Can Medications Help Control My Diabetes?

The most important factor in preventing and treating diabetes is a healthy diet and lifestyle. Healthy habits like diabetes-friendly menus, exercising regularly and avoiding harmful habits like smoking and drinking can also reduce the number of complications associated with diabetes.

For some people, however, these changes are not enough to control insulin and blood sugar levels to the point of maintaining good health. In these cases, diabetes medications are used to control the effects of diabetes on the body.

Types of Diabetes and Medication Choices

There are three main types of diabetes - Type 1, Type 2 and Gestational. Each form of diabetes carries a different set of commonly used medications. Type 1 diabetes requires the use of insulin because the body does not produce it. Type 2 diabetes is non-insulin dependent. Medications can be used to control the illness, but insulin is not always needed. Gestational diabetes is treated with diet and exercise first. If blood sugar levels are not controlled with these changes, the doctor may prescribe medications.

Blood Sugar Control

The most widely used diabetes medication controls blood sugar levels in the body. These medications are referred to as antiperson with diabetes. Common antiperson with diabetes include insulin, melitinides, thiazolidinediones and sulfonylureas. person with diabetes often take one or more of these medications to keep blood sugar levels within a normal range.

Blood Pressure Control

A healthy blood pressure reading is 130/80 mmHg. person with diabetes patients with blood pressure readings at or below this number are within the sage zone regarding blood pressure control and should not need additional medication. If blood pressure levels are higher, however, serious health risks could evolve so many physicians will prescribe medications to lower the reading. Diuretics, calcium channel blockers and angiotensin receptor blockers are three common types of medications to lower blood pressure in person with diabetes.

Daily Aspirin

Patients with diabetes are often as higher risk of cardiovascular disease and illness. The health prognosis after a heart attack or stroke is often better when the patient is taking a low daily dose of aspirin. While the aspirin does not affect the diabetes, it can be used as a precautionary tactic in many cases.

Cholesterol Control

Along the same cardiovascular lines, cholesterol control is essential to a healthy heart. In patients who are predetermined to be at higher risk, doctors may choose to prescribe medications to maintain cholesterol levels within a healthy range. Changes in diet and exercise can also affect good and bad cholesterol levels.

Alternative Medications

Some patients with diabetes may feel they can control their blood sugar and insulin levels with natural, alternative medications. This is at the sole discretion of the patient, but a doctor's care should always be sought in case the alternative treatments are not a viable solution. Bitter melon, gymnema sylvestre, onion and garlic all claim to have a positive effect on diabetes control. Herbal supplements should never be taken in addition to prescription medications without the guidance of a physician as some herbs interfere with the effectiveness of prescription medications.

Beverly Mullin is Dietitian and Health Coach, she has done Masters Degree in Public Health. She is providing information of medications for diabetes person.

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New Diabetes Treatments

Many doctors and research call the rise in diabetes cases an epidemic of the world. Constant research is being performed to seek out new persons with diabetes' treatments to control blood sugar and reduce the health related side effects associated with the condition. Medications and alternative treatments are seeing the most progress.

Pramlintide Acetate

A new medication on the market for person with diabetes is pramlintide acetate. This medication is administered at meal time and is used to maintain healthy blood glucose levels by preventing the spikes that often occur after eating. The medication tends to be stronger than other blood sugar control options which mean less medication and more effect. The use of pramlintide acetate is associated with nausea so medication strength is increased very gently. Diabetes patients also reporting losing weight while taking the new diabetes treatment. Pramlintide acetate comes in a pre-filled pen injector.

Exenatide

Another pre-filled injection medication, exenatide is one of the most interesting medications to hit the person with diabetes market. The source of the medication is the saliva of the Gila monster. Only Type 2 person with diabetes are approved to use exenatide. The medication is used to improve the body's natural ability to produce and excrete insulin. Decreased appetite may be associated with exenatide though the manufacturer is adamant that exenatide is not a weight loss product.

Saxagliptin

An oral medication recently approved by the FDA is saxagliptin. This medications works to control blood glucose levels after meals. The medication is approved for Type 2 person with diabetes only and can be combined with other person with diabetes medications or used as a standalone therapy.

The Combo Diabetes Medications

Several medication combination have been created for patients who need to take more than one prescription to control their diabetes. The most common combination include metformin and another prescription diabetes treatment. Metformin is often suggested as the first medication to be prescribed to a newly diagnosed person with diabetes.

Anti-Inflammatory

Recent studies suggest that diabetes, an auto-immune disease, is caused by inflammation in the body. Much of that inflammation was thought to be linked to obesity, but not every patient with Type 2 diabetes is overweight or obese. Other forms of inflammation in the body are now thought to be extenuating factors in the development of Type 2 diabetes. Patients are turning to natural anti-inflammatories to reduce free radical damage to the cells which can cause inflammation.

Under the Skin Blood Glucose Sensors

Small sensors implanted under the skin can communicate current blood glucose levels with a small, hand held device. The device must be kept within a short distance of the implant, but the patient is no longer required to prick every hour or every meal to obtain current blood glucose levels. In some cases, the sensor can communicate with another new diabetes treatment device, the insulin pump.

Insulin Pump

An insulin pump is either attached to the body with an inserted cannula or a skin patch that transmits insulin to the body. The insulin pump is battery powered and programmable. Depending on the activity level, the pump constantly delivers insulin to the body. It acts, almost, like an artificial pancreas on the outside of the body. Some newer pump models can communicate with the blood glucose sensor. The insulin levels will not be adjusted, but the pump will beep if the blood glucose is measured outside of the programmed range of acceptance.

