How is type 2 diabetes treated?

When you have type 2 diabetes, the aim of your treatment is that your blood sugar is as close to the normal value as possible.
The more well-regulated your blood sugar is, the less risk there will be of developing diabetic complications.

The basics of your treatment consists of three parts:
Medicine, a healthy diet and regular physical activity.
All three parts affect your blood sugar.
Your doctor will assess with you the best way to combine your treatment.
Your treatment will often change over time.

There are several ways to eat when you have diabetes.
Eat a varied diet and don’t eat too much.
Choose fewer and good-quality carbohydrates.
For example, rough vegetables and whole grain cereals.

You'll have to try out and find out which foods help you keep your blood sugar stable.
If you are overweight, losing weight can make a difference.

Physical activity is important when you have type 2 diabetes.
Exercise and physical activity have a positive effect on both body and mind.
In addition, physical activity also lowers your blood sugar as it increases the sensitivity to insulin.

The Danish Health Authority recommends that you have at least 30 minutes of physical activity per day in addition to your normal everyday activities.
For example, this could be a daily walk.

It is individual when medical treatment needs to be started up.
Most people need medication from the start.
A few will need medication after months or years.

Your doctor can assemble your medical treatment in different ways.
Many people with type 2 diabetes experience that they need different types of medication to achieve the most effective lowering of their blood sugar.
Together with you, your doctor will find the right drug and dosage for you.

You agree with your doctor how often you should have an appointment.
It is important that you are trained to handle your type 2 diabetes in the best possible way.

Ask your caregiver what options you have to receive training about type 2 diabetes.
For example, this can be in your local municipality or in your local health center.
There you will for example learn how to handle high or low blood sugar levels, what is good for you to eat and what changes you need to keep an eye on.

Everyone with diabetes has an individual goal for their treatment.
Among other things, you will formulate a treatment plan for your cholesterol with your caregiver, your blood pressure and long-term blood sugar.

Long-term blood sugar, which we also call hemoglobin A1C, reflects where your blood sugar level has been over the past three months.
It is important that you know the current values for your long-term blood sugar, and that you know the parameter that your values should be within.

If you have questions about your treatment you can contact your doctor or the nurse at the clinic.