Diabetes Treatment in form of medications should be something to learn about. Although natural treatment may be recommended, it does not solve nearly all complications brought about by the difficulty of insulin production in the body. What diabetic patients need is to find a drug that can help their pancreas increase insulin output to their bodies and at the same time, decrease some production of it from being absorbed by other organs. That is why there seems to be a long list of medications given to diabetics — some in-charge for balancing the sugar levels, some increasing it and some, lowering it.
Diabetes Treatment Medications are intended for what? You see, this kind of disease is quite tricky so proper medical attention should be administered at all times by a physician. For starters, there are the Sulfonylureas. Their main duty is to lower glucose levels therefore allowing the release of insulin. Several years ago, the only available kinds of such medications were the chlorpropamides and tolbutamides but after the creation of more powerful drugs, the glipizide and glimepiride were introduced in the market. They are known to effectively prevent Hypoglycemia which happens to be the abnormally low levels of blood sugar in the body.
Diabetes Treatment medications that were previously mentioned have newer variations and formulations that have already reached the markets — in the form of meglitinides. These drugs work like the glipizides and glimepirides since it is active for a shorter period of time as compared to the sulfonylureas. This means that the patient should take the medications for three times a day before they take their meals. One disadvantage of taking them exclusively is that they may lower sugar levels resulting to Hypoglycemia. These kinds of medications are of course prescribed by physicians only after a series of blood works and other examinations.
You have to always bear in mind that it is not advised at all to self-medicate should you overheard a friend, a relative or even a co-worker who has Diabetes and are taking those mentioned drugs since they seem be sharing quite similar symptoms.
Diabetes treatment is one health problem that has been the topics of a certain number of studies now. Past researches have provided results, and up until now, the search for other means of treatment for this disease is still on its peak.
One of the many treatments discovered is the means of alternative therapies. The following are the alternative therapies used in treating diabetes.
• Water therapy is one of these alternatives. Water is best in cleaning our body and in flushing out of toxins. It is also effective in lowering the sugar level in blood.
• Weight loss is another means recommended for diabetes. Weight has always been associated with diabetes. Weight loss in terms of exercise and proper diet are both suggested. There are also other weight loss products considered as means of alternative therapy that can help treat diabetic people.
• Supplements like chromium, magnesium, and vanadium are used to control glucose, or sugar, inside our bodies. These supplements are yet to be recommended for issues about their benefits against risks.
• A lot of plant foods are beneficial to diabetic people. Quite a good number of plant foods rich in fiber are good in controlling the glucose levels in blood. Garlic, ginger, hawthorn, and nettle are some herbs being proposed as diabetes treatment. However, these are still yet to be clinically proven. Sage, peas, buckwheat, okra, brewer’s yeast, fenugreek seeds, broccoli and other related greens are some of the plant foods found to help those with type 2 diabetes.
A lot of herbal stimulants for diabetes have been banned due to issues about their side effects. While herbs are said to be effective in most cases, talking to the doctor first is still very important. Herbal stimulants for diabetes were found to have positive effects. However, to some people, the side effects were greater, resulting to other health problems such as urinary infection, high blood pressure, insomnia, and glaucoma. Some of these herbal stimulants were also associated to stroke.
The following are guides when considering using herbal products.
• Be sure to consult your doctor. Discuss with him or her all medications including herbal products. Even herbs can be dangerous when taken without approval from your doctor. Herbal products are indeed natural; however there are still side effects that might be harmful to your health.
• Side effects like skin rashes, nausea, vomiting, anxiety, insomnia, rapid heartbeat, or diarrhea should be discussed with your doctor.
• When choosing a herbal product, as much as possible, avoid those made of more than one herb, unless with the approval from your doctor.
• Herbal products should be backed up with information that is scientific-based.
• Even herbal products expire. Be sure to have the expiration date in mind. Also, keep in mind the potential side effects. Know the herb used in the product, and also the manufacturer.
There are a lot more alternative therapies that are said to help treat diabetes like acupuncture. When considering any of these, ensure that you know how it works, including its potential risk.
What is Diabetes and the two types of it?
