I emailed Jeff to tell him that I would be interested, and here is the post, as sent to me.
********Please note that this post is not intended as medical advice. It is for informational purposes only. Do not stop any medications you may be taking without first talking to your Health Care Professional. Do your own research and feel free to copy this article and bring it with you to your appointment.*******
Type 2 Diabetes Treatment Options
If you have
diabetes, your treatment options can sometimes seem overwhelming. However, they
can seem less complex if you consider your overall health, glucose levels and
lifestyle.
The most basic
form of treatment for type 2 diabetes is diet and exercise. Patients who can
effectively lower their glucose levels with diet and exercise will still have
to keep a close eye on their condition, but will not have to approach other
treatment methods as long as this method works.
People will type
1 diabetes require insulin injections, either through shots or a pump. The
insulin enters the bloodstream and enables the cells to use sugar.
Often, people
with type 2 diabetes will need more than diet and exercise to manage their
glucose levels. These people should discuss their medication options with their
doctor to learn about the risks involved one example being a study that has
linked Actos and bladder cancer.
There are several
medications that manage glucose in different ways. Before starting any
medication, individuals should research the potential risks and warnings.
Medications such
as Amaryl, which is a sulfonylurea drug, and Prandin, which is in the meglitinide
family of drugs, stimulate the pancreas to release more insulin. With these
medications — and most diabetes medications — you will want to watch for dips
in blood-sugar levels.
Metformin is one
of the most popular diabetes medications. It maintains glucose levels by
decreasing glucose production in the liver, and is often prescribed in
combination with another drug.
Actos is the
best-selling diabetes drug of all time. It’s part of the group of drugs known
as thiazolidinediones, which reduce glucose production in the liver while
increasing the effectiveness of insulin in muscle and fat.
Unfortunately,
Actos carries a black-box warning for its link to heart failure. And in 2011,
studies revealed that Actos increases the risk of bladder cancer by 40 percent
in patients who take it for more than a year which has led to many filing Actos lawsuits.
Actos can also
cause eye disease and bone fractures.
Talk to your
doctor about these risks before you take Actos. If you’re already taking Actos,
you should ask your doctor about an alternative medication. Never stop taking a
medication unless your doctor tells you to.
Precose and
other alpha glucosidase inhibitors block the breakdown of starches in the body.
They are usually taken at the beginning of a meal, and cause the rise of
glucose to slow after eating.
Finally, DPP-4
inhibitors allow a natural compound that reduces glucose levels to stay in the
body for a longer period of time.
Diabetes
treatments and medications are always evolving. Each type 2 diabetes patient
has a different situation and lifestyle that could call for a different
treatment option. Patients should talk to their doctor about which option is
right for them.
Author Bio:
Jennifer Mesko is an editor for Drugwatch.com.
She draws on her journalism background to keep consumers informed about drug
safety and other relevant news.
