The goal of treatment at first is to lower high blood glucose levels. The long-term goals of treatment are to prevent problems from diabetes.

The main treatment for type 2 diabetes is exercise and diet.

Learn these skills

• You should learn basic diabetes management skills. They will help prevent problems and the need for medical care. These skills include:
• How to test and record your blood glucose
• What to eat and when
• How to take medications, if needed
• How to recognize and treat low and high blood sugar
• How to handle sick days
• Where to buy diabetes supplies and how to store them

It may take several months to learn the basic skills. Always keep learning about diabetes, its complications, and how to control and live with the disease. Stay up-to-date on new research and treatments.