The oral medications stimulate the pancreas to make more insulin or help the cells in the body use insulin and glucose more effectively. Treating the underlying condition or stopping a certain medication may correct secondary diabetes caused by another medical condition. If this is not possible, diet, exercise, and pills or injections are used to control the blood sugar. Careful monitoring and management help keep diabetes under control and reduce the risk of long-term effects. For example, a person with diabetes may need to see eye, heart, foot, hormone, and circulation specialists.
Dieticians also help people with diabetes by designing an eating plan.
Dieticians can suggest appropriate calorie intake levels and types of foods to eat. Side effects depend on treatments used for diabetes. If a person has too much insulin in his or her body, the blood glucose levels can drop too low. This condition, called hypoglycemia , can cause nervousness, shakiness, and confusion . The usual treatment for low blood sugar is to eat or drink a sweet beverage or food.