Diabetes Treatment - Are You on the Right Path?

Author: Ram Singh

Diabetes is a complex metabolic disease that affects the insulin hormone. It is a lifelong disease that presently does not have any cure. The primary goal in treating both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes is controlling blood glucose levels and maintaining it within a normal range.

Generally, type 1 diabetes or T1D is managed using insulin therapy, exercise and following a diabetic diet. Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is monitored using exercise, weight reduction and pursuing a diabetic diet. If these steps fail, oral medications may be prescribed. Sometimes non-insulin medications may also be used in conjunction with dietary changes, exercise and weight loss.

Many researchers have also demonstrated a link between the presence of sleep apnea or Obstructive sleep apnea and the development of Type 2 Diabetes. Hence treating Sleep Apnea would go a long way in treating diabetes.

Diabetes Diet

Adhering to a specialized diabetic diet is perhaps one of the critical aspects of controlling blood glucose levels. A proper diabetic diet will also prevent the vascular and cardiac complications. According to the dietary guidelines of the American Diabetes Association (ADA), each diabetic meal must be well balanced, nutritious, low in simple sugars, cholesterol and fat. The required daily caloric intake is equally divided across 3 meals. Each diabetic diet plan is individually tailored to the patient and is balanced with insulin. A common diabetic diet plan includes fruits, non-fat dairy products, lean meats, beans, fish or poultry, whole grains and vegetarian protein sources. The ADA recommends that up to 60% of calories must come from carbohydrates, up to 20% from protein and not more than 30% from fats. Diabetics are encouraged to eat meals throughout the day, but in small portions. Doctors recommend advanced meal planning so that people with diabetes may enjoy the same food as everyone else in the family.

Medications to manage Diabetes

Medications are a vital part of a person’s diabetes care plan. Depending on whether the person has T1D or T2D, medications have a direct impact on blood glucose levels. In individuals with T2D, medications may:

  • increase the amount of insulin put out by pancreas;
  • decrease the quantity of glucose excreted by the liver;
  • increase cell insulin sensitivity;
  • decrease carbohydrate absorption in the intestine and;
  • slow the emptying of the stomach.

Where is the insulin sourced?

Insulin is the mainstay treatment for Type 1 Diabetes. Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes who do not respond well to other methods of controlling blood sugar may be required to take insulin as well.

Ideally, the insulin must be administered to mimic the way a person’s pancreas secretes insulin, although this is very difficult to achieve.

Up until the 1990s, insulin was commonly sourced from pigs and cows. Apart from triggering immune reactions, there was also a supply problem at hand. Thanks to advances in microbiology, synthetic human insulin has widely replaced insulin sourced from animals.

Insulin may deliver insulin via a syringe, pre-filled pen or an insulin pump.

Treatment for sleep apnea

Sleep apnea is a condition where a person experiences disturbed sleep patterns. As a result, he/she may awake feeling tired and irritable, the next day. Over the time, their ability to digest carbohydrates may also be affected. To increase daytime wakefulness, he or she may eat high calorie foods filled with sugar. This eventually leads to weight gain and possibly insulin resistance, both of which are precursors to Type 2 Diabetes.

Nearly 48% diabetics suffer from Sleep Apnea, so ignoring Sleep Apnea treatment can lead to worsening of the symptoms of diabetes, cardiac and other problems. Sleep apnea is treated by first diagnosing the condition via a sleep study. If diagnosed, the doctor may recommend therapy using a CPAP machine (Continuous Positive Air Pressure). This requires the person to wear a mask over the nose or nose and face, through which the air is pumped in. Research studies have demonstrated that by successfully treating sleep apnea, a person will experience lower blood sugar levels and consequently, it will help them in reducing weight (if overweight or obese). If the underlying sleep apnea is left untreated, a patient who is trying to effectively manage his diabetes through medication and diet may fail. Successful treatment of sleep apnea has proven to reduce both blood sugar and high blood pressure levels.

The treatment options for diabetes is unique to the person’s lifestyle but nevertheless includes a planned diabetic diet, medications, exercise and regular blood glucose monitoring. You should get yourself evaluated for Sleep Apnea once as recommended by the International diabetes Federation (IDF).