People with diabetes are 2 to 4 times more likely than people who don't have diabetes to die of heart and blood vessel diseases. 2 If you are 30 or older, talk to your health professional about taking a low-dose, or baby, aspirin daily to help prevent heart attack, stroke, or other large blood vessel disease (macrovascular disease). 2 You can reduce your risk further by lowering high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Treatment for type 2 diabetes includes:
Eating a balanced diet that spreads carbohydrates throughout the day to prevent high blood sugar levels after meals.

Getting regular physical exercise because it helps the body respond better to insulin.

Monitoring blood sugar at home to know when the level is above or below your recommended range.

Taking oral medication, if diet and exercise are not able to keep blood sugar levels within a safe range. You may need one or more medications that help the body produce more insulin or use it properly.

Taking insulin, temporarily or for the rest of their lives. People with type 2 diabetes may need to take insulin temporarily if their blood sugar is high at the time of diagnosis or they are seriously ill, have surgery, become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. You may need insulin for the rest of your life if your pancreas produces very little or no insulin. This can occur over time in people with type 2 diabetes. Insulin may be taken alone or along with oral medications for diabetes and may be given as injections or by using an insulin pump (typically used by people with type 1 diabetes).

Having regular medical checkups to monitor and adjust treatment. Screening tests and examinations need to be done regularly to look for complications from diabetes, such as eye, kidney, cardiovascular, and nerve diseases. Early detection and treatment of complications can help prevent progression of the disease and the development of other complications.

Other important issues
If you have type 2 diabetes, you also need to:
Wear medical identification at all times to let health professionals know in an emergency that you have diabetes.

Treat high blood sugar levels quickly to prevent an emergency. If you take some oral diabetes medications or insulin, you will need to recognize and treat low blood sugar levels quickly to prevent emergencies.

Take extra care of your feet and teeth and gums to prevent problems that may develop because of high blood sugar.

Know how to care for yourself when you are sick.

Home Treatment
The daily routine for treating type 2 diabetes includes:

Eating a balanced diet that spreads carbohydrates throughout the day.
Getting some physical activity.

Checking blood sugar levels to monitor your control and to assess how food and exercise affect your blood sugar; you and your health professional will decide how often to test your blood sugar.

Taking oral medication for type 2 diabetes and insulin, if prescribed.
Drinking enough fluids to avoid dehydration.

Taking a low-dose, or baby, aspirin daily, if advised by your health professional. Taking an aspirin daily may help prevent heart attack, stroke, or other large blood vessel disease.

Other important issues
If you have type 2 diabetes, you also will need to:

Wear medical identification at all times to let health professionals know in an emergency that you have diabetes.

Treat high blood sugar levels quickly to prevent an emergency. If you take some oral diabetes medications or insulin, you will need to recognize and treat low blood sugar levels quickly to prevent emergencies. For more information, see the Treatment Overview section of the topic Type 2 Diabetes: Living With the Disease.

Take extra care of your feet, gums, and teeth to prevent problems that may develop because of high blood sugar.

Know how to care of yourself when you are sick.

Have regular medical checkups to monitor the disease and adjust treatment as needed.