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The Role Of Diabetes Drug Treatments
By M. A. Fulmar

In the United States, diabetes is becoming one of the fastest growing epidemics. Both men and women from children to the elderly can be affected by diabetes. Since diabetes is so common it is important to understand the role of diabetes drug treatments in helping to control the symptoms and effects of diabetes.

Types Of Diabetes Drug Treatment

Diabetics have seven different types of medicines that their doctor may prescribe from them: insulin, sulfonylureas, biguanides, a combination of sulfonylurea and biguanide, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, thiazolidinediones and meglitinides. All these types of diabetic medications help to control an individuals glucose levels.

Insulin Treatment

The diabetes drug that most individuals take is insulin. Insulin is a type of energy source that allows the cells of the body to work. For diabetics insulin is either pumped or injected into the bloodstream by either needle injections or an insulin pump. Some forms of insulin are produced from synthetic measures while others come from animals.

Depending on the insulin needs a different class of insulin will be used for diabetes drug treatment. For use over night or other long periods then long acting insulin will be used. If people are at risk of dropping into a diabetic coma because of low glucose levels then rapid acting insulin will be used.

Sulfonylureas Treatment

This method of diabetes drug treatment helps the pancreas by stimulating it to produce insulin. For Type 2 diabetic patients this is the most common medication prescribed by doctors. This drug is the first choice largely because of its low risk of side effects, the only major side effects being hypoglycemia or low blood sugar.

Combination Sulfonylurea And Biguanide Treatment

These drugs are used to control the symptoms and target the glucose production in the liver rather than the pancreas. If a patient is overweight, this is the most common diabetes drug treatment prescribed by doctors. These two drugs combined in a single tablet has helped to not only reduce the amount of pills an individual takes but also allows individuals to save money on their prescription drug costs.

Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors Treatment

This diabetes drug treatment is used to reduce the amount of carbohydrates absorbed into the bloodstream. By maintaining how much glucose enters the bloodstream the blood glucose levels and be maintained in an individual. Abdominal cramping, diarrhea and gas are the most common side effects to this drug treatment method. When taking these drugs it is important to take them along with food.

Meglitinides

This diabetes drug treatment helps the body by stimulating it to release insulin after eating. Hypoglycemia can develop with these drugs since it is not one hundred percent effective at increasing the natural production of insulin. It is extremely important that individuals keep candy, glucose tablets, insulin or other sugars on hand when taking these medications.

Author Details:
M. A. Fulmar writes about Diabetes and other health matters for various web sites including, The A to Z of and Information Junkie.

Source: Free Health Article Directory

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