The diabetes is an incurable disease characterized by hyperglycemia chronic. Its treatment depends on the patient and the type of diabetes . The goal is to maintain blood sugar below "normal values" to prevent the risk of complications .
Diabetes treatment combines hygienic-dietetic rules, drug treatment and regular monitoring.
The hygieno-dietetic rules are essential to the good observance of the treatment of diabetes. They involve modifying their eating habits and those of those around them in order to encourage the fight against “junk food”, sedentary lifestyles and weight gain. To achieve this, the help of a nutritionist is advised.
Hygienic-dietetic rules
The patient must adopt a diet low in sugars and fatty acids and favor foods with a low hypoglycemic index (vegetables, fish, vegetable oils). Intakes of carbohydrates in protein and lipids should be distributed in balanced proportions in the 3 main meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner). The consumption of alcohol and tobacco must also be stopped.
These dietary rules must be accompanied by regular physical activity to reduce or maintain your healthy weight and thus limit cardiovascular risks.
Drug treatment
Controlling his diabetes implies strict compliance with the treatment: the patient should never modify or stop his treatment without medical advice. In case of complications related to the disease or the appearance of undesirable effects due to the drug, it is imperative to consult your doctor.
The treatment of diabetes depends on the type of diabetes and the course of the disease.
In type 1 diabetes , insulin is still needed in the body to regulate blood sugar. Two solutions are available to insulin-dependent diabetics:
of injections regular insulin with a pen or syringe injectors, an insulin pump for continuous administration.
Note : Insulin's are destroyed when passing through the stomach. This is
why, they do not exist in the form of tablets and are only available in inject able form.
The frequency and type of insulin injected (fast-acting insulin, long-acting insulin) are adapted according to the patient's profile . The injection area depends on the type of insulin: the abdomen for fast-acting insulin's, the thigh or buttocks for slow-acting insulin's, the shoulders for intermediate-acting insulin's.
The daily dose of insulin depends on many factors such as weight, age, physical activity, condition of the injection areas, lifestyle. It must be reassessed regularly. Injecting too much insulin causes hypoglycemia, which is characterized by sudden drops in energy.
Dietary and hygienic measures may be enough to regulate the blood sugar level of a type 2 diabetic . Otherwise, the doctor prescribes oral anti diabetics which must be taken with meals.
There are several families of anti-diabetics who differ in their mechanisms of action:
Treatment very often begins with an oral antidiabetic (sulphonylureas or biguanides). If the results are insufficient, 2 oral antidiabetics are associated. It is sometimes imperative to add a third oral antidiabetic or insulin to balance the sugar level. In high Risk diabetics doctors suggest Edema boots that gives a delicate touch as though your feet are unwinding on the pad. Diabetic swell sox highlight cotton weave structure that offers breathability and a free fit on the legs.
Regular monitoring
In order to stabilize the development of diabetes, the patient must first of all be aware of the risks linked to this disease and of the importance of respecting hygieno-dietetic rules. The self-monitoring blood glucose is participating in this awareness because it allows for the impact of diet and physical activity on blood sugar. For more information, do not hesitate to consult our advice sheet " Diabetes: how to measure your blood sugar at home?" "
The patient must also regularly consult his doctor (several times a year) to follow the evolution of the disease. The consultations will allow the doctor to practice clinical examinations (weight control, blood pressure, etc.), to prescribe biological assessments (glycated hemoglobin, cholesterol level, etc.) and, if necessary, to direct the patient towards specialