Will I need to take insulin if I have type 2 diabetes? However there are many new drugs available that may delay or prevent the need for insulin therapy. It is expected that fewer and fewer individuals will need insulin replacement to control their blood sugars.
As someone with type 2 diabetes, do I turn into a type 1 diabetic when I take insulin? Taking insulin does not mean that you have type 1 diabetes.
Your type of diabetes is determined by your genetics, not by the type of therapy. If I have type 2 diabetes and take insulin, do I have to take it forever? Not necessarily. If you can lose weight , change your diet , increase your activity level , or change your medications you may be able to reduce or stop insulin therapy.
Often the insulin therapy can be stopped after the event or stress is over. Exercise is very beneficial in the management of type 2 diabetes. Always consult with your doctor about exercise guidelines, to exercise safely and reduce risks.
If I have type 2 diabetes can I stop taking diabetes medications if I eliminate candy and cookies from my diet? If you eliminate concentrated sources of carbohydrates foods that turn into sugar in your blood stream like candy and cookies, you may be able to reduce or eliminate the need for diabetes medications. Everyone with type 2 diabetes will benefit from an improved diet, but you may still need other interventions, such as increased physical activity, weight loss or medications to keep your blood sugars in the target range.
Check with your doctor about any diabetes medication dose adjustments that may be required if you change your diet. Do I need to monitor my blood sugar when I have type 2 diabetes? You may feel fine, but that is no guarantee that your blood sugar levels are in the target range. Remember, diabetic complications do not appear right away. And complications may develop even when the blood sugar is only slightly elevated.
Regular blood sugar monitoring can help you keep your blood sugars in control and prevent serious damage to your eyes, kidneys and nerves. Depending on the severity of diabetes or comorbid conditions, surgery may be an option for someone with a BMI lower than Weight-loss surgery requires a lifelong commitment to lifestyle changes.
Long-term side effects include nutritional deficiencies and osteoporosis. Women with type 2 diabetes will likely need to change their treatment plans and adhere to diets that carefully controls carbohydrate intake.
Many women will need insulin therapy during pregnancy and may need to discontinue other treatments, such as blood pressure medications. There is an increased risk during pregnancy of developing diabetic retinopathy or a worsening of the condition.
If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, visit an ophthalmologist during each trimester of your pregnancy, one year postpartum or as advised. Regularly monitoring your blood sugar levels is important to avoid severe complications.
Also, be aware of signs and symptoms that may suggest irregular blood sugar levels and the need for immediate care:. High blood sugar hyperglycemia.
Eating certain foods or too much food, being sick, or not taking medications at the right time can cause high blood sugar. Signs and symptoms include:. Hyperglycemic hyperosmolar nonketotic syndrome HHNS. HHNS may be more likely if you have an infection, are not taking medicines as prescribed, or take certain steroids or drugs that cause frequent urination.
Diabetic ketoacidosis. Diabetic ketoacidosis occurs when a lack of insulin results in the body breaking down fat for fuel rather than sugar. This results in a buildup of acids called ketones in the bloodstream. Triggers of diabetic ketoacidosis include certain illnesses, pregnancy, trauma and medications — including the diabetes medications called SGLT2 inhibitors.
Although diabetic ketoacidosis is usually less severe in type 2 diabetes, the toxicity of the acids can be life-threatening. In addition to the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia, such as frequent urination and increased thirst, ketoacidosis may result in:. Low blood sugar. If your blood sugar level drops below your target range, it's known as low blood sugar hypoglycemia. Your blood sugar level can drop for many reasons, including skipping a meal, unintentionally taking more medication than usual or being more physical activity than usual.
If you have signs or symptoms of low blood sugar, drink or eat something that will quickly raise your blood sugar level — fruit juice, glucose tablets, hard candy or another source of sugar.
Retest your blood in 15 minutes. If levels are not at your target, repeat the sugar intake. Eat a meal after levels return to normal. If you lose consciousness, you will need to be given an emergency injection of glucagon, a hormone that stimulates the release of sugar into the blood. Explore Mayo Clinic studies testing new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition. Careful management of type 2 diabetes can reduce your risk of serious — even life-threatening — complications.
Consider these tips:. Many alternative medicine treatments claim to help people living with diabetes. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, studies haven't provided enough evidence to recommend any alternative therapies for blood sugar management.
Research has shown the following results about popular supplements for type 2 diabetes:. Talk to your doctor before starting a dietary supplement or natural remedy. Do not replace your prescribed diabetes medication with alternative medicines.
Type 2 diabetes is a serious disease, and following your diabetes treatment plan takes round-the-clock commitment. To meet the demands of diabetes management, you may need a good support network. Anxiety and depression are common in people living with diabetes. Talking to a counselor or therapist may help you cope with the lifestyle changes or stressors that come with a type 2 diabetes diagnosis.
Support groups can be good sources of diabetes education, emotional support, and helpful information, such as how to find local resources or where to find carbohydrate counts for a favorite restaurant.
If you're interested, your health care provider may be able to recommend a group in your area. You can visit the American Diabetes Association website to check out local activities and support groups for people living with type 2 diabetes. The American Diabetes Association also offers online information and online forums where you can chat with others who are living with diabetes.
Keeping your annual wellness visits enables your health care provider to screen for diabetes and to monitor and treat conditions that increase your risk of diabetes — such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol or a high BMI. If you are seeing your health care provider because of symptoms that may be related to diabetes, you can prepare for your appointment by being ready to answer the following questions:.
If you are diagnosed with diabetes, your health care provider will begin a treatment plan. You may be referred to a doctor who specializes in hormonal disorders endocrinologist. Your care team may also include the following specialists:. Talk to your health care provider about referrals to other specialists who will be providing care. Before any appointment with a member of your treatment team, make sure you know whether there are any restrictions, such as fasting before taking a test.
Questions that you should regularly review with your doctor or other members of the team include:. Your provider is likely to ask you a number of questions at regularly scheduled appointments, including:. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission.
This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Self-Testing Work with your team to come up with a blood sugar testing schedule at home. You may be instructed to check your blood sugar three or four times per day during the adjustment period.
Your healthcare team will use information about your fasting, pre-meal, and post-meal blood sugar levels to make changes to your insulin regimen. Hypoglycemia Learn the symptoms of low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia , and what to do if you have them. The warning signs include feeling cold, shaky, dizzy, or confused.
Symptoms can come on suddenly, so patients should know to drink a half-glass of juice, eat some hard candies, or chew some glucose tabs. Treatment Team During the transition, stay in close contact with your treatment team.
People starting insulin are often advised to meet with their health care providers on a weekly basis until blood sugars stabilize and the appropriate insulin dose is determined.
Unfortunately, in those who already have complications, some of the damage is not reversible," said Mazhari. In many cases this can help reduce the number or dose of the diabetic medication the patient is on, including insulin," Mazhari added.
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