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The goal of diabetes treatment is to get your blood sugar normal and keep it there. The solution is not the same for everyone. You have to do whatever it takes to control it.
Your first step after being diagnosed with diabetes is to come to terms with the inevitable life changes you'll have to make. It's natural to go through emotional reactions like denial, anger and depression, but ultimately you'll need to embrace a treatment regimen. When you do, you'll probably feel better and have more energy and you'll reduce the effect of diabetes-related complications.
The first thing most people think about when they hear "diabetes" is insulin shots. While people with Type 1 diabetes don't make insulin and need regular insulin injections, that's not the treatment option needed for most Type 2 diabetes patients whose bodies do make insulin. Common treatments include:
- Lifestyle modification
- Taking oral diabetes medicines
The key is to take responsibility for the day-to-day management of your blood glucose levels. You should:
- Learn all you can about Type 2 diabetes
- Monitor your glucose levels by testing and keeping a log of your numbers
- Schedule regular checkups with your doctor
- Buy and wear a "medic alert" bracelet
- Do your best to stay positive
Self testing is important because it tells you if you're keeping your glucose levels in the correct range. It also helps you learn what makes your blood sugar levels rise and fall so your doctor can fine tune your treatment program. Your doctor will periodically do a blood test called Hemoglobin A1C, which measures your average blood sugar levels over time.
Studies have shown the best way to treat pre-diabetes is through lifestyle change. Lifestyle change is also a major component of treating diabetes. This includes cutting calories, making healthy food choices, and exercising regularly. Your doctor may start by focusing on these aspects of treatment.
If diet, exercise and maintaining a healthy weight aren't enough to control your diabetes, you may need oral medication. These medications can lower blood sugar by:
- Causing the body to release more insulin into the blood stream, or
- Helping the body to use its own insulin more effectively
There are several types of oral diabetes medications. Sometimes combinations of them are used.
| Type of Medication |
What it Does |
Common Brand Names |
| Sulfonylureas (glipizide, glyburide, glimenpiride) |
Helps your body make more insulin |
Dymelor, Diabinese, Glucotrol, DiaBeta, Glynase, Micronase, Amaryl |
| Meglitinides |
Helps your body make more insulin |
Starlix, Prandin |
| Thiazolidinediones (rosiglitazone, pioglitazone hydrochloride) |
Helps your body use insulin better |
Actos, Avandia |
| Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors (acarbose, miglitol) |
Helps your body absorb sugar more slowly to keep your blood sugar lower |
Precose, Glyset |
| Metformin |
Helps your body use insulin better and make less sugar. Also reduces the amount of sugar your body absorbs from food |
Glucophage |
| Drugs combined with Metformin |
|
Glucovance, Metaglip, Avandamet |
Oral medications don't work for everyone. If a combination of lifestyle improvements and these medications don't bring your blood sugar down enough, your doctor may need to add insulin to your treatment plan.
Diabetes-related complications are less common and less severe in people who have well-controlled blood sugar levels. Good control means getting as close to a normal (non-diabetic) blood glucose level as you can.
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