Diabetes is a chronic endocrine disorder that can be effectively managed through a variety of treatment options. In the simplest terms, the condition occurs when the body fails to produce any or enough insulin to process glucose that is ingested in the form of carbohydrates and sugars. In certain types of diabetes, the body may also be resistant to the levels of insulin produced. While there is no cure for diabetes, there are a host medications a diabetic may utilize to manage their glucose levels.
Medication Type: Insulin
The primary form of medicine for all diabetics is insulin. To assist in the assimilation of glucose, a diabetic may inject insulin that has been harvested from an animal with a similar protein structure, such as a cow, just before, during, or after the injection of food containing glucose. There are several types of insulin available, depending on the diabetic's need: long acting insulin will be released slowly over an hour or two, rapid acting insulin starts acting within 10 minutes, and immediate acting insulin starts processing glucose within two to three minutes. Insulin may be injected directly into the bloodstream. Insulin is a hormone the body needs in order to transport sugar from the bloodstream into the cells, where it can be used.
Medication Type: Sulfonylureas
There are also several oral medications that meet the needs of diabetics who suffer from decreased insulin production or insulin resistance. They are not typically effective on individuals who suffer from Type I diabetes, which is an autoimmune condition that prevents the pancreas from producing any insulin at all. One of the most common types of oral medications prescribed is sulfonylureas pills. This type of medication, known better under the brand names of Glucotrol and DiaBeta, stimulate the pancreas to produce more insulin, therefore lowering glucose levels in the blood.
Medication Type: Alpha Glucosidase Inhibitors
The brand name pills Glyset and Precose are both a type of diabetes medication called an alpha glucosidase inhibitors. AGIs reduce the body's production of starch digesting enzymes, meaning that it takes the body longer to digest glucose. The result is the slow release of glucose into the bloodstream instead, which helps a diabetic keep blood sugar levels normal. These may be combined with sulfonylureas tablets to effectively maintain blood sugar.
Medication Type: Thiazolidinediones
Thiazolidinediones, available under the brand names Actos and Avandia, help stimulate insulin production in the pancreas and increase the effectiveness of insulin in fat and muscle blood vessels. These types of blood vessels commonly store high levels of sugar and are most resistant to insulin, and this type of drug works within the structure of the cells to make them more susceptible to it.
Medication Type: Biguanides
One of the most well known brand name diabetes pills, Glucophage, is classified as a biguanides. This type of medication is essentially an insulin facilitator that works with the current insulin the body produces and helps it process glucose more effectively and more quickly. Glucophage is often combined with alpha glucosidase inhibitors and can make a drastic difference in a diabetic's need for injected insulin.
Tags: Medication Type, acting insulin, acting insulin starts, alpha glucosidase inhibitors, blood sugar, blood vessels, brand name
