[Newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus--what to look out for]

Abstract

Screening for diabetes makes good sense in particular in patients with overweight, hypertension or dyslipidemia. For type 2 diabetes is often not recognized until sequelae have put in an appearance. Consideration must be given to the possible presence of neuropathy, micro- and macroangiopathy and cardiovascular and cerebral disease. The primary therapy recommendations for type 2 diabetics comprise diet, weight loss and increased exercise. Depending on the success of these measures and the patient's constitution, medication with biguanides, sulfonylureas, glinides, glitazones alpha-glucosidase inhibitors or, where indicated, insulin, is then applied.