If you or any of your loved ones have diabetes, you need to be aware of the diabetes treatment options available to you.

At present, there is no known diabetes cure through conventional medicine. However, the condition can be treated. Millions of people with diabetes lead perfectly normal lives with the aid of such treatment. A variety of treatment options are available. All of them essentially try to regulate blood sugar levels through diet, exercise, and medication.

Method of Diabetes Treatment

The exact method of diabetes treatment used depends on the type that the patient has. There are several types of diabetes, of which the most common are Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 is a condition where the body produces too little or no insulin. In Type 2, insulin production is normal, but cells become resistant to it.

Specific doses of insulin need to be administered to people with Type 1. This is usually done via injections, and several injections may be required per day. Blood sugar levels are monitored throughout the day and the dosage of injections is adjusted as required.

An alternative to injections is the use of implantable dispensers, called infusion pumps. These pumps infuse a fixed amount of insulin into the user’s blood at the press of a button. Too much insulin in the blood can cause insulin shock. This can lead to dizziness or may even be fatal. Mild cases may be addressed by consuming sugary substances.

Along with administered insulin, patients must stick to carefully tailored diets with strict limits on carbohydrates and fats. They must also exercise regularly and continue to follow such regimens lifelong.

Type 2 diabetes is a lifestyle disease that can most often be prevented. With a healthy lifestyle, including good diet and exercise, the risk of Type 2 can be greatly reduced if not eliminated.

Type 2 is generally manageable through maintaining healthy diets and getting lots of exercise. Blood sugar levels must be monitored, and some cases may require medication to control these levels. Several drugs are available for this. Drugs may function either by increasing insulin production or by directly controlling glucose production or distribution. People with Type 2 must also continue treatment lifelong.

Research is being done to develop cures. One potentially permanent cure involves surgical transplantation of pancreatic tissue. Properly functioning tissue from a donor is transplanted into the patient’s pancreas. If the tissue continues to function properly, the person may then start producing insulin normally. However, this method is only useful to treat Type 1 diabetes, and the success rates are, as yet, very low.

Various diabetes treatment alternatives exist, other than conventional methods. These may work with varying levels of effectiveness. However, some may not work and may even be harmful. It is important to seek medical advice from a qualified health professional before pursuing any form of treatment.

Diabetes complications are health problems that will develop if diabetes is left untreated. Often, these complications can be more critical than the disease itself. Learning about the effects that diabetes can have helps manage the condition or take preventive measures. This article provides basic information about short- and long-term implications of diabetes.

What is Diabetes

Diabetes is a condition in which the body’s mechanism for regulating glucose breaks down. Glucose is a monosaccharide sugar which is obtained by digesting food. It is used to provide energy to all the cells in our body. Its distribution throughout the body is governed by a hormone called insulin, which is produced in the pancreas.

Forms Of Diabetes

There are two common forms of diabetes – Type 1 and Type 2. In the former, insulin production becomes insufficient or stops. The latter sees a state where the body’s cells stop responding to insulin. Both types result in excessive levels of glucose or sugar in the blood.

Left untreated, this can lead to several problems. Just a minor increase in blood sugar levels above limits can have serious effects over a prolonged period. Excessive levels of glucose damages blood vessels, nerves, and even organs. Listed below are some of the major diabetes complications.

Nephropathy: This term refers to kidney damage or disease. High levels of blood sugar means the kidneys have too much filtration to do, and this can lead to kidney damage. In extreme cases, it can also cause total kidney failure, necessitating a kidney transplant.

Retinopathy: This is damage to the eye’s retina. Delicate vessels and capillaries at back of the eye may become blocked. This impairs the normal passage of light through the eye, causing a loss of vision. If not addressed properly, this can even cause permanent vision loss. Getting regular eye check-ups would help in providing timely treatment for this problem.

Neuropathy: This refers to damage to nerves. The extremely fine blood vessels in nerves are easily damaged by high levels of glucose. This may cause a tingling sensation or sharp needle-like pain in fingers and toes.

Additionally, damaged nerves may reduce sensory perception. This means that tiny nicks and cuts may go unnoticed, particularly on the feet. These can develop into more serious infections. Closely inspecting one’s feet at the end of each day is a good means of avoiding infections from festering.

Heart Disease And Stroke: People with diabetes are at higher risk of developing heart disease. High blood sugar levels can lead to arteries and veins becoming clogged up. This can cause high blood pressure, and increase the chances of strokes or heart attacks.

Problems listed here are common for both Type 1 diabetes complications and Type 2. However, there are a few diabetes complications that are type specific.