What Type of Medicine Do You Take When You Have Diabetes?

There are several treatments for type 2 diabetes, and people diagnosed with diabetes should follow all instructions from their health care provider. It's important to stick with your treatment plan to avoid additional complications from diabetes including:

• Heart disease and stroke;
• Skin problems;
• Foot pain;
• Slow healing;
• Eye problems;
• Kidney disease;
• Nerve pain.

Proper care and maintenance of diabetes is paramount to good health. Naturally, a healthy, well-balanced diet and regular exercise can go a long ways towards managing diabetes. However sometimes it's not enough and medication may be required.

Diabetes Medicines

Most type 2 diabetics still produce insulin. Your doctor may prescribe "diabetes pills" (oral medications) to help control your blood glucose levels. Many types of pills are available - some have even been found effective in reducing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes (when combined with proper diet and regular exercise) in people yet to be diagnosed!

Other medications have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. One of the most commonly-used medications is called Metformin, which can be used by itself or in conjunction with insulin. Different medications can do different things, like:

• Help your body produce more insulin;
• Help your body use insulin better;
• Help control your blood sugar levels;
• Help to slow down the absorption of sugar so that your blood sugar stays lower.

Consult with your doctor to determine the best course of medication for your individual situation.

Sometimes a pill isn't effective enough and your doctor will prescribe insulin. Insulin can be administered with a needle, an insulin pump, or an insulin jet injector.

The importance of a suitable diet and regular exercise cannot be emphasized enough. Both can lessen the need for medication or insulin.

Other Remedies

Although it is wise to get advice from your doctor before any treatment, there are some remedies out there that may provide relief. Plants such as onion and garlic, ginseng and cinnamon can possibly lower blood sugar and supplement your treatment. Some dietary alternatives can help control blood sugar naturally. All forms of exercise are beneficial, but one study found that hill walking naturally lowers blood sugar.

Lifestyle changes should be tried first, if possible, to see if they are enough to keep your diabetes well-managed. If they are not, or if there is difficulty making these changes, then diabetes medicine may be needed.