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A key goal of diabetes treatment is to prevent and retard the complications because, over a period, diabetes can damage the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, and nerves, even without the person being aware of the damage that is taking place. Other goals of diabetes treatment are:

* Relief of symptoms due to diabetes
* Control of high blood glucose (hyperglycaemia)
* Avoidance of low blood glucose (hypoglycaemia), treatment of associated conditions, such as high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol levels and obesity
* Retard the progression of complications of diabetes such as blindness, kidney failure, heart disease and stroke
* Attainment of as near-normal life expectancy as possible.

Diet control and regular exercise are the first steps in the treatment of diabetes. Oral medication is started when 2-3months of diet and exercise are unable to achieve or maintain their optimal blood glucose levels.

Trial of diet and exercise alone should be reserved for patients who do not have any symptoms in spite of high blood glucose levels. However, if patients have any symptoms, oral antidiabetic agents or insulin should be initiated along with diet and exercise.

Steps in the Ideal Management of Diabetes

1. Meal (food) planning
2. Exercise
3. Use of oral hypoglycaemic agents
4. Insulin injections in type 1 diabetics and some cases of type 2 diabetics.
5. Regular monitoring of blood glucose.