Version July 2025
Please read the Disclaimer at the end of this page.
What are discharge instructions? —
Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care for a health problem.
What is type 2 diabetes? —
This is a disorder that disrupts the way the body uses sugar.
All of the cells in the body need sugar to work normally. Sugar gets into cells with the help of a hormone called insulin. Insulin is made by the pancreas, an organ in the belly. If there is not enough insulin, or if cells in the body don't respond normally to insulin, sugar builds up in the blood. That is what happens to people with diabetes.
In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas still makes some insulin, but the cells in the body stop responding normally. You need to make lifestyle changes and probably take medicine to keep your blood sugar in the right range. Over time, having high blood sugar can cause serious problems such as:
●Nerve damage
●Kidney disease
●Vision problems
●Pain or loss of feeling in the hands and feet
●Needing to have fingers, toes, or other body parts removed (amputated)
●Heart disease and strokes
Following your treatment plan will help lower the risk of these problems.
How do I care for myself at home? —
Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure that you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.
You need to:
●Know when and how to take your diabetes medicines – There are a few medicines that help lower blood sugar. You might need to take pills that help your body make more insulin or that help insulin do its job. Or you might need insulin shots.
●Know how to check your blood sugar – Your doctor or nurse will explain how and when to do this. It depends on your diabetes medicines. You might need to check your blood sugar regularly or only at certain times, like if you are sick. Most people use a "blood glucose meter" to test a drop of their blood (figure 1). People who take insulin might use a "continuous glucose monitoring" device (figure 2).
●Take your other medicines as instructed – Some people with diabetes need to take medicines to manage their blood pressure or cholesterol. This helps lower the risk of problems like heart disease or stroke.
●Make healthy lifestyle changes:
•Eat a healthy diet – In general, this means eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat dairy products. Limit or avoid sugary drinks and alcohol. If you take insulin before eating, you need to plan your meals carefully to know how much to take.
•Get regular physical activity – Try to get at least 30 minutes of physical activity a day, most days of the week. Even gentle exercise, like walking, is good for your health.
•Try to lose weight, if you have excess body weight – This is important for managing your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. Changing your diet and exercise habits can help you lose weight. Your doctor or nurse can talk to you about how to do this in a healthy way. In some cases, they might prescribe a medicine that lowers blood sugar and helps you lose weight. In other cases, they might recommend weight loss surgery.
•Avoid smoking – If you smoke, your doctor or nurse can help you quit.
●Take care of your feet – Diabetes can cause nerve damage if your blood sugar is high for a long time. If nerve damage happens in your feet, you might not feel pain. This can lead to problems like injury, infection, and sores.
●Try to prevent infections – People with diabetes have a higher chance of getting certain infections. You can lower your risk by staying away from people who are sick and washing your hands often. It's also important to get the vaccines your doctor recommends. These might include vaccines to prevent the flu, COVID-19, and pneumonia.
●Get support – It can be scary to learn that you have diabetes. But the more you learn about it, the better you can take care of yourself. It can help to involve your family or friends, too. Your doctor or nurse can also recommend support groups or other resources.
What follow-up care do I need? —
You might see a doctor who is an expert in diabetes, called an "endocrinologist." You will also work with a "diabetes educator" who will teach you skills to manage your blood sugar. They will probably want to see you several times a year. Sometimes, you will need more visits to learn how to manage your diabetes or if your blood sugar is not at goal.
Your doctor or nurse might also recommend that you work with a dietitian. This is an expert on food and eating. They can help you plan meals and make sure that you get all of the nutrients your body needs.
When should I call the doctor? —
Call your doctor or nurse for advice if you have:
●Symptoms of low blood sugar – These can include sweating, shaking, hunger, and feeling worried. If you have any of these symptoms, it's important to check your blood sugar right away.
●Symptoms of high blood sugar – These can include intense thirst, feeling very tired, urinating often, weight loss, and blurred vision. If you have any of these symptoms, it's important to check your blood sugar right away.
●Symptoms of infection, like a fever, pain with urinating, or redness or swelling around a cut or scrape
●Problems with your feet – These include new sores, blisters, cracked skin, numbness, or tingling.
●Questions about how to take your medicines
Patient education: Type 2 diabetes (The Basics)
Patient education: Treatment for type 2 diabetes (The Basics)
Patient education: The ABCs of diabetes (The Basics)
Patient education: Using insulin (The Basics)
Patient education: Keeping track of your blood sugar (The Basics)
Patient education: Low blood sugar in people with diabetes (The Basics)
Patient education: Diabetes and diet (The Basics)
Patient education: Foot care for people with diabetes (The Basics)
Patient education: Traveling when you have diabetes (The Basics)
Patient education: Diabetic retinopathy (The Basics)
Patient education: Nerve damage caused by diabetes (The Basics)
Patient education: Kidney disease caused by diabetes (The Basics)
Patient education: Type 2 diabetes: Overview (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Type 2 diabetes: Treatment (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Type 2 diabetes: Insulin treatment (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Exercise and medical care for people with type 2 diabetes (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Glucose monitoring in diabetes (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) in people with diabetes (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Type 2 diabetes and diet (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Foot care for people with diabetes (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Preventing complications from diabetes (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Diabetic neuropathy (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Diabetic kidney disease (Beyond the Basics)