Beverly Mullin is Dietitian and Health Coach, she has done Masters Degree in Public Health. She is providing information for new diabetic treatments.

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Ways to Treat Diabetes

Today, diabetes is becoming more common due to the rising number of people who are obese and inactive. Diabetes puts people at a high risk for cardiovascular disease including heart attack and stroke. person with diabetes are also at risk of going blind, have slow wound healing, and may have life threatening glucose or insulin levels. At one time, people diagnosed with type 1 diabetes were not expected to live very long. Thankfully, today there are many effective ways to treat all forms of diabetes.

Insulin

People with type 1 diabetes do not produce their own insulin, or they don't make enough to stay alive. Therefore one of the ways to treat diabetes for these people is with daily insulin injections. In some patients today, daily insulin is given through an implanted pump which takes over the function of the pancreas. Insulin may also be used to treat people with type 2 diabetes when other treatments fail. While some people with type 2 diabetes may be able to wean themselves from taking insulin, the type 1 person with diabetes must take it daily for life as insulin is not a cure, but a way to manage the disease.

Diet

In addition to insulin, type 1 person with diabetes must also closely regulate their diet and activities to keep their insulin level constant. This requires frequent blood sugar checks throughout the day as well as several blood glucose test done at a doctor's office each year. People with type 2 diabetes may be able to reverse their disease or slow its progression through the use of diet alone.

A proper diet for person with diabetes includes avoiding foods like simple carbohydrates that provide a spike in blood sugar. Instead, they should eat foods that are digested slowly and release a steady stream of nutrients so their glucose and insulin levels stay steady throughout the day. This includes eating food like complex carbohydrates and sufficient protein. Good foods to eat are fish, whole grains, non-starchy vegetables, and beans.

Physical Activity

Daily exercise is another of the important ways to treat diabetes. Inactivity has been linked to the development of type 2 diabetes. Doctors recommend person with diabetes get at least 30 minutes of sustained moderate activity every day. This could include walking, dancing, aerobics or swimming.

Medication

Sometimes, medication is prescribed to treat diabetes. These medications include thiazolidinediones, meglitinides, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, sulfonylurea drugs, and biguanides. These drugs are only used in people with type 2 diabetes or women with gestational diabetes. They are not effective in the treatment of type 1 diabetes. They act to make the body sensitive to insulin, stimulate insulin production, slow starch absorption, or decrease sugar production in the liver.

Checkups

When considering ways to treat diabetes, one should also think about regular checkups to keep tabs on the progression of the disease. This includes having regular eye and dental examinations as well as foot checks. The reason for this is that person with diabetes usually have poor circulation due to the cardiovascular component of their disease. This can lead to foot problems that can escalate to the point where amputation is necessary. By catching changes in vision and foot or dental problems early, the doctor is able to adjust the treatments prescribed in order to slow the progression of diabetes.

Beverly Mullin is Dietitian and Health Coach, she has done Masters Degree in Public Health. She is providing information of treatments for diabetes.

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Diabetes Home Remedies - Control Your Diabetes With Natural Treatments

A number of diabetes home remedies have grown in prominence over the years. Unfortunately, because of the modern, unhealthy lifestyle (poor eating habits to lack of physical activity) most of us are living the number of people getting diagnosed with diabetes is constantly increasing. A growing number of people are getting afflicted with this disease because of an abundance of sugar in the food we eat. Moreover, excess sugar and carbohydrates are not converted to energy because most people do not exercise.

But with the increase of diabetics over the years, fortunately, the options for treatments and remedies have widened as well. Diabetes home remedies have become the treatment of choice for patients who want to take advantage of alternatives that are safer for the body and more reasonably priced to the budget. With the practicality and affordability of these home cures, it should come as no surprise that more and more people have jumped on to the bandwagon and got this disease under control through natural means.

Home remedies for this condition normally include methods to lower or control the blood sugar levels. One such method is by taking mango or blueberry leaves. You may soak them in water overnight and drink the solution. You may also powder the dried leaves and mix one teaspoon of the powdered leaves in 1 glass of water and drink. Patients who may want to try a more exotic method could try a mixture of turmeric, fenugreek and amalaki. With honey, this mixture could be very tangy and can be taken three times per day. After two months, a patient should be able to notice his or her blood sugar levels stabilizing.

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Type 2 Diabetes Treatments - Natural Control Methods

Any doctor who you will ask about type 2 diabetes treatments will assure you of one thing: proper diet and exercise are necessary components that any diabetic patient should commit himself or herself to. For one, you need to make sure that your blood sugar is always stable by checking it at least once a day. It is only through conscientious monitoring that you can rest assured that your level of blood sugar is within the target range. Your blood sugar level may be affected by other factors other than just having scheduled meals, as most people think.

As a diabetic, you need to make sure that this level is not high or low -it should always be at a certain level. If you exercise it will be considerably decreased, so you need to compensate this by eating. If you are sick or taking other medications, if you are drinking alcohol or are under a lot of stress, you should also take note that your these levels will get affected. Thus, blood sugar monitoring is of the utmost importance.

Type 2 diabetes treatments should include a healthy dose of exercise, something which your doctor should approve of. If you have eaten a large meal, walk it off to balance your blood sugar level. Being diabetic should make you more aware that your body needs to maintain a balance. That balance is something you yourself must maintain, no one can do it for you. If you maintain that balance, there are slimmer chances that the weakening symptoms of diabetes would really have an effect on you.

Natural Diabetes Reversal Method! Stop Wasting Money on Expensive Products, Treat Your Diabetes The Natural Way! http://www.natural-diabetes-treatment.org Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michelle_Parkin