This invention relates to methods of treating or preventing type 2 diabetes, diabetic neuropathy, diabetic cardiomyopathy, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, foot ulcers, diabetic microangiopathy, diabetic macroangiopathy, diabetic ischemia reperfusion injury, diabetic cardiac ischemia reperfusion injury and/or insulin resistance syndrome (IRS) in mammals, particularly in humans, by administering a sodium-hydrogen exchanger type 1 (NHE-1) inhibitor or a pharmaceutical composition containing such an inhibitor. This invention also relates to combinations comprising NHE-1 inhibitors and a second pharmaceutical agent, said combinations being useful in treating type 2 diabetes, IRS, diabetic neuropathy, diabetic cardiomyopathy, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, foot ulcers, diabetic ischemia reperfusion injury, diabetic cardiac ischemia reperfusion injury, diabetic microangiopathy and/or diabetic macroangiopathy.