Find a Diabetes Treatment Plan That Works for You

A diabetes diagnosis is overwhelming, but here’s what you can do to stick to a treatment plan that fits your lifestyle.

By Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD and Dr. Michael Roizen, MD

From extreme fatigue to an upset stomach, the list of side effects of medications jammed in at the end of drug commercials can be overwhelming. And it might be why many people aren’t refilling their prescriptions. According to a review in the journal Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, a third of prescriptions for metformin aren’t filled. Researchers believe that the drug’s side effects, like gut problems, or frequent dosages are discouraging people from sticking to their medication.

If you’re skipping your prescribed diabetes medications—or know someone who is—work with your doctor or talk to them about finding an alternative treatment plan that sticks. There are lots of options, with more available every year.

Taking your prescribed diabetes medication is crucial to help prevent complications like eye, nerve, heart and kidney disease. And lifestyle upgrades are also crucial: exercising daily—10,000 steps—and avoiding the five food felons of added sugars and syrups, processed grains, sat and trans fats. You deserve better health and you have the power to make sure you get it.

Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus (MEL-ih-tus), often referred to as diabetes, is characterized by high blood glucose (sugar) levels that result from the body’s inability to produce enough insulin and/or effectively utilize the insulin. Diabetes ...

is a serious, life-long condition and the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. Diabetes is a disorder of metabolism (the body's way of digesting food and converting it into energy). There are three forms of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that accounts for five- to 10-percent of all diagnosed cases of diabetes. Type 2 diabetes may account for 90- to 95-percent of all diagnosed cases. The third type of diabetes occurs in pregnancy and is referred to as gestational diabetes. Left untreated, gestational diabetes can cause health issues for pregnant women and their babies. People with diabetes can take preventive steps to control this disease and decrease the risk of further complications.

Learn more about Diabetes