Those diabetics who keep their blood sugar under control, through diet and medicine carrying a low risk of causing hypoglycaemia, should not be routinely required to self-monitor their blood sugar every day. In fact, there is no proof of significant benefit from the daily self-monitoring of those with type 2 diabetes. Actually, according to some writers, it becomes a source of great anxiety and therefore unnecessarily harms the patient. Daily self- monitoring of blood sugar is important, however, in managing type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Advice from Altroconsumo

- There is strong consensus at the international level that proper nutrition and consistent physical exercise are the first, indispensable approaches both in preventing and curing type 2 diabetes.
- Proper diet and regular physical exercise, especially at the onset of the illness, can bring blood sugar levels to normal values without the use of medicine.
- There are key medical examinations that should be taken in order to keep type 2 diabetes in check:
* at least once a year, there should be a check of the HbA1c (glycated haemoglobin level) and an electrocardiogram;
* the level of creatinine in the blood, as well as the possible presence of microalbuminuria (traces of albumin in the urine), should also be checked annually. It is further necessary to undergo a careful examination of the foot to prevent a “diabetic foot”;
* every two years it is important to see an eye doctor due to the risk of retinal disease.

In collaboration with

AMD - The Italian Association of Medical Diabetologists