Andrew Scoma

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Diabetes

• Basic Facts
• Blood Glucose
• Type 1
• Type 2
• Hypoglycemia
• Hyperglycemia
• About Insulin
• Ketoacidosis
• Long Term Health

Thyroid

• Basic Facts
• Hypothyroidism
• Hyperthyroidism
• Graves' Disease
• Hashimotos
• Goiters
• Thyroid Nodules

Procedures

• Doppler Studies
• NDX Testing
• Insulin Pumps
• Vascular Screening
• Thyroid Testing
• EKGs

Type 2 Diabetes

In type 2 diabetes, your body may still make insulin, but it either doesn't make enough (insulin deficiency) or is unable to correctly use the insulin it does make (insulin resistance). Type 2 used to be called "non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus." People who have it can be treated with proper meal planning and exercise, oral medicines, and/or insulin. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and accounts for at least nine out of ten cases. Although it can occur in younger people, it most often begins when people are over 40 years of age. The most important thing to remember is that getting diabetes is not your fault. The tendency to develop diabetes is inherited (present at birth). It does not always come from being too heavy and it is not caused by eating too much sugar.

Since the tendency to develop type 2 diabetes may be inherited, any member of your family (mother, father, sister, brother, children) who has three or more of the above symptoms should be tested for diabetes. Also, regular exercise and staying lean may prevent or delay some cases of type 2 diabetes.

In its early stages, type 2 diabetes often has no symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they may come on gradually and be very subtle.

Treatment of Type 2

Many people with type 2 diabetes often are able to take diabetes pills to keep their blood sugar under control. These pills are not insulin. Instead, these pills rely on the insulin your body makes. That is why diabetes pills can't be used in type 1 diabetes. Different types of oral medicines lower blood sugar in different ways.

Sulfonylureas and Meglitinides-These drugs help the pancreas provide extra insulin. Sulfonylureas raise insulin levels for several hours. Meglitinides are taken with food and increase insulin levels for less time than the sulfonylureas. Low blood sugar is a possible side effect of these medicines.

"Starch Blockers"-(such as Acarbose)These drugs slow down the digestion and absorption of starches and sugars. Therefore blood sugars rise more slowly after eating. Gas and bloating are among the common side effects of these drugs, but doses can be increased very slowly to lessen the side effects.

Biguanide drugs-This type of drug works mostly in the liver. Mainly, it stops the liver from making extra sugar when it is not needed. Biguanide drugs can cause side effects, the most common being stomach upset and nausea. To minimize side effects, take biguanides with food.

TZDs- The newest class of oral medication is called insulin-sensitivity enhancers or TZDs. These medicines treat insulin resistance, a primary cause of diabetes. Insulin resistance is a condition in which the body does not use its own insulin effectively. By reducing insulin resistance, a TZD allows your own insulin or the insulin you take to work more effectively to help reduce the harmful build up of blood sugar. Side effects of the TZDs may include weight gain, mild edema (swelling), and a slight decrease in blood hemoglobin levels.

Some people with Type 2 Diabetes may need to begin taking Insulin at some point. For more information about insulin please see Treatments for Type 1.

Remember, one of the the best treatments for Diabetes is eating well, exercising regularly and regular visits to your doctor's office. This along with the medication recommended by your doctor will keep you healthy for many years to come!