What are Diabetes Treatments?

The chronic condition known as diabetes, also referred to as diabetes mellitus, is characterized by the inability of the body to maintain normal levels of glucose in the blood. Insulin resistance or insulin deficiency can cause this, which has the effect of disrupting the body’s ability to regulate the production and storage of energy. The effects of hyperglycemia, also known as high blood sugar, can result in a variety of symptoms and, if they are not properly managed, can cause irreversible damage to a number of organs and systems within the body.

When more than ten percent of the population in the United States is affected by diabetes and the prevalence is steadily increasing, it is absolutely necessary to raise awareness about the treatments that are available.

This article delves into the varied landscape of diabetes treatments, which includes modifications to one’s way of life, medications, and progressive therapies that are specifically designed to meet the specific needs of individuals who have diabetes of varying types and degrees of severity. A fundamental component of effective diabetes management and maintaining overall well-being is having a solid understanding of these treatments.

Diabetes Treatment

It is critical to take your diabetes medications as prescribed by your doctor. Diabetes, if left untreated, can cause serious, even fatal, consequences. Complications can result in the loss of key body functions (such as the kidneys), blindness, the necessity for toe or foot amputation, and even death (particularly from cardiovascular disease). By taking your medications as prescribed, you significantly minimize your risk of developing diabetes complications.

Treatment includes lifestyle adjustments (diet and exercise) as well as medication (if necessary). Diabetes can be managed using oral medications (pills), insulin, and/or other injectable medications. People with type 1 diabetes always require insulin. People with type 2 diabetes typically require oral medications for several, if not many, years before needing insulin to maintain glucose control.

Endocrine Connection

Your treatment will be based on the type of diabetes you have. There are numerous forms of diabetes:

Type 1 diabetes happens when the pancreas quits producing insulin. It is typically found in children and adolescents, but it can occur later in life. People with type 1 diabetes require insulin to survive.

Type 2 diabetes is the most prevalent form of diabetes. With type 2 diabetes, the body does not produce enough insulin and grows resistant to its effects. It is more prevalent in adults, many of whom are overweight or obese. However, younger people can develop type 2 diabetes.

Gestational diabetes is a kind of diabetes that develops only during pregnancy. It typically goes away once the baby is born. Women who have experienced gestational diabetes are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes later in life.

There are numerous types of drugs that may be given to you. The different possibilities may be overwhelming—memorizing all of the names and technical phrases isn’t necessary; what you need to know is that there are options. Consult with your doctor to see which of these may be most beneficial to you.

Type 1 Diabetes Treatment: The Role of Insulin

Insulin regulates blood glucose levels by “unlocking” cells, allowing them to use blood glucose for energy. Without enough insulin, or when your cells have a condition known as insulin resistance, in which they are unable to use the insulin produced by your pancreas efficiently, blood glucose levels rise, causing damage to your arteries and other consequences. Over time, many people require further assistance in maintaining blood glucose levels. This is when doctors usually prescribe insulin.

Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas. It aids in transporting sugar from the blood to the cells. The cells use sugar as energy to power the body’s operations. If you have type 1 diabetes, your body produces little or no insulin. This is why you need to take insulin. Type 2 diabetes (T2D) occurs when your body produces insufficient insulin or fails to properly use the insulin it produces. You must use insulin if you have T1D. If you have type 2 diabetes, you may need to take insulin to help manage your blood sugar levels.

Types of Insulin

The type of insulin you take is determined by three factors: how long it takes to begin acting (onset), when it is at its strongest (peak), and how long it lasts (duration).

Basal Insulins refer to certain kinds of insulin. These last longer and deliver a consistent amount of insulin throughout the day and night. Other varieties include mealtime, rapid, and bolus insulins. These normally last a shorter time but provide insulin to help with blood sugar rises after a meal.

Mealtime (“bolus)

Mealtime (or “bolus”) insulin is used before meals to regulate the rise in blood glucose levels after eating.

• Rapid-acting insulins include insulin glulisine (Apidra), insulin lispro (Humalog), insulin aspart (NovoLog), and inhaled human insulin (Afrezza).
  
• Short-acting: regular (Humulin R, Novolin R).

Background or “basal” Insulin

Controls blood glucose levels between meals and at night. This is often used once or twice daily. It can be taken alone or in conjunction with oral medications or rapid-acting insulins.

• Intermediate-acting: NPH (Humulin N, Novolin N).
  
• Long-acting insulins include detemir (Levemir), glargine (Lantus, Basaglar, Toujeo), and degludec (Tresiba).

Pre-mixed Insulin

This is a combination of bolus and basal insulin that regulates blood glucose levels after and between meals. These are often used twice daily, before breakfast and dinner. They can be used independently or in conjunction with oral medications.

Your doctor will prescribe insulin based on the kind of diabetes you have, your lifestyle (when and what you eat, how much you exercise), your age, and your body’s sensitivity to insulin. It also depends on how frequently you are able or willing to monitor your blood glucose levels and administer injections. People with type 1 diabetes usually require both basal and mealtime insulin. Most persons with type 2 diabetes who use insulin may start with only basal (long-acting) insulin.

Type 2 Diabetes Treatment: Lifestyle Changes

People with type 2 diabetes typically require oral medications for several years or more, although insulin may eventually be required to maintain glucose control. There are numerous types of drugs that may be given to you. The different possibilities may be overwhelming—memorizing all of the names and technical phrases isn’t necessary; what you need to know is that there are options. Consult with your doctor to see which of these may be most beneficial to you.

Maintaining a healthy weight with a good diet and exercise routine is an important element of treating diabetes and general health.

Management of type 2 diabetes includes:

• Healthy eating.
• Regular exercise.
• Weight loss.
• Possibly, diabetes medication or insulin therapy.
• Blood sugar monitoring.