Diabetes is a metabolic disorder syndrome that leads to higher levels of glucose or sugar in ones body. Diabetes is generally classified as either Type 1 or what is called juvenile diabetes and Type 2. Type 1 diabetes is mainly the inability of one body to produce insulin which is used to manage sugar levels in our system. Type 2 diabetes on the other hand produces insulin but not in adequate quantities for body needs.
Is Diabetes curable and why should one be worried about it?
There are internet sites which claim to cure diabetes which is really false and misleading. At present there are no known cure for diabetes. There are diabetes treatments though which can greatly minimize the effects of diabetes. Diabetes needs to be treated simply because if one leaves it as it is and does nothing, it can lead to disastrous side effectives like blindness, coma or even death.
There are many instances that people need to amputate their limbs simply because of high level of their diabetes.
How does one get Diabetes?
If your parent’s family has a history of diabetes then there is that probability that you will also have diabetes. High percentage of diabetes is said to be hereditary in nature. Others get diabetes to obesity, from consumption of sweeten products (high sugar intake) and from stress.
What is the treatment for Juvenile Diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes is sometimes known as juvenile diabetes because of the high occurrence in kids. Direct insulin injection is a must for juvenile diabetes treatment and should not be stopped. Most of the time one must inject itself 2 to 3 times a day. A healthy diet is recommended in order to control high level of diabetes.
What are the other kinds of treatments for Diabetes?
Aside from medicine to control or induce insulin in our body, there are many studies in the field of natural diabetes treatment which is said to have a good effect in controlling high levels of diabetes. There are herbal supplements one can take for diabetes. Another study pertaining hydrotherapy wherein type two diabetic patients where told to soak in a tub of hot water for 30 minutes a day, six days a week was effective in controlling high glucose levels.
The best natural diabetes treatment so far is a healthy diet which means knowing what food to eat and what to avoid plus a good exercise regime is said to be the most effective ways of controlling diabetes.
Do not overeat, if one has diabetes the more you eat the higher your blood sugar level goes up. Avoid food with saturated fats like meat and dairy products like butter. Sweet and sugar products like candies, chocolate, jams, juice drinks, pastries and cakes, alcohol, coffee and tea are likewise not suitable for diabetics. Even white bread should be avoided as studies have shown that white flour has alloxan which destroys the beta cells of the pancreas where insulin is produced.
Eating whole fruits like citrus fruits rather than the juice it more recommend. Fruits like strawberry, peaches, pears and apricot are also good as they contain lots of vitamins and minerals. Milk products are good for diabetics because it has lots of calcium, protein and vitamins. Low fat products like yogurt can be consumed by diabetics. Vegetables (high fiber foods) are highly recommended for diabetics as they contain less fat. For white meat, chicken and fish areokay plus eggs and cheese. As long as one can control food intake and have a good and healthy diet, there are some diabetics who can do without medicine to control their insulin levels.
Diabetes is a disease a lifelong disease whose cure has not been found yet. It is one of the serious illnesses presently plaguing the society and burdening people, their loved ones, and governments. It has not been fully discovered yet what exactly causes the disease but genetics, environmental factors, and lifestyle play a vital role in the development of this disease.
Diabetes occurs when the pancreas malfunctions and not enough insulin is produced or when insulin is not used properly. Insulin is the essential hormone that breaks down glucose into essential energy that the systems in the body need to carry out their functions. As a result a condition called hyperglycemia occurs because of the abnormal level of glucose. This eventually damages the nerves and blood vessels and fatal complications like heart disease and stroke, kidney malfunction and blindness occur.
This illness currently afflicts close to 250 million around the world and is now fast becoming a pandemic. This figure only represents those who have been diagnosed with the disease. In the US there are now and estimated 17 million diabetics.
Nature
Type 1 Diabetes, formerly known juvenile diabetes is one of two types of diabetes. In this type of the disease, the pancreas is unable to produce the hormone insulin thus glucose and starches are not converted to the needed energy form compared to type 2 diabetes where the body can still produce insulin however, it is not used properly. Type is also called insulin-dependent diabetes. It is usually found occurring among children, teenagers, and young adults but it can occur at any age. Symptoms of this type include increased thirst because of frequent urination weight loss even if appetite is normal, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fatigue, and in women, the absence of menstruation. If these signs become marked, one should seek medical consultation so that proper tests are administered.
Tests are then done to diagnose the disease. Two initial tests are, urinalysis and blood tests, are done to check glucose and ketone bodies. Fasting blood glucose test shows normal blood sure level at not higher done 126 mg/dL. Insulin test is also administered. In C-peptide test, diabetes is diagnosed when the there is low or undetectable level of protein C-peptide, a by-product of insulin production.
Treatment
Initial treatment for newly diagnosed people with diabetes might require them to be hospitalized due to the sudden and severe symptoms at the onset of the disease. Proper care and treatment is needed if diagnosed patients wants to prolong his life, reduce the symptoms, and avoid the severe complications such as cardio-vascular diseases, blindness, kidney failure, and amputation of limbs due to wounds that would not heal.
Regular Insulin Intake: Because in this type of diabetes the body cannot produce its own needed insulin, insulin needs to taken in one to four times a day. Commonly it is entered through the body by injection it under the skin. In other cases, it is also inhaled.
Diet and Diet Plan: A healthy and balanced diet for patients is extremely important since the food taken in must work properly with the insulin intake to properly regulate glucose levels.
Physical Exercise: Equally important is regular exercise because it helps in burning excess calories and fat. It also boosts the other parts of the treatment in regulating blood sugar level to achieve a healthy weight.
Another thing recommended for patients would be self-blood glucose monitoring to check if diet, medications, and exercise programs are going well with each other in controlling the sugar level in the body. Regular simple self-administered tests will provide information to the patient and help him adjust the diet plan, medication, and exercise programs. Since diabetes destroys the nerves and blood vessels, it could make the patient numb to injury and wounds might go unnoticed especially in the feet until the infection could lead to amputation of the affected area that is why a foot care program is also recommended.
The regular monitoring program includes of course regular visit medical professionals that specialize in the disease: diabetes educator, ophthalmologist to check signs of diabetic retinopathy or eye complications, dentist (who is informed of the disease) for dental cleaning and exam, feet inspection by the diabetic health care provider.
With all these plans religiously done by the person afflicted with the disease, he can still manage to live a healthy and happy life and enjoy it to its fullest with his loved-ones.
When a person is diagnosed with diabetes, initial treatments would include managing nutrition and diet, regular physical exercise, and in extreme cases, medication and regular insulin treatments. Along with medications, it is vital that a patient follows a strict regimen on managing weight and sticking to a recommended dietary plan. Over the years though, natural remedies or diabetes herbal remedies have become most popularly recommended as alternative treatment to diabetes even by the medical world. Among these natural alternative methods is the use of herbal plants.
Since ancient times, long before patented drugs were invented out of clinical studies funded by pharmaceutical companies, medical practitioners have already sought the intrinsic power of herbal remedy plants. Most documented are ancient Chinese and the Ayurvedic (Sri Lankan monks and Indian doctors) medical treatment. Modern medicine also includes herbal remedies as natural alternatives and supplements to the treatment and management of diabetes and its complications.
The following are the most common diabetes herbal remedies recommended by diabetes specialists: Cinnamon, Bitter Gourd or Bitter Melon, Fenugreek, seeds of the Jamun, Gulair, Coriander Lettuce, Red Rose & Fennel plants, Milk Thistle or Sylimarin, Ginko Biloba, European Blueberry, Gymnema Sylvestre, and Banaba.
· Cinnamon. Methylhydroxy chalcone polymer (MHCP) is the active ingredient found in this herbal plant. Science found that an intake of half a teaspoon of cinnamon twice a day helps improve the efficiency of insulin and according to experts it might even triple the body’s sensitivity to the role of insulin in converting glucose into energy. It also contains antioxidants that help fight the damaging effects of diabetes to the body.
· Bitter Gourd or Bitter Melon. This herbal plant has been the most commonly used traditional treatment for diabetes especially in countries in the tropics where this plant abounds. It was discovered to have blood sugar lowering ingredients. There are two active ingredients in this herbal plant. They are Charantin and Momordica. Charantin works potently like hypoglycemic drugs. Momordica on the other hand possesses capabilities that decrease blood glucose levels, the role that insulin does in the body. Homemade preparations and intake include crushing the leaves to extract the juice and an ounce of it twice a day is enough for the therapy.
· Fenugreek. Like Bitter Melon, the juice of this plant is extracted and taken most recommended in the morning. This has been found effective to treat the early stages of diabetes.
· Seeds of Jamun, Gulair, Coriander Lettuce, Red Rose & Fennel Plants. Powder is extracted from the seeds of these plants and then mixed altogether to form the formulation, which is taken twice a day.
· Milk Thistle or Sylimarin. This plant usually grows wild and the seeds from its flower are extracted and manufactured into either tablet or capsule form. Aside from its potency in cases of liver cirrhosis, tumors, prostate and lung cancer, it has also found to have capabilities of lowering down blood sugar levels in diabetic conditions. Its normal dosage is one capsule or tablet, ranging from 200-800 mg, per day.
· Ginkgo Biloba. The use of this plant as an herbal remedy traces its roots to traditional Chinese medicine. The medice is extracted from its leaf and it is administered in standard dosage of 40-80 mg, three times a day. It has found to have effects on the prevention and early treatment of diabetes aside from its potency in improving the flow of blood in the peripheral tissues of the nerves in the arms, legs, hands, and feet.
· Blueberry. The leaves of this plant have also found to have active ingredients that are powerful in getting rid of excessive sugar in the blood aside from its power to relieve inflammation of the bladder, kidney, and prostate. To extract the juice, leaves are boiled. Three cups a day is recommended to have its power in full blast. This is one of the herbal remedies that are found effective, non-toxic, and have tremendous cases of efficiency.
· Banaba. The leaves of this crepe myrtle variety are also effective in handling glucose and lowering down blood sugar. It has also become a popular ingredient in weight-loss products. This plant grows wild in the
· Gymnema Sylvestre. Called the “sugar destroyer”, this plant is native to the tropics of
Indeed, nature always provides countless cures and remedies to various diseases and herbal remedy have been in use for countless years. In the treatment of diabetes, it has become undoubtedly one effective part of relieving the damaging effects but a holistic approach should always be considered. This includes proper awareness of the disease, strict nutrition regimen, adequate physical exercise, and religious monitoring of blood glucose level with the guidance of a medical professional.
We all know bitter melon as a vegetable but it is also known as a traditional Chinese medicine. Scientists recently discovered that the therapeutic properties in bitter melon can be a powerful treatment for type 2 diabetes.
Researchers pulped about a ton of fresh bitter melon and extracted four very promising bioactive components. All of these four compounds appear to activate the enzyme AMPK, a protein that is well known for regulating the fuel metabolism and enabling glucose uptake.
Type 2 diabetics have impaired ability to convert the sugar in their blood into energy in their muscles. This is partly due to not producing enough insulin, and partly because of their fat and muscle cells not using insulin effectively, a condition known as ‘insulin resistance’.
Exercise can activate AMPK in muscle, which then mediates the movement of glucose transporters to the cell surface, a very important step in the uptake of glucose from the circulation into tissues in the body. This is the single biggest reason for which exercise is recommended as part of the normal treatment program for someone with Type 2 diabetes. Four compounds extracted from bitter melon perform a very similar action to that of exercise, in that they activate AMPK.
There are diabetes drugs on the market that can activate AMPK but can have side effects. The advantage of this traditional Chinese medicine bitter melon is that there are no known side effects. Practitioners of Chinese herbal medicine have used it for hundreds of years to good effect.
In a Message to Canadians, Health Canada, the Competition Bureau, the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Canadian Diabetes Association warns Canadians about the scams floating around regarding so called miracle cures for diabetes.
No. Today, diabetes can be managed, but there is no cure for diabetes yet. Any product that claims to be a miracle cure for diabetes is a fraud that could cheat you of time, money and most importantly, your health.
There are many scams designed to prey on consumers with diabetes who are hoping to find solutions to living with this chronic disease.
Until researchers find a cure, the only safe way to manage diabetes is to follow the treatment program designed by your health care practitioner.
Approximately two million Canadians have diabetes. Diabetes occurs when the body can’t produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that ensures your body gets the energy it needs to work. Over time, diabetes can lead to complications such as blindness, heart disease, kidney failure, limb amputations, nerve damage and erectile dysfunction. The risk of longterm complications can be reduced through effective health care, education and selfmanagement.
There are three types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes, usually diagnosed in chi?dren and adolescents, occurs when the body makes little or no insulin. Type 2 diabetes, the most common form, occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body does not effectively use the insulin produced. Type 2 diabetes usually develops in adulthood, although increasing numbers of children in highrisk populations (i.e. Aboriginal, Asian, Hispanic and African) are being diagnosed.
The third type of diabetes, known as gestational diabetes, is a temporary condition that develops during pregnancy but disappears after the baby is born. Both mother and child have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
Lifestyle changes can help prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes. Healthy eating, weight control and physical activity are important prevention steps. Type 1 diabetes is always treated with insulin.
Type 2 diabetes is managed through physical activity and meal planning and may require medications and/or insulin to help your body make or use insulin more effectively.
Be skeptical: if it looks too good to be true, it probably is! There is no pill, herb or “all natural” health product that will miraculously cure diabetes.
Here are some tips on spotting scams:
Consult your health care practitioner before trying any new treatment. A doctor, nurse, or health care professional who knows your medical condition is your best source of information.
Consumers should be aware that, before a health product can be advertised or sold in Canada, the manufacturer must first provide Health Canada with evidence that the product is safe and of high quality. The product must also perform as claimed. Drugs and natural health products that are authorized for sale in Canada will have either an eightdigit Drug Identification Number (DIN), a Natural Product Number (NPN) or a Homeopathic Medicine Number (DINHM) on the label. These numbers indicate that the products have been assessed by Health Canada for safety, effectiveness and quality.
Under the Food and Drugs Act, no person is permitted to package, treat, process, sell or advertise any drug in a manner that is false, misleading or deceptive or is likely to create an erroneous impression regarding its character, value, quantity, composition, merit or safety.
The Competition Bureau is responsible for the administration and enforcement of the Competition Act as well as three labelling statutes that ensure Canadians are provided with acc?rate and meaningful information to make informed purchasing decisions. Under the Competition Act, all advertisers must ensure that their claims are true and accurate prior to putting their products on the market. In particular, performance claims made for the promotion of a product must be true and must be based on adequate and proper tests, such as those undertaken by an accredited scientific facility or recognized expert.
The mission of the Public Health Agency of Canada is to promote and protect the health of Canadians through leadership, partnership, innovation and action in public health. The Agency focusses on effective efforts to prevent chronic diseases, like diabetes, cancer and heart disease, to prevent injuries and to respond to public health emergencies and infectious disease outbreaks. The Public Health Agency of Canada works closely with the provinces and territories to keep Canadians healthy and help reduce pressures on the health care system.
If you have questions or would like file a complaint relating to a diabetes product or scam, contact:
Information Centre Competition Bureau
50 Victoria Street
Gatineau QC K1A 0C9
Toll-free: 1-800-348-5358
National Capital Region: 819-997-4282
TDD (for hearing impaired):
1-800-642-3844
Diabetics have traditionally had to inject themselves with insulin on a daily basis to manage their illness.
Current studies show that a fear of, or reluctance to use needles makes sufferers delay treatment of diabetes for an average of four years, leading to devastating and costly complications such as heart disease, kidney failure, or even blindness.
Now, with the arrival of Exubera, manufactured by Pfizer, diabetics in the UAE will be able to use the insulin inhalation dry powder and avoid the inconvenience of regular and often painful daily injections.
Pfizer has also welcomed the timely approval of the new medication, which has been hailed as one of the biggest steps forward since the discovery of insulin in 1922 by doctors who treat diabetes.
‘Many diabetics have to make the procedure of self-administering insulin by injection a major part of their daily routine, out of necessity rather than convenience or choice. The approval of an insulin inhaler which can be administered in a matter of seconds will undoubtedly impact the lives of diabetics,’ said Dr. Ahmed Al Hakim, external affairs and policy director for Pfizer Middle East.
The registration of Exubera was approved in January 2007 after it was examined by the Ministry’s Higher Drugs Registration Committee.
The approval is a major development in the fight against diabetes in the UAE, where 19.5 per cent of the population aged between 20 and 70 are diabetic. Studies predict the number of diabetes cases in the UAE will increase to approximately 22 per cent by the year 2025.
Exubera is expected to be available for the treatment of type 1 and type 2 diabetes among adults later this year. The inhalation powder was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for use at the beginning of 2006.
Caraco Pharmaceutical Laboratories Ltd. said it received tentative approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration for the company’s Abbreviated New Drug Application for Repaglinide Tablets USP.
The Detroit-based generic drug company said Repaglinide works by lowering the blood glucose in patients with type 2 diabetes whose hyperglycemia can’t be controlled properly by diet and exercise alone.
Caraco, whose majority owner is Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. of Mumbai, India, said doses that were approved the by FDA were 0.5 mg, 1 mg and 2 mg tablets. The tentative approval is the bioequivalent to Prandin ®, registered trademark of Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals Inc.
“We are extremely pleased to receive this tentative approval,” said Daniel Movens, Caraco’s Chief Executive Officer in a statement. “We believe we have a first to file position on Repaglinide, which could result in 180-day marketing exclusivity. The product was filed with a Paragraph IV certification that we do not infringe and or that the Novo Nordisk patent is invalid. We are under current litigation with Novo Nordisk and expect a favorable conclusion.”
A new drug for people with a certain type of diabetes will treat the condition without some of the common side-effects of existing drugs, a pharmaceutical firm said today.
Merck Sharp & Dohme Ireland today launched its drug Januvia, which it said was the first new class of medicine for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in more than five years.
In this type of diabetes, the pancreas still produces some insulin, but not enough to meet the body’s needs, or the insulin that is produced is not working very well.
The hormone insulin is vital to help the liver process glucose and fats. Diabetes, if untreated or improperly treated, can cause serious problems such as kidney disease and blindness and may result in the sufferer having limbs amputated.
It tends to occur in older people. According to Merck, about 85 to 90 per cent of all those with diabetes have type 2. The remainder have type I, where the pancreas completely stops producing insulin.
The once-a-day prescription drug, known as a DPP-4 inhibitor, enhances the body’s own natural mechanisms to significantly lower blood sugar, the company claims.
“It also has a far lower incidence of the side effects commonly associated with some of the other existing therapies.”
“DPP-4 inhibitors are an important breakthrough and offer an innovative approach to treating type 2 diabetes, a disease that is rapidly increasing in prevalence in Ireland and across the world,” said Dr Graham Roberts, consultant endocrinologist, Waterford Regional Hospital.
“Almost two out of three adults being treated for type 2 diabetes are not reaching their target blood sugar levels, which can then lead to serious complications, such as heart disease, kidney problems and diabetes-related blindness.3 These complications can be completely avoided if the glucose is treated to correct target levels.”
Dr Roberts said Januvia is “a welcome new treatment option which effectively lowers blood sugar when it is too high, without unwanted side effects such as low blood sugar and weight gain”.
A survey by Ipsos MORI of 100 people with type 2 diabetes, published with Merck’s announcement today, said nearly one in four people (24 per cent) surveyed felt their disease was not properly controlled.
One in six (16 per cent) said they found it difficult to live with their medication’s side effects, with one in three (31 per cent) feeling their medication had made them gain weight when they were trying to lose it.
Just over a fifth (22 per cent) said that diabetes was taking over their life.
“In Ireland 200,000 adults have diabetes - enough to fill Croke Park more than twice over,” said Anna Clarke, diabetes nurse specialist with the Diabetes Federation of Ireland.
“Many people can reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes by maintaining a healthy lifestyle. For those who have developed it, they need to take a proactive role in managing their condition in order to prevent associated complications which can heavily impact on their quality of life.”