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Type 2 diabetes symptoms are not always obvious. Because they can be attributed to a range of other medical conditions, it can often go undiagnosed. If type 2 diabetes is not diagnosed or managed, it can have serious health consequences.

Living with diabetes can be challenging, but the good news is you can effectively manage your type 2 diabetes with the right information and guidance.

What is type 2 diabetes?

The symptoms of type 2 diabetes are not always obvious and can be mistaken for other conditions or even missed.

A few signs to watch out for:

• Feeling tired all the time
• Going to the toilet a lot more often
• Feeling thirsty
• Blurred vision
• Numbness or pain in your hands or feet
• Cuts or wounds that heal slowly.

If you have one or more of these symptoms, ask your GP about getting a diabetes test.

A type 2 diabetes diagnosis means your pancreas is not working as effectively as it needs to. Your body is building insulin resistance and is unable to effectively convert glucose into energy, leaving too much glucose in your blood.

The good news? There’s something you can do today to look after your health.

Modify your lifestyle

Type 2 diabetes can often be managed through lifestyle modifications. Taking these steps can help:

• Eat well to manage your blood glucose levels (BGLs) and your body weight.
• Exercise regularly to regulate insulin in your body, lower your blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease.
• Monitor your BGLs with regular tests to check if your treatment is working well or needs to be adjusted.

Keeping your BGLs as close as possible to your target range, will help to prevent diabetes complications.

Your GP, Credentialled Diabetes Educator (CDE) or other diabetes health professionals can advise you on your target blood glucose range and provide advice on how you can maintain it.

Get the treatment you need

Your healthcare team can prescribe a treatment suited to your condition. This may be a combination of healthy diet, regular physical activity and medication.

Taking medication

Rest assured that taking medication when required can result in fewer complications in the long-term. However, keep in mind that your tablets or insulin injections should be taken with healthy eating and regular physical activity. Your medication should never be a substitute for a healthy lifestyle.
Find out more about medications for type 2 diabetes.

Learn how to live well with Type 2 diabetes

There are many resources available to help you manage your diabetes care. These resources are easy to access, free and available now.

• Your annual cycle of care
• Blood glucose monitoring
• Healthy diet for diabetes

Check out our diabetes resources or find a diabetes program or event.