These steps make it more likely that blood sugar will stay in a healthy range. And they may help to delay or prevent complications.

Healthy Eating

Your diabetes diet is just a balanced eating plan designed to help you control your blood sugar. Your diet should include more fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. These are foods high in nutrition and fiber but low in fat and calories. You’ll also cut back on saturated fats, processed carbohydrates, and sweets. In fact, it’s the ideal eating plan for the entire family. Sugary foods are acceptable once in a while. They must be considered as part of your meal plan.

Understanding what and how much to eat might be difficult. A certified dietician can assist you in developing a meal plan that is tailored to your specific health objectives, food preferences, and lifestyle. This will most likely include carbohydrate counting, especially if you have type 1 diabetes or take insulin as part of your therapy.

Physical activity

Exercise is essential for losing or maintaining a healthy weight. It also helps to control blood sugar levels. Before beginning or changing your exercise regimen, consult with your healthcare professional to ensure that the activities are safe for you.

Aerobic exercises: Select an aerobic exercise that you enjoy, such as walking, swimming, cycling, or running. Adults should strive for 30 minutes or more of moderate aerobic exercise on most days of the week, or at least 150 minutes total.

Resistance exercise: Resistance exercise improves your strength, balance, and ability to do daily chores with ease. Resistance training includes weightlifting, yoga, and calisthenics. Adults with type 2 diabetes should strive to do two to three sessions of resistance exercise per week.

Limit your inactivity: Breaking up long periods of inactivity, such as sitting at a computer, can aid with blood sugar regulation. Every 30 minutes, spend a few minutes standing, walking about, or doing some light activity.

Weight loss

Weight loss results in better control of blood sugar levels, cholesterol, triglycerides and blood pressure. If you’re overweight, you may begin to see improvements in these factors after losing as little as 5% of your body weight. However, the more weight you lose, the greater the benefit to your health. In some cases, losing up to 15% of body weight may be recommended.

Your healthcare provider or dietitian can help you set appropriate weight-loss goals and encourage lifestyle changes to help you achieve them.

Gestational Diabetes Treatment

Gestational diabetes is a condition that requires careful management to ensure the health and well-being of both the mother and the developing baby. The major goal of treating gestational diabetes is to maintain blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible, comparable to those of pregnant women without the condition.

Achieving this goal helps to minimize the risk of complications during pregnancy and delivery, as well as long-term health issues for both mother and child.

A comprehensive therapy plan is essential for managing gestational diabetes effectively. This plan often includes several key components that work together to control blood sugar levels and promote overall health. The therapy plan typically involves:

Special Meal Plan:

• A tailored food plan is created by a healthcare practitioner, usually a registered dietitian, to help maintain consistent blood glucose levels.
  
• Focus on balanced nutrition with controlled carbohydrate intake: The meal plan stresses nutrient balance, including monitoring and controlling carbohydrate consumption to avoid blood sugar spikes.
  
• To avoid blood sugar rises, eat smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day.

Scheduled Physical Activity:

• Regular physical activity is essential for keeping blood glucose levels within the therapeutic range.
  
• Activities such as walking, swimming, or prenatal yoga: Low-impact exercises, such as walking, swimming, and prenatal yoga, are safe and useful for pregnant women.
  
• On most days of the week, get at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise. Consistent moderate exercise, ideally for 30 minutes per day on most days of the week, improves insulin sensitivity and blood glucose control.

Daily Blood Glucose Test:

• Blood sugar levels should be monitored several times per day to ensure that they remain within the acceptable range.
  
• A glucose meter is used to assess blood sugar levels at various times of the day, notably before and after meals, in order to understand how food and activity affect glucose levels.
  
• Keep a log to spot patterns and alter treatment as needed. Maintaining a careful history of blood sugar measurements allows healthcare providers to recognize trends and alter treatment plans accordingly.

Insulin injections (if needed):

• Insulin is used to manage blood sugar when diet and exercise are insufficient. If blood sugar levels remain high after dietary adjustments and physical activity, insulin injections may be required to reach the desired glucose levels.
  
• Personalized insulin prescription based on blood glucose levels: Insulin injection dosage and timing are adapted to each person’s specific needs, based on blood glucose levels and overall health.
  
• Regular discussions with healthcare providers to alter insulin dosages: Ongoing consultation with healthcare experts ensures that insulin levels are adjusted accordingly as the pregnancy progresses and needs vary.

Effective gestational diabetes management requires a collaborative approach between the patient and the healthcare team to ensure maternal and fetal health. Regular check-ups, education, and assistance from healthcare practitioners are all essential components of effective treatment.

Disclaimer:  Please note that Discoverybody has taken great care to ensure that all information provided is comprehensive and up-to-date. However, you should not use this article as a substitute for the expertise that a licensed healthcare professional can offer. It’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor before taking any medication.

Sources Expanded:

• Insulin, Medicines, & Other Diabetes Treatments. (2024, April 10). National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/insulin-medicines-treatments
  
• Diabetes – Diagnosis and treatment – Mayo Clinic. (2024, March 27). https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20371451
  
• Uk, D. (n.d.). Diabetes treatments. Diabetes UK. https://www.diabetes.org.uk/diabetes-the-basics/diabetes-treatments
  
• Professional, C. C. M. (n.d.-c). Diabetes. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/7104-diabetes
  
• Society, E. (2023b, January 4). Diabetes Treatments. Endocrine Society. https://www.endocrine.org/patient-engagement/endocrine-library/diabetes-treatments
  
• Diabetes treatment: Medications for type 2 diabetes. (2022, October 29). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/type-2-diabetes/in-depth/diabetes-treatment/art-20051004

Trusted Health, Wellness, and Medical advice for your well-being