Treatment with medications is different for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

Treating Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes involves:

• Taking insulin injections so that your body can regulate and use sugar.

• Regular monitoring of your blood sugar levels. Home blood-glucose monitor kits that analyze a single drop of blood are very convenient.
• The HbA1c test, which measures a molecule in your blood. Your doctors will do this test every two or three months to see how you're managing your blood sugar levels.
• Following your doctor's advice about regulating your diet and getting appropriate exercise.

Insulin therapy is based on how much insulin your pancreas may be making and how sensitive you are to it. The idea is to imitate the flow of insulin from a normal pancreas so that your blood sugar can be kept close to normal around the clock. Lifestyle, exercise and eating patterns also affect this flow.

You should also be aware of how to deal with dangerously low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). It can cause dizziness, sweatiness, heart palpitations, or fainting. If left untreated, you could suffer a seizure or go into a coma. Raise your blood sugar levels immediately by drinking orange juice or non-diet pop, eating sweets or taking glucose tablets. Never delay: it could be deadly.

Helping Type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes involves:

• Blood glucose testing
• HbA1c testing
• Oral diabetes medications
• In some cases, insulin injections
• Diet
• Weight control and exercise

If you have Type 2 diabetes, your doctor may prescribe medicines you take by mouth. This depends on how severe your diabetes is. There are many kinds of oral diabetes medications. All work differently, but each lowers blood glucose. Ask your doctor which medication or combination of medications is right for you.

Eating right is especially important in Type 2 diabetes, which can sometimes be controlled just by watching your diet. If your sugar levels haven't improved six months after changing your diet, your doctor may recommend an oral medication Most diets involve watching your intake of carbohydrates and the different sugars in foods.