 Treatment
with medications is different for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
Treating Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes involves:
- Taking insulin injections so that your body can regulate
and use sugar.
- Regular monitoring of your blood sugar levels. Home blood-glucose
monitor kits that analyze a single drop of blood are very
convenient.
- The HbA1c test, which measures a molecule in your blood.
Your doctors will do this test every two or three months to
see how you're managing your blood sugar levels.
- Following your doctor's advice about regulating your diet
and getting appropriate exercise.
Insulin therapy is based on how much insulin your pancreas
may be making and how sensitive you are to it. The idea is to
imitate the flow of insulin from a normal pancreas so that your
blood sugar can be kept close to normal around the clock. Lifestyle,
exercise and eating patterns also affect this flow.
You should also be aware of how to deal with dangerously low
blood sugar (hypoglycemia). It can cause dizziness, sweatiness,
heart palpitations, or fainting. If left untreated, you could
suffer a seizure or go into a coma. Raise your blood sugar levels
immediately by drinking orange juice or non-diet pop, eating
sweets or taking glucose tablets. Never delay: it could be deadly.
Helping Type 2 (non-insulin-dependent) diabetes involves:
- Blood glucose testing
- HbA1c testing
- Oral diabetes medications
- In some cases, insulin injections
- Diet
- Weight control and exercise
If you have Type 2 diabetes, your doctor may prescribe medicines
you take by mouth. This depends on how severe your diabetes
is. There are many kinds of oral diabetes medications. All work
differently, but each lowers blood glucose. Ask your doctor
which medication or combination of medications is right for
you.
Eating right is especially important in Type 2 diabetes, which
can sometimes be controlled just by watching your diet. If your
sugar levels haven't improved six months after changing your
diet, your doctor may recommend an oral medication Most diets
involve watching your intake of carbohydrates and the different
sugars in foods.
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