There are several treatment options for diabetes; the option chosen depends on the type of diabetes and its degree of seriousness, and on the diabetic's age.
For instance, gestational diabetes which can affect pregnant women, usually during the third trimester, generally disappears after delivery. Depending on its severity, gestational diabetes may be treated with only with diet or with mild medication; in a mild case, the physician may simply monitor it with no treatment. By contrast, Type 1 diabetes is presently incurable and usually needs lifelong insulin treatment.
There are many other forms of treatment, most of them based on self-care.
More extensive treatments may involve drugs other than insulin.
One such advanced option, the Sulfonylureas (like Micronase and Glucotrol) aid the body's insulin production. This medicine is useful for Type 1 diabetics, since they produce inadequate insulin. Type 2 diabetes is characterized by inefficient insulin use; Biguanides (like Glucophage) help the body use insulin more efficiently.
Other drugs work on glucose levels. Meglitinides (such as Prandin) help control the blood sugar level after eating. Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors (like Precose) slow down the absorption of sugars in the digestive tract.
Every treatment option must be accompanied by careful monitoring of the blood glucose levels. This is important so that the patient and his or her health care provider can concentrate on finding the right treatment regimen.
Some cases of diabetes, especially Type 2, can be controlled through proper exercise and diet, without medication. Elevated glucose levels stemming from pre-diabetes, rather then full-blown diabetes are especially responsive to diet and exercise.
Obesity and Type 2 diabetes are strongly correlated. People with excess fat primarily in the middle are especially at risk for diabetes. These people may be able to control their disease without drugs simply by losing enough weight or they may be able to go off diabetes medication once they have lost the weight.
Adjusting the lifestyle to lose weight has other benefits. The risk of cardiovascular problems such as stroke and heart attack is reduced by adjusting alcohol intake, controlling carbohydrate intake, and making other dietary adjustments.
Physical exercise lowers blood sugar levels, having a direct effect on the condition. But exercise also helps the body's immune system along with having other positive benefits. That helps reduce the odds of subsidiary problems produced by diabetes. Stress, in particular, can produce changes that affect how hormones, including insulin, are used by the body. Exercise and an overall attitude adjustment can bring that under control.
If insulin is needed it may be delivered by a method other than injections. Insulin is now being widely-taken in oral form. The FDA has recently approved inhaled insulin. Insulin pumps which automatically monitor glucose and dispense insulin accordingly, are useful for some diabetics.
The only way to know which treatment is best in a given circumstance is to be tested and diagnosed by a physician. Seek early diagnosis and treatment if you suspect you may have diabetes. That will provide the most, and the least objectionable, options for long term care.
For instance, gestational diabetes which can affect pregnant women, usually during the third trimester, generally disappears after delivery. Depending on its severity, gestational diabetes may be treated with only with diet or with mild medication; in a mild case, the physician may simply monitor it with no treatment. By contrast, Type 1 diabetes is presently incurable and usually needs lifelong insulin treatment.
There are many other forms of treatment, most of them based on self-care.
More extensive treatments may involve drugs other than insulin.
One such advanced option, the Sulfonylureas (like Micronase and Glucotrol) aid the body's insulin production. This medicine is useful for Type 1 diabetics, since they produce inadequate insulin. Type 2 diabetes is characterized by inefficient insulin use; Biguanides (like Glucophage) help the body use insulin more efficiently.
Other drugs work on glucose levels. Meglitinides (such as Prandin) help control the blood sugar level after eating. Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors (like Precose) slow down the absorption of sugars in the digestive tract.
Every treatment option must be accompanied by careful monitoring of the blood glucose levels. This is important so that the patient and his or her health care provider can concentrate on finding the right treatment regimen.
Some cases of diabetes, especially Type 2, can be controlled through proper exercise and diet, without medication. Elevated glucose levels stemming from pre-diabetes, rather then full-blown diabetes are especially responsive to diet and exercise.
Obesity and Type 2 diabetes are strongly correlated. People with excess fat primarily in the middle are especially at risk for diabetes. These people may be able to control their disease without drugs simply by losing enough weight or they may be able to go off diabetes medication once they have lost the weight.
Adjusting the lifestyle to lose weight has other benefits. The risk of cardiovascular problems such as stroke and heart attack is reduced by adjusting alcohol intake, controlling carbohydrate intake, and making other dietary adjustments.
Physical exercise lowers blood sugar levels, having a direct effect on the condition. But exercise also helps the body's immune system along with having other positive benefits. That helps reduce the odds of subsidiary problems produced by diabetes. Stress, in particular, can produce changes that affect how hormones, including insulin, are used by the body. Exercise and an overall attitude adjustment can bring that under control.
If insulin is needed it may be delivered by a method other than injections. Insulin is now being widely-taken in oral form. The FDA has recently approved inhaled insulin. Insulin pumps which automatically monitor glucose and dispense insulin accordingly, are useful for some diabetics.
The only way to know which treatment is best in a given circumstance is to be tested and diagnosed by a physician. Seek early diagnosis and treatment if you suspect you may have diabetes. That will provide the most, and the least objectionable, options for long term care.
About the Author:
Julia Hanf author of the book How To Play the Diabetes Diet Game and Win Through a real life crisis Julia figured out how to live diabetes free. Visit http://www.yourdiabetescure.com and learn more about your solution for diabetes.
Posts
0 comments:
Post a Comment