Diabetes Medication
For type 2 diabetes it may be that
no medication is required if changes to diet, exercise regimes and
lifestyle allow the body to become self-regulating once again. However, if this is not the case, medication will need to be taken.
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There are five different
types of drug available that all work in slightly different
ways to help the type 2 diabetes sufferer.
The alpha-glucosidase
inhibitors work by affecting the way the body digests
carbohydrates. These drugs are taken with every meal and
actually slow down the digestion process of carbohydrates to
prevent high levels of glucose entering the bloodstream.
They have caused diarrhea in some patients.
Thiazolidinediones
support the work of
insulin at a cellular level. They also inhibit the release
of glucose from the liver and so control glucose levels in
the blood. These drugs are taken with food, although they
are not required to be taken with every meal. Because these
drugs alter the way the liver works it is important that
they are taken under medical supervision and that regular
liver function checks are made. |
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The Biguanide drugs also
act on the liver and work to control glucose levels in the blood
stream by decreasing the amount of glucose released by the
liver. Once again, it is important that liver function is
monitored whilst these drugs are being taken.
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Meglitinides
stimulate the insulin producing cells of the pancreas to
release insulin. These drugs are usually taken immediately
before every meal. There is an increased risk of
hypoglycemia when these drugs are being taken as the
pancreas may be stimulated into producing too much insulin
which may cause blood sugar levels to fall too low.
Sulphonylureas
also stimulate the
pancreas to produce and release more insulin, so once again
hypoglycemia can become a problem.
These drugs are only
available to those with type 2 diabetes and it should be
noted that pill treatments do not always work for everyone.
This type of drug therapy seems to have the best chance of
success with those who have just developed type 2 diabetes
or with those who have only ever needed very small amounts
of insulin to keep their glucose levels within acceptable
limits. |
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Oral medication is not
prescribed to pregnant women and in these cases the diabetic
mum-to-be must control her condition either through changes in
diet or by taking insulin.
It should be noted that taking
diabetes medication does not give the diabetic license to
abandon all dietary controls. It is important to continue to
test glucose levels and to eat a sensible, diabetic friendly,
diet.
Sometimes the drugs are offered
in combinations to enhance their effects e.g. a pancreas
stimulant with a glucose inhibitor. This can be beneficial
provided the side effects do not make the treatment unbearable.
These drugs can only work if the
pancreas is still able to produce insulin. For those who have
type 1 diabetes where their bodies produce no insulin at all,
insulin replacement is required. In addition, insulin
replacement or supplementation becomes necessary when drug
therapy can no longer maintain glucose levels.
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