For people with type 2 diabetes your doctor will usually prescribe an oral medication to help in controlling your blood glucose level. Of course, along with any diabetes medications you will most likely be making changes in your diet, getting exercise, etc., but this article will focus on the types of diabetic medications that are available. Keep in mind that there are two reasons for anyone to have type 2 diabetes.
1. Their pancreas simply does not produce enough insulin anymore.
2. The cells have become insulin resistant.
Different diabetes medications are used for one of these two categories based on simple blood tests that tell the doctor which category you belong to.
Sulfonylureas
Oral medications such as Amaryl, DiaBeta, Glucotrol, Glynase, Micronase and others are all drugs that help lower blood glucose levels by causing the pancreas to produce and release more insulin.
Biguanides
These types of diabetic medications aid the insulin in moving glucose into different cells. This type of medicine is not for everyone though. If you have kidney problems or a history of heart problems you could be at risk of serious medical issues. Glucophage, Fortament, Glumetza and Riomet are all examples of Biguanides.
Thiazolidnediones
Drugs in this class such as Actos and Avandia work in making your body’s insulin more effective. They block the liver from releasing too much insulin, while making it more effective in muscle and fat.
Although Thiazolidinediones are excellent in type 2 diabetics, your doctor will do periodic blood tests to be sure they are not damaging your liver.
Alpha – Glucosidase Inhibitors
These diabetes medications slow down the increase in blood glucose levels by blocking out enzymes that aid in digesting starches.
A major side effect from these drugs such as Precose and Glyset are gas and diarrhea.
Meglitinides
Meglitinides, including Prandin and Starlix, work by helping the pancreas release additional insulin. This in turn will reduce blood glucose levels.
There are also several different combinations of these medications available that combine two different types into one pill.
This is only a brief overview and only your doctor can help determine the course of treatment that is right for you.
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Diabetes – What you Should Know About Diabetes Medications
Managing You Type 2 Diabetes
Representing more than ninety percent of all cases, type 2 diabetes is the type most frequently diagnosed. Insulin is a hormone that makes energy from sugar and other food we eat. The first stage of diabetes is insulin resistance. When the body ceases to produce or properly use insulin, diabetes develop ourselves. As the body needs insulin increases, the pancreas ceases to be done. Although genetic and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise are believed to be the key, the exact cause is unknown. Type 2 diabetes self-management plans become a necessary controls.
Type 2 diabetes self-management, there are programs that provide training on proper nutrition, exercise regimes, monitoring of glucose, insulin and self-injection and many other subjects. The patient learns to control glucose, modify their diet, exercise regimes develop, how self-injection of insulin, taking oral medication and much more to reduce the risk of complications. Other topics May be addressed as alternative medicine, dental health, emotional and sexual health.
The injection of insulin with oneself is one of the least pleasant of diabetes self management treatment. A good alternative is the insulin pump, a small device worn on the size that supplies insulin around the clock by a catheter implanted under the skin. These are pumps are an excellent choice because they are easy to adjust your blood sugar changes and easy to detach for the shower or strenuous activity.
The American Diabetes Association has estimated that nearly 90 per cent of people with type 2 diabetes are overweight when they are first diagnosed. Essential to good type 2 diabetes self-management plan are diet, exercise and keeping weight under control.
In keeping blood sugar under control is the first line of defense in preventing other problems related to health often associated with type 2 diabetes. Using a glucose monitor blood with blood glucose test strips will provide important information to help you control the disease.
Moderate intake is essential to control type 2 diabetes. A person with the disease can continue to eat their favorite foods if parts are controlled. Ingestion of foods rich in nutrition with lots of vegetables and fruits is necessary. The car had diabetes management programs Dietitians of staff who can help develop a plan that works for each individual.
Exercise is an integral part of type 2 diabetes self-management. In addition you feel better physically and mentally, exercise is essential to manage your weight and reduce your blood sugar. It also reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, common in people with diabetes. In the exercise, the muscles of sugar for energy. This causes a reduction in blood sugar. The workout harder you, the greater the effect lasts. And if you have type 2 diabetes, exercise can increase your sensitivity to insulin which means that your body needs less insulin to transport sugar into cells. Combined with a good diet, could reduce or eliminate completely the need for medication to lower glucose.
Successful implementation of a type 2 diabetes self-management plan is in fact to adapt to a new healthier lifestyle. Other than having to take medication every day, which we all face anyway as we age, which means taking care of ourselves. And should not we do that anyway
