guidelines for when you are sick to help prevent a high blood sugar emergency.

Prevent low blood sugar emergencies

Low blood sugar is not likely to develop, unless you take insulin or some kinds of oral medicines for type 2 diabetes that can cause low blood sugar as a side effect. If you are at risk for low blood sugar, recognize and treat your symptoms early. Low blood sugar can lead to a life-threatening emergency if it is not treated quickly. Do not drive if your blood sugar level is below 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). Take precautions when you are driving, and be prepared to stop and treat low blood sugar.

Wear medical identification

Wear medical identification at all times. If you are involved in an accident or taken to a hospital, identification lets people know that you have diabetes, so they can care for you appropriately. You can buy medical identification as bracelets, necklaces, or other forms of jewelry at your local pharmacy.

Last updated:	June 16, 2008
Author:	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Reviewed By:	Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine, Matthew I. Kim, MD - Endocrinology & Metabolism
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC