Diabetes: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, Prevention

Diabetes Medicines

Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a group of metabolic diseases in which there is high blood sugar due to insufficient insulin production or, in some cases, an absence of insulin secretion. Diabetes treatment refers to the measures aimed at normalizing blood glucose levels. Type 1 diabetes, also known as juvenile-onset diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes (IDDM) is an autoimmune condition characterized by rapid onset (onset usually before age 40), hypoalbuminemia, hyperglycemia, and loss of pancreatic insulin secretion leading to ketoacidosis. Type 2 diabetes mainly develops from permanent changes in body fat stores rather than altered responses to insulin released from pancreatic beta cells after eating carbohydrate-containing foods.

Causes of diabetes

The most common causes of diabetes are:

1. Type 1 diabetes (insulin-dependent diabetes)

2. Type 2 diabetes (non-insulin-dependent diabetes)

3. Gestational diabetes, which is temporary and usually disappears after the baby is born and the placenta is delivered.

4. Diabetes occurs as a complication of another disease, including chronic pancreatitis, hypothyroidism, or a hormonal disorder such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

Signs and Symptoms of diabetes

The signs and symptoms of diabetes vary depending on the type of diabetes. The most common type of diabetes is called Type 2, which is associated with obesity and physical inactivity.

Signs and symptoms of diabetes

The following are some of the more common symptoms of diabetes:

Nausea or vomiting

Fatigue or weakness

Extreme thirst

Urination problems (especially at night)

Diarrhea or constipation.

Risk Factors of Diabetes

Here are some risk factors that can contribute to diabetes:

Being overweight or obese. This is the most important risk factor for developing Type 2 diabetes. Being overweight or obese increases your chances of developing diabetes by about 50%. Being underweight does not increase your chances of developing diabetes, but it does make it more likely that you will have complications from the disease.

Having a family history of Type 2 diabetes and other metabolic disorders such as gestational diabetes (pregnancy-induced) or non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). There is a higher risk of type 2 diabetes among people with a parent, brother, or sister who has had the disease.

Excess body weight (obesity). Being overweight increases your chances of developing type 2 diabetes by about 50%. Being underweight does not increase your chances of developing type 2 diabetes, but it does make it more likely that you will have complications from the disease. People who are overweight also tend to have high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol levels. Having both high blood pressure and high cholesterol reduces insulin effectiveness and makes you more likely to develop heart disease or stroke.

The treatments for diabetes

Treatments for diabetes are available at many different levels. There are pills and injections that can be taken by mouth, insulin shots that must be given by needle, and insulin pumps that deliver the drugs to the body.

Pills

Long-acting insulins, also called basal or regular, are injected once a day or less often at night. Examples include NPH and Lantus. You may have to adjust your dose to achieve good control. You will continue to need these medications even when you stop using insulin pumps because they work only when they are being delivered through an artificial pancreas.

Insulin multiple daily injections (MDI) is an older type of insulin preparation used to treat people with type 1 diabetes who require frequent injections of rapid-acting insulin throughout the day. It is no longer used in adults as a treatment for type 1 diabetes; however, it is still prescribed for type 1 diabetes in children and adolescents whose body weight has not stabilized. This drug is administered by injection under the skin (subcutaneously) once daily or less frequently (every two days).

Pump therapy

The pump is a small, battery-operated device that delivers insulin through a catheter inserted into a vein. It can administer insulin to people who cannot use needles or people who cannot take insulin by mouth.

Pumps are particularly useful for people with diabetes whose eyesight may be impaired by the effects of high blood glucose levels, who may have difficulty reading the dosage information on the syringe, or who find it difficult to draw up insulin from bags.

Pumps also provide flexibility in treatment schedules and avoid the inconvenience of having to change daily glucose testing sites or test at certain times of the day. This makes it easier for people with diabetes to regulate their blood sugar levels if they have trouble controlling them with diet and exercise alone.

The treatments for diabetes are:

*1. Diet and exercise

*2. Insulin and other medications

*3. Topical agents

*4. Surgery and other procedures

Diet and exercise

Diabetes can be controlled by diet and exercise.

Dietary changes alone may not be sufficient for all people with diabetes. However, diet and exercise can help you control your blood sugar level.

A healthy diet includes protein, carbohydrates, and fat at each meal. You should also limit foods that are high in sugars, fats, salt, and calories.

You may need to change your eating habits if you have diabetes. Your doctor or dietitian may suggest that you eat meals at regular times each day so that you get enough calories throughout the day. If you're overweight or obese, your doctor may also suggest limiting foods that are high in fats, sugars, and cholesterol in order to lower your calorie intake. In addition, you may want to limit the number of sugary drinks such as soda pop or fruit juices you drink each day because they contain lots of sugar.

You should start slowly when making changes to your eating habits. Try making small changes over time instead of trying to change everything overnight.

Exercise is an important part of managing diabetes because it helps keep your blood sugar levels stable by increasing insulin production in the pancreas (insulin secretion).

Insulin and other medications

Insulin and other medications' role in diabetes treatment

The most common way to lower blood sugar levels is with the injection of insulin. Other medications may be needed if insulin injections do not work well enough or if they cause too many side effects.

Insulin, a hormone made in the pancreas, helps glucose move from your bloodstream into your cells where it is used for energy. Insulin can be given by injection (pump) or infusion (by vein).

Injections are delivered through a needle inserted into a vein in your arm or leg. Insulin comes in several different strengths and types, so you will be matched to the dose that works best for you. Insulin generally works best when injected into muscles rather than fat tissue because it does not penetrate very far into fat cells.

Insulin comes as:

Insulin glargine (Lantus®) - a rapid-acting insulin taken by injection once daily at bedtime to mimic the natural production of insulin throughout the day; available only through a special program called Pathway to Prevention®; may also be used before meals in people with type 2 diabetes who cannot take oral diabetes medicines (sulfonylureas), or as an additional long-acting injectable medicine added to pump.

Topical agents

Topical agent's role in diabetes treatment

Topical agents are used to treat skin conditions like acne, eczema, and psoriasis. Topical agents are also used for anti-aging, anti-wrinkle, and anti-inflammatory properties. Topical agents can be applied directly on the skin or taken orally.

Topical agents are used to treat hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia. Topical agents may be prescribed for people with diabetes who have difficulty controlling their blood sugar. For example, if a person has diabetes but does not take insulin properly, or does not take enough insulin, oral medications alone may be ineffective in preventing the onset of high blood sugar levels. In such cases, topical agents can be prescribed to help control blood sugar levels by reducing glucose absorption through the skin when applied topically.

Topical agents may also be prescribed in conjunction with insulin administration to reduce the risk of low blood sugar levels occurring while taking oral medications with time-release formulations (e.g., fast-acting insulins) or when taking oral medications that require frequent dosing intervals (e.g., intermediate-acting insulins).

Surgery and other procedures

Surgery and other procedures' role in diabetes treatment

Many people with diabetes require surgery or other procedures, including angioplasty, bypass surgery, and dialysis. These procedures are generally safe and effective when performed by experienced surgeons. However, complications can occur. For example:

Angioplasty -- The goal of angioplasty is to open narrowed arteries so blood flow can be restored to the heart. This procedure may be done as an outpatient procedure or as an inpatient procedure under general anesthesia. If performed as a day-surgery procedure, you will be given medication to help you relax before the procedure. You will then be put under anesthesia for about 2 hours and then wake up to find your doctor standing next to you.

Bypass surgery -- Bypass surgery refers to procedures that remove part of the circulatory system from the body (artery) of a patient with diabetes so that blood flow through these arteries is not affected by severe atherosclerosis. Bypass surgery may be done either as an outpatient procedure or an inpatient procedure under general anesthesia or regional anesthesia (narcotic drugs).

The types of medicines for type 1 diabetes

Medicines for type 1 diabetes are usually given as tablets, capsules, or a drink.

Your doctor may decide that you need to take more than one medicine at a time, or they may suggest a combination of medicines.

Some types of medicine are taken by mouth (by mouth), while others are given by injection (intravenous). Some medicines are given as drops into the eye (ophthalmic).

Most people with type 1 diabetes start with one medicine at first, but some do not have any problems and do not need it at all. You may be able to stop taking your medicine after 3 months if you feel better without it; however, this does not always happen because some people still have symptoms despite being on medication for 2 years or more.

The types of medicines for type 2 diabetes

There are two types of medicines to treat type 2 diabetes: oral medications and insulin.

Oral medications are taken by mouth. They include:

sulfonylurea (e.g., glyburide, glipizide)

metformin (e.g., Glucophage)

troglitazone (e.g., Rebetol)

other drugs that lower blood glucose levels (e.g., pioglitazone [Actos], rosiglitazone [Avandia])

Some people with diabetes are able to manage their condition without taking any medicines. But others may need medicines to help control their blood glucose levels or blood sugar.

Medicines can help you to live with type 2 diabetes and lower your risk of complications. Medicines are available in many different forms: tablets, capsules, liquids, and gels. They come as fixed dose combinations (FDCs) or a combination of tablets and FDCs.

You may be prescribed medicines to help control your blood glucose levels. You will often be advised to take these for the rest of your life. However, if you stop taking them suddenly, you could have some unpleasant side effects such as dizziness or feeling sick.

There are two main types of medicine for type 2 diabetes:

Sulfonylureas – sulphonyl urea (brand name Sulzem®, Sulfonylurea Zarsenil®) and glimepiride (brand name Gliklizide®) work by making the liver produce more insulin after eating food which has been converted into glucose by the digestive system. These are taken once a day at the same time each day.

The types of medicines for type 3 diabetes

There are many different types of medicines for type 3 diabetes, such as oral medications and insulin. Some people may have to take multiple medicines.

Oral medicines

Oral medicines are taken by mouth. They are available in many forms and vary according to the patient's specific needs. Oral medicines help control blood sugar levels by:

Reducing insulin use when you eat more carbohydrates than your body can use (such as a sugary snack). This reduces the amount of glucose in your blood, which helps prevent too much sugar from being absorbed into your bloodstream.

Controlling high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) by helping the body produce less insulin after eating a meal or snack containing carbohydrates. As a result, less glucose is absorbed into the bloodstream, lowering your blood sugar level.

Stopping the absorption of some sugars by blocking their action on cells that respond to them (sugar receptors).

The types of medicines for type 4 diabetes

The types of medicines for type 4 diabetes

The two main types of medicines used to treat type 2 diabetes are:

a) Oral hypoglycaemic agents, which include:

1. Succinate dextrose (glucose) tablets (sugar-free)

2. Fruity glucose tablets (glucose)

3. Fruity sucrine tablets (carbohydrate-rich)

4. Sulfonylurea tablets (glucose-regulating)

5. Glibenclamide (metformin) or glimepiride (metformin).

b) Insulin: subcutaneous injection or infusion.

The types of medicines for type 4 diabetes:

1. Oral hypoglycaemic agents (such as sulfonylureas) - These include tolbutamide, chlorpropamide, and glibenclamide. They work by lowering the amount of sugar in your blood by forcing your body to use it as energy.

2. Insulin - This is a hormone that helps you to use glucose (sugar) from food and drink. You inject different types of insulin depending on whether you are eating or drinking.

Conclusion

Diabetes is a chronic disease of blood sugar characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from defects in insulin secretion, its action, or both; it is not a single disease but a cluster of closely related disorders.

Diabetes is a chronic, non-communicable disease. This makes it a lifestyle disease. It occurs when the pancreas does not produce insulin hormone or when the body loses its ability to use insulin effectively. This can make it difficult for your body to get energy from food. Diabetes is a group of diseases that cause elevated levels of blood glucose (also called blood sugar). It can be very serious and even life-threatening if not well controlled. Type 1 diabetes is characterized by low levels of insulin production by the pancreas, and type 2 diabetes is characterized by insufficient response by cells in the body to insulin given by pancreas.

Humans have been able to cure diabetes naturally with natural remedies, diet or herbs. The above information was for medical use, but it is not to replace the advice given by a doctor or qualified health professional. We recommend that you seek advice from a qualified health professional before making any changes to your diet or lifestyle and whilst taking any supplements. Also check out this site on natural cures for cancer.