If the thought of injecting insulin terrifies you, finding out that you have diabetes could seem like the worst possible diagnosis. If you are type 2 diabetic however, you may be pleased to know that there are a huge number of different diabetes treatment drugs that you can try before you need to resort to insulin. Here are a few of the diabetes treatments that are available to type 2 diabetics today, along with the possible side effects you may experience when using these.
Some diabetes treatment drugs work by promoting insulin production in the body. One example of this type of diabetes treatment is sulphonylureas, which comes in a number of forms including glimepiride, chlorpropamide, and glibenclamide. There are a few side effects associated with sulphonylureas, the most significant being a lumpy red rash on the skin which occurs in rare cases. They can also cause nausea, weight gain and an upset stomach. Sulphonylureas are unlikely to be recommended for older diabetics as they work over a long period of time and cause blood sugar to drop too low causing a hypo.
Often known as metformin, biguanide is another diabetes treatment drug, but it works very differently to sulphonylureas. Biguanide reduced the release of glucose by the liver, as well as assisting the movement of insulin throughout the cells of the body. Taking biguanide with food can reduce the potential side effects which include nausea, diarrhoea and stomach problems.
A third type of diabetes treatment drug, designed to limit natural insulin resistance, is thiazolidinediones, often known as pioglitazone or rosiglitazone. Because there is a reduced resistance to insulin, type 2 diabetics taking this treatment are able to use the small amount of insulin they do produce more effectively. Taking thiazolidinediones can occasionally cause respiratory tract infections, or more commonly lead to headaches, fluid retention and increase weight.
Another diabetes treatment that can be used before insulin becomes necessary is prandial glucose regulators. This works by increasing the amount of insulin manufactured by the pancreas, and are effective over a short period, reducing the chances of experiencing a hypo due to overly low blood sugar. Prandial glucose regulators should be taken three times a day, and taking them with food should minimise the side defects such as an upset stomach and nausea. Another potential side effect of prandial glucose inhibitors is excessive weight gain, but this can be managed by altering your dosage.
A different approach to tackling the high blood sugar associated with type 2 diabetes, is to take an alpha glucose inhibitor. These reduce the rate at which starchy foods are taken into the blood stream so that your blood sugar level does not rise too quickly. The usual dose for alpha glucose inhibitors such as acarbose is three tablets a day. However, your physician may suggest a low dose to begin with to minimise side effects such as diarrhoea, bloating and wind.
DPP-4 inhibitors are a type of diabetes treatment that increases levels of the incretin hormone, which occurs naturally in the body. This hormone is produced when we eat and helps us to produce the required amount of insulin, whilst limiting glucose production in the liver. DPP-4 inhibitors can be taken along with other tablets such as thiazolidinediones, but not with insulin. The side effects of these diabetes treatment drugs depend largely on what you are taking them with, but they have a small risk of causing hypoglycaemia.
Eventually most type 2 diabetics do need to take insulin, when their pancreas is no longer able to manufacture enough to control their blood sugar. Although many people dread having to inject insulin, the needles are actually very small, depositing the drug just under the skin. Insulin can be injected into various areas of the body including thighs, buttocks, and stomach, and injection sites should be varied to avoid insulin build up. Those that can't face injections could consider using an insulin pump, and there are other methods under development including a patch and an inhaler.
Lisa Janse is a professional writer who specializes in health issues. Learn more about living with Diabetes by reading more practical and interesting facts on Diabetes Diets at http://www.sugardiabetes.net Get your own completely unique content version of this article.
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