Information regarding diabetes and day-to-day living with the disease.

For type 2 diabetes it may be that no medication is required if changes to
diet, exercise regimes and lifestyle allow the body to become self-regulating
once again. However, if this is not the case, medication will need to be taken.

There are five different types of drug available that all work in slightly
different ways to help the type 2 diabetes sufferer.

The alpha-glucosidase inhibitors work by affecting the way
the body digests carbohydrates. These drugs are taken with every meal and actually
slow down the digestion process of carbohydrates to prevent high levels of
glucose entering the bloodstream. They have caused diarrhea in some patients.

Thiazolidinediones support the work of insulin at a cellular
level. They also inhibit the release of glucose from the liver and so control
glucose levels in the blood. These drugs are taken with food, although they
are not required to be taken with every meal. Because these drugs alter the
way the liver works it is important that they are taken under medical supervision
and that regular checks are done for proper liver function.

The Biguanide drugs also act on the liver and work to control
glucose levels in the blood stream by decreasing the amount of glucose released
by the liver. Once again, it is important that liver function is monitored
while these drugs are being taken.

Meglitinides stimulate the insulin producing cells of the
pancreas to release insulin. These drugs are generally taken immediately before
every meal. There is an increased risk of hypoglycemia when these drugs are
being taken as the pancreas may be stimulated into producing too much insulin
which may cause blood sugar levels to drop to low.

Sulphonylureas stimulate the pancreas to produce and
release more insulin, so once again hypoglycemia can become a problem.

These drugs are only available to those with type 2 diabetes and it should
be noted that pill treatments do not always work for everyone. This type of
drug therapy seems to have the best chance of success with those who have just
developed type 2 diabetes or with those who have only needed very small
amounts of insulin to keep their glucose levels within acceptable limits. Oral
medication is not prescribed to pregnant women and in these cases the diabetic
mom-to-be must control her condition either through changes in diet or by taking
insulin.

It should be noted that taking diabetes medication does not give the diabetic
license to abandon all dietary controls. It is important to continue to test
glucose levels and to eat a sensible and diabetic friendly diet.

Sometimes the drugs are offered in combinations to enhance their effects
e.g. a pancreas stimulant with a glucose inhibitor. This can be beneficial
provided the side effects do not make the treatment unbearable.

These drugs can only work if the pancreas is still able to produce insulin.
For those who have type 1 diabetes where their bodies produce no insulin at
all, insulin replacement is required. In addition, insulin replacement or supplementation
becomes necessary when drug therapy can no longer maintain proper glucose levels.