The goal of treatment is to keep your blood sugar level as close to normal as you can. Good blood sugar control is critical to reducing the risk of other serious health problems. Changing your eating habits and being more active are very important steps, but healthy eating and physical activity alone may not be enough to lower blood sugar. Many people with type 2 diabetes may also need one or more medicines. Some medicines work together in different ways to control blood sugar.

Track how well your diabetes plan is working by monitoring your blood sugar regularly. Sometimes lifestyle or medicine changes need to be made. Blood sugar monitoring should be done with a blood glucose meter and by an A1C test. For most people, a good A1C number is 6.5 percent or less.

Reaching the A1C target is important, because every one percent increase above six percent significantly raises a person's risk of serious health problems.

Good health begins with your personal plan to manage diabetes. It can be hard work; but with support, information, and the help of your doctor, you can do it!