There are two types of diabetes. One form, type 1 diabetes, usually occurs in teens or young adults and requires insulin since the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin to control blood sugars. The more common type, type 2 diabetes, can sometimes be treated with lifestyle changes alone, although most people need oral medications or insulin to get adequate blood sugar control. People with this form of diabetes produce insulin, but their cells are resistant to the insulin they produce. Type 2 diabetes has become a public health problem with nearly 7 percent of the world’s population affected.
Symptoms of Diabetes
The symptoms of new-onset type 2 diabetes can be so subtle that some people are unaware they have it. In those who are symptomatic, the first symptoms are often an increase in thirst and increased urination. Other common diabetes symptoms include changes in weight, dry mouth, blurred vision, fatigue, itching, headaches, increased hunger, nausea and slow wound-healing. These symptoms are all due to excess glucose circulating in the bloodstream and a relative reduction in insulin to transport it into cells.
Treatment of Diabetes Symptoms
The goal of diabetes therapy is to keep blood sugars at a level that’s close to normal. This requires a combination of lifestyle changes and sometimes oral or injected medications.
Some people with type 2 diabetes can control their blood sugars by eating a diet that emphasizes fruits, vegetables and whole grains, while limiting processed foods and “bad” fats such as saturated fats and trans fats. In people who are overweight, losing weight and getting at least 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week also helps to lower blood sugar levels.
Despite making healthy lifestyle changes, some people with type 2 diabetes still need medications to lower their blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of complications. Many doctors start patients with type 2 diabetes on a medication called metformin as initial therapy. If blood sugars are still high, they may add a second diabetes medication that works in a different way. One of the most common are the sulfonylureas. People taking sulfonylureas are at risk for developing low blood sugar. Symptoms of low blood sugar include anxiety and feeling shaky or sweaty. If they occur, it’s important to eat a piece of hard candy or drink fruit juice.
At one time, insulin injections were prescribed only for people with type 2 diabetes who couldn’t control their blood sugar with lifestyle changes and oral medications. Now, there’s evidence that type 2 diabetics may benefit from insulin therapy at an earlier stage; it helps to maintain the ability of the pancreas to produce insulin. More doctors are prescribing insulin therapy for patients with type 2 diabetes to improve their blood sugar control, especially if they don’t respond to oral medications.
Regardless of the type of therapy, treating the symptoms of diabetes requires motivation and willingness to make the necessary lifestyle changes to reduce the risk of future complications.
References:
Am Fam Physician. 1999 May 15;59(10):2835-2844.
Up to Date. “Diabetes Mellitus Type 2: Treatment”