Diabetes

Insulin is the major medicine for type 2 diabetes. However, there are several other medicines available to treat and keep blood glucose level under control. There are medicines that increase the production of insulin by stimulating the pancreas and there are medicines available that stimulate the liver to produce less sugar. Some medicines sensitize the body’s cells to the insulin produced by the pancreas and some medicines that slow down the digestion of carbohydrates. Diabetes type 2 is basically a metabolic disorder in which the body is either not producing enough insulin or the cells in the body do not respond to the insulin. In the absence of insulin the blood sugar level rises. Generally those people who have insulin resistance have type 2 diabetes. Insulin is a very important hormone which carries the glucose to the cells to be used as energy.

Diabetes is a dangerous disease as by the time you realize that you have diabetes 10 to 15 years have passed with you living with high blood sugar. This is because in type 2 diabetes the symptoms are mild and can be easily overlooked or misunderstood as signs of ageing. Typical symptoms include fatigue, tingling sensation in the feet, numbness, recurrent infections, irritability, blurred vision, loss of weight, frequent urination etc. Most people are blissfully unaware of their diabetic status until they show signs of high blood pressure in routine exams. The best way forward is to have a routine annual exam where your blood sugar is also tested. If detected early diabetes can be treated and managed to keep the serious side effects away. Generally people who are over the age of 40 are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes. People who are overweight and lead a sedentary lifestyle are also prone to developing diabetes. Family history of diabetes is also one of the causes. Increasing insulin resistance eventually leads to the pancreas not producing any insulin at all. Such patients then require insulin injections. Out of all the patients diagnosed with diabetes 85 to 90% are type 2 diabetics.

Treatment for type 2 diabetes generally revolves around exercise, diet, medicines, and insulin injections. In the earlier stages of insulin resistance the best option is to exercise as it improves the sensitivity to insulin. Exercise also helps in reducing weight which also has the added benefit of reducing risks of heart disease. Medicines required to control diabetes may range from one tablet to multiple tablets along with insulin injection. However, it is seen that a combination of drugs is more effective.

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