Lifestyle management for type 2 diabetes includes eating a balanced diet low in sugar and refined carbohydrates, engaging in at least 30 minutes of daily physical activity such as brisk walking, and maintaining a healthy body weight. Regular blood glucose monitoring, adequate sleep, stress reduction, and avoiding smoking or excess alcohol further help in long-term diabetes control.

Excessive thirst in type 2 diabetes (polydipsia) is usually a sign of persistently high blood sugar. When glucose levels rise, the kidneys remove excess sugar through urine, which leads to dehydration and increased thirst. If this continues without control, it can progress to a serious complication called hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS), which requires urgent medical care.

Recent advances in type 1 diabetes (T1D) research focus on both delaying disease onset and developing potential long-term cures. Teplizumab, an immunotherapy drug, has been approved to delay the progression to symptomatic T1D by up to five years in high-risk individuals. Researchers have also successfully implanted gene-edited insulin-producing cells that can evade the immune system, enabling the body to produce insulin without the need for long-term immunosuppressive medication. Additionally, newer continuous glucose monitoring devices and automated insulin delivery (AID) systems have greatly improved blood sugar control in both children and adults living with T1D.

Excessive thirst in type 2 diabetes (polydipsia) is usually a sign of persistently high blood sugar. When glucose levels rise, the kidneys remove excess sugar through urine, which leads to dehydration and increased thirst. If this continues without control, it can progress to a serious complication called hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS), which requires urgent medical care.

While certain Ayurvedic medicines may help control blood sugar and relieve symptoms, relying on them alone for type 2 diabetes is not medically advised. Proper diabetes care requires a combination of a healthy diet, regular physical activity, and standard oral hypoglycemic medications to prevent long-term complications. Ayurveda may be used as a supportive therapy, but only under the guidance of both an endocrinologist and a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner.

Type 2 diabetes significantly increases the risk of developing ischemic heart disease. Persistently high blood sugar damages blood vessels and nerves, accelerating atherosclerosis (the narrowing and hardening of arteries). This causes plaque buildup, which can restrict blood flow to the heart and lead to angina (chest pain) or even a heart attack. Proper control of blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol is essential to lower this cardiovascular risk.