Type 2 Diabetes Treatment. 

A doctor may prescribe medications or insulin therapy if diet and exercise do not lower glucose levels. A diet that emphasizes lean protein, vegetables, fruits, and whole grains will offer high nutritional value. 

For type two diabetes, as long as your body makes enough insulin, you wont need insulin injections.

A type 2 diabetic will require education on how to calculate carbohydrates and understand their impact on blood sugar levels.

Sometimes lifestyle modifications like a well planned diet, exercise, and daily monitoring of glucose levels are sufficient to keep type two under control in the early years. However, it is always a good idea that in the later years, incorporating daily exercise and physical activity are part of a diabetic’s healthy lifestyle.

Although it's a potentially life threatening condition, people with well manage diabetes can expect to live full lives.

When diet and exercise alone does not manage type 2 diabetes, there are a number of medications available to patients.

Biguanides is used to improve how insulin moves sugar into muscle cells.

They also inhibit the release of stored sugar from the liver. Metformin, Glucophage, Fortamet, and Glumetza are examples of this medication.

Sulfonylureas are formulated to activate the pancreas to increase the release of insulin.

Examples are Glucotrol, glyburide, Amaryl, and glipizide. Sulfonylureas can reduce A1C levels up to two percent.

Thiazolidinediones increase insulin’s effectiveness by reducing insulin resistance in the tissues of muscle and fat.

They also work to reduce the quantity of sugar the liver releases and increase fat cell insulin sensitivity.

Actos and Avandia are classified as thiazolidinediones. The FDA has recently implemented restrictions on Avandia use due to increased cardiovascular side effects.

Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors function by blocking the enzymes that aid in starch digestion; therefore, blood sugar levels rise slowly.

Precose and Glyset are examples of this medication.

Meglitinide is used to generate an increase in the amount of insulin released.

The amount of insulin released is directly affected by a high level of blood glucose. Examples of meglitinide pills are Prandin and Starlix.

Dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitors increase insulin release from the pancreas. They also reduce the production of sugar. This medication is formulated to respond to high blood sugar by triggering the pancreas to release insulin.

Dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitors also communicate with the liver to deter the production of excess sugar. Januvia and Onglyza fall into this category.

There are also medications that are specially combined to treat type two diabetes.

One pill can contain both a sulfonylurea and metformin.

One example is Glucovance, a combination of metformin and glyburide.

In some cases or in people who experience beta-cell failure, insulin may be required for maintaining controlled glucose levels. Beta-cell failure occurs when the islet cells are unable to release insulin when glucose levels rise.

Complications of Type 2 Diabetes.

Uncontrolled blood glucose level can lead to similar acute conditions found in type 1 diabetics.

Hyperglycemia, diabetic ketoacidosis, and hypoglycemia can occur in all diabetics.

Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic syndrome is a life-threatening situation that is characterized by the blood glucose reading over 600 mg/dL, extreme thirst, dry mouth, and a temperature of 101 degrees or more.

 A person will likely experience confusion, loss of vision, drowsiness, and dark colored urine. 

Untreated, diabetes can cause long-term complications that affect almost every part of the body.