Diabetes treatment is complex in that it involves many areas that need to be addressed. To understand diabetes treatment, let us first understand what diabetes is.
Diabetes is a condition where the body is not able to process the blood glucose either because the pancreas is not producing insulin or the body is resistant to insulin and cannot use it to turn the glucose into energy. Diabetes is classified into Type 1 and Type 2. In Type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce insulin because of various reasons, thus being unable to process the blood sugar causing its levels to rise. Type 2 diabetes is where the body becomes insulin resistant and thus cannot assimilate the blood glucose, again causing the levels to rise.
Diabetes treatment for both the conditions is similar in many ways. However, the main aim in diabetes treatment is to prevent the rise in glucose levels without letting them go below normal. Diabetes is a chronic disease, requiring treatment for life and as such might turn out to be very expensive. Scientists seek to find a cure for this disease with research being done in every area, from stem cells to organ transplants. Researchers are also looking at the possibility of using alternative substances like herbs for diabetes treatment. All these efforts are geared towards finding a cure for this condition.
As mentioned earlier, the main aspect of diabetes treatment involves maintaining the blood glucose levels within the normal range as much as possible. Type 1 diabetes treatment involves insulin therapy combined with a diabetic diet and exercise. Type 2 diabetes treatment focuses on lifestyle changes in the initial stages. The patient is asked to reduce weight and follow a strict diet along with regular exercise. If this diabetes treatment fails to control the rise in blood glucose levels, oral medication is prescribed. In case the patient fails to respond to any of the diabetes treatment, insulin therapy is considered.
The most important aspect of diabetes treatment is strict observation of the diabetic diet. Guidelines for a diabetic diet have been provided by the American Diabetes Association. Since diet forms the mainstay of diabetes treatment, the patient must follow a balanced, nutritious food plan that is low in fat, simple sugars and cholesterol. Total daily calories to be consumed are set according to the needs of the patient and evenly divided over three meals.
Regular exercise not only keeps you fit, it also increases your sensitivity to insulin. As a result, regular exercise is an integral part of diabetes treatment. Especially in case of Type 2 diabetes treatment, the first step is weight reduction which helps in improving insulin sensitivity, thus controlling blood glucose elevation.
When we consider allopathic medication for diabetes treatment, the medicines are designed to either increase the insulin output or decrease the amount of glucose released or improve the response of the cells to insulin. Medication for diabetes treatment may also be prescribed to decrease carbohydrate absorption or delay the presentation of carbohydrates for digestion by slow emptying of the stomach.
A combination of medicines may be used in diabetes treatment to control the elevated blood sugar levels. Each patient responds to medicines differently, hence diabetes treatment options must be tailored to the needs of the patient. It is essential that diabetic patients work with their doctors to find a diabetes treatment method that offers the greatest benefits with minimum risk.
Check out also for Type 2 diabetes information
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