Prevention

Prevent complications

You can prevent or delay complications of type 2 diabetes by controlling your blood sugar levels. And it's just as important to keep high blood pressure and high cholesterol under control.

Managing your blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure can help prevent other health problems with your eyes, kidneys, and heart.

To keep blood sugar at your target range and avoid complications:

• Make healthy food choices.
• Be active.
• Test your blood sugar levels.
• Take medicines, such as metformin (Glucophage) or insulin, if you need them.
• Don't smoke.

To manage your blood pressure and cholesterol, eat a heart-healthy diet, get active, and take medicines if you need them.

Prevent blood sugar emergencies

It's also important to avoid high and low blood sugar problems that can lead to medical emergencies.

• High blood sugar.Ahyperosmolar state is life-threatening and can occur when your blood sugar level is very high (400 to 500 mg/dL or higher) and you get dehydrated. You are more likely to have this problem if your blood sugar stays above 200 mg/dL. 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.
• Low blood sugar.It's unlikely that you will have low blood sugar unless you take insulin or some kinds of oral medicines for type 2 diabetes that can cause it. But if you are at risk for low blood sugar, know your symptoms and how to treat them. Low blood sugar can lead to a life-threatening emergency if it is not treated quickly. Don't drive if your blood sugar level is below 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). Take precautions when you are driving.

For more help controlling your blood sugar and avoiding complications of diabetes, see the Home Treatment section of this topic.