Diabetes is a lifelong, chronic condition where there is not enough insulin in the body to effectively assist with digestion after eating. Food is broken down during digestion into sugar. Insulin is used to change the sugar and starches into energy that the body needs through the day. Without enough insulin, glucose builds up in the blood and is indicative of Diabetes.
High blood sugar can harm many parts of the body, such as the eyes, heart, blood vessels, nerves, and kidneys. It can also increase your risk for other health problems and complications.
Daily care of diabetes includes self-care:
Treatment and management of both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes begins with healthy lifestyle choices:
Healthy Eating with Diabetes (https://www.diabetes.org/healthy-living/recipes-nutrition/eating-well):
The diagnosis of diabetes can come with many unknowns and concerns about what to do next. Your provider will tell you how often they would like to see you to monitor your diabetes. At a minimum you should have yearly monitoring at your annual wellness visit or physical exam. Below is recommended monitoring that should be performed yearly for patients who have known diabetes Type 1 or Type 2.
You may be prescribed any one of these medications to treat your diabetes. Always be sure you get specific information on the medicine you're taking. For a full list of side effects, check the information that came with the medicine you're using. If you have questions, talk to your pharmacist or doctor.
Insulin: Insulin helps keep your blood sugar level tightly controlled and within a target range. It can be taken by an injection, or through an insulin pump. Rapid-acting insulin is also available as a powder that you inhale. The amount and type of insulin you need changes over time, depending on age, hormones (such as during rapid growth or pregnancy), and changes in exercise routine. You may need higher doses of insulin during times of illness or emotional stress.
Non-Insulin Medications: Non-insulin medicines for diabetes help you control blood sugar. Each type works in a different way to help you control your blood sugar. For example, some types of non-insulin medicines help your body make insulin to lower your blood sugar. Others lower how much insulin your body needs. Some types can slow how quickly your body digests sugars or can remove extra glucose through your urine.
Over time, high blood sugar can cause damage to blood vessels and nerves. This can increase the risk for cardiovascular disease, which includes heart disease, stroke, and blood vessel damage. Controlling blood sugars, following recommended lifestyle changes, and using preventive medications can all help to reduce the risk for heart disease. Additionally, controlling other risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, can help to reduce the risk of heart disease events, including heart attack and stroke.
As always, it is recommended that you speak with your provider before adding new medications and to determine if additional therapy is recommended for you. Medications commonly used in diabetes to prevent cardiovascular complications include:
Aspirin: Aspirin is recommended in diabetic patients with a history of heart attack, vascular bypass, stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), peripheral vascular disease (PVD), and other cardiovascular diseases. In patients without cardiovascular disease history, aspirin may be recommended depending on the patient’s overall risk (aspirin is not recommended in patients considered low-risk). The decision to use aspirin for the prevention of cardiovascular events in patients with diabetes should be made on an individual basis in discussion with your doctor, considering potential benefits and risks.
HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors, “Statin” Medications: In diabetic patients with cardiovascular disease, statin therapy should usually be added to lifestyle changes regardless of cholesterol levels. For patients without cardiovascular disease, you and your doctor should discuss whether taking a statin medication is a good choice given your individual risk factors. Typically, diabetic patients over age 40 years will be on statin therapy to help control cholesterol.
Renin-Angiotensin System Inhibitors (angiotensin-converting enzyme [ACE] inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers [ARBs]) for Diabetics with Kidney Disease and High Blood Pressure: Patients with diabetic kidney disease may benefit from taking an ACE inhibitor or ARB, as these medications may slow kidney disease progression while working to lower blood pressure.
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