The main objective in treating diabetes is to reduce any elevation of glucose or blood sugar without strangely altering the level of blood sugar from the normal range. Type 1 Diabetes can be treated with a diabetic diet, exercise, and insulin. Type 2 Diabetes can be treated first with weight reduction, exercise, and a diabetic diet. When this kind of treatment fails to manage the elevated blood sugar, prescribed oral medication can be used. If the oral medications are still insufficient, insulin treatment is considered.

A diabetic diet is a significant aspect of controlling the increase of elevated blood sugar in patients with diabetes. The ADA, or American Diabetes Association, has provided guidelines for taking the diabetic diet. The American Diabetes Association diet is a balanced and nutritious diet that is low in simple sugar, fats, and cholesterol. The total daily calories are consistently divided into three meals. In the past year, the American Diabetes Association has lifted the total prohibition on simple sugar. A small amount of simple sugar is allowed when consumed with a complex meal.

Exercise and weight reduction are significant treatments for diabetes. Exercise and weight reduction also help in controlling  blood sugar elevations and increase the body’s sensitivity to insulin.

Insulin Treatment

Insulin is a hormone that breaks down large food molecules, such as proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, into smaller chunks like glucose for it to be readily absorbed by the cells present in the body.

Insulin treatment is required for all Type 1 Diabetic patients. More than 30 percent of the population in the United States have Type 1 Diabetes because there is no production of insulin in their bodies. If insulin is not provided, there is an increase of blood sugar level along with ketones as the body burns its fat supplies. This leads to a life-threatening situation called diabetic ketoacidosis. If too much insulin is injected, it leads to lower body sugar level that can lead to hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia, in turn, can cause another life-threatening situation known as diabetic coma. Insulin is also required for Type 2 Diabetes patients, as there is progressive disintegration of the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas.
There are four types of insulin treatments available for everyone. These are: short acting insulin, intermediate acting insulin, long acting insulin, and biphasic insulin.

The short acting insulin is a type of soluble insulin treatment. It starts working in about thirty minutes from the time it is taken orally or injected. It keeps on working for about eight to ten hours. Insulin Lispro and Insulin Aspart are some examples of short acting insulin. Intermediate acting insulin is another type of insulin treatment that starts working in one to three hours and continues to work about ten to fourteen hours.

Log acting insulin starts working in two to four hours and continues up to twenty-four hours. Various examples of long acting insulin are Insulin Detemir and Insulin Zinc Suspension.
Biphasic insulin is a mixture of intermediate acting insulin and short acting insulin in different proportions.

Medications and treatment for type 1 diabetes

The diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes is usually done on the basis of the beginning of symptoms such as unusual thirst, sudden weight loss, frequent urination, extreme tiredness, weakness, irritability, blurred vision, and nausea and extreme cases of vomiting. These symptoms degenerate in a matter of weeks and by the time the blood tests are done, 25 to 30 percent of the patients start experiencing DKA or diabetic ketoacidosis.

Type 1 Diabetes can only be treated with careful observation of the blood glucose levels using the blood testing monitors and inhalations of insulin or subcutaneous injections.  Apart from this treatment, a drastic change in lifestyle is also essential. This change must incorporate a healthy diet and exercise. Along with these measures, the patient must take also administer insulin into his body. There are different ways to insulin into the body, such as distributing insulin through a pump, taking insulin as an inhaled powder, infusion of insulin 24 hours a day at present levels, and programming a push dose of insulin as needed at meal times.

Diet also plays a significant part in managing blood sugar levels. A balanced meal preparation is a necessity. Physical activity is very significant for a diabetic person as it helps in increasing your weight and stabilizing your blood sugar levels.

Type 1 Diabetes is a chronic condition so treatment should continue indefinitely with discipline and lots of care. The blood sugar levels must be between 80 over 120 milligrams per deciliter and if it increases over 120 milligrams deciliter, hyperglycemia must immediately be opposed by an injection of insulin. If blood sugar levels fall to less than 80 milligrams per deciliter, hypoglycemia occurs and immediate sugar should be taken.

Treatment for Type 2 Diabetes

The first-line treatment for Type 2 Diabetes is physical activity, weight control, and diet. If the blood glucose level remains high despite of this lifestyle measures, tablets are usually advised to reduce the blood glucose level. If the blood glucose level remains too high in spite of taking tablets, insulin injections are then required.

The blood test known as HbA1c test is mostly used to keep track of your blood glucose level. Your nurse or doctor usually does the HbA1c test every two to six months. The HbA1c test measures amount of glucose in the hemoglobin, the substance that gives color to red blood cells. Hemoglobin can give a good indication of your average blood glucose levels over the last two to three months.

Treatment goals are to lower the HbA1c below the target level, which is commonly agreed between the doctor and patient. The target level is commonly between 6.5 percent and 7.5 percent. If your HbA1c is still above the target level, you should increase the dose of medication to keep blood glucose level down.

Metformin is a biguanide drug that helps lower blood glucose mostly by reducing the amount of glucose released by the liver into the bloodstream. Metformin also increases the sensitivity of the body cells to insulin. It is usually the first tablet advised if the blood glucose level is not controlled by other measures. Metformin is used to keep you from gaining weight. It is preferred over other glucose-lowering tablets because it does not cause hypoglycemia.

Sulphonylurea drugs work to increase the amount of insulin produced by the pancreas. There are several types of Sulphonyrea drug. These are glimepiride, gliclazide, glibenclamide, glipizide, gliquidone, and tolbutamide. Sulphonylurea drugs should be used if you are not overweight and only if you cannot take Metformin.

Thaizolidinediones works by lowering the blood glucose. It increases the sensitivity of the body cells to insulin. There are two types of Thiazolidinedioes; these are rosiglitazone and pioglitazone. It is usually called glitazones. It is not used alone, but it is an option to take it in addition to Sulphonylurea or Metformin.

Acarbose works in delaying the absorption of the carbohydrates in your body. Acarbose can decrease the peaks of blood glucose that can occur after meals. Acarbose is an option if you are unable to take other tablets to keep the blood glucose level down. It can also used in addition to other glucose-lowering tablets.

Symlin is an injectable medicine that controls blood sugar for adults both with Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes. It is used in addition to insulin therapy in patients who cannot achieve adequate control of their blood sugar levels by using only intensive insulin therapy. Symlin cannot be used if the patients have gastroparesis, are allergic to metacresol, pramlintide acetate, sodium acetate, or if they cannot tell when their blood sugar is low. Some side effects associated with Symlin include dizziness, fatigue, headaches, abdominal pain, and vomiting and nausea.

Sulfonylurea medications are an effectual treatment for numerous people who suffer from Type 2 Diabetes. Sulfonylurea medications work quickly to control elevated blood sugar levels. These medications work for a long time and can cause low blood sugar. Most Sulfonylurea medications can be taken once a day. Other patients need to take it twice a day. Sulfonylurea can also cause weight gain. It also tends to maintain the body’s insulin levels high for long periods of time. It is very significant not to delay or skip the meals when taking these medications.

Oral Diabetes Medications

Oral diabetes medications can help control Type 2 Diabetes by decreasing glucose output, increasing insulin sensitivity, influencing carbohydrate absorption, and stimulating the pancreas to set up insulin production. This makes diabetes medication another good addition to effectual diabetes management.

There are some of the most common classes of oral medications for the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes.

• Sulfonylureas – It helps stimulate the pancreas to make more insulin. Sulfonyreas are occasionally used in injection with insulin injections.
• Biguanides – It works to reduce the amount of glucose made by the liver.
• Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors – It works to slow down the absorption of the starches you take in.
• Thaizolidinediones – It makes you more sensitive to insulin.
• Meglitinides – It works to stimulate the pancreas to produce more insulin.
• D-phenylalanine derivatives – It works to help the pancreas produce more insulin quickly.
• DPP-IV Inhibitors – It work to boost production of certain hormones to help lower your blood glucose levels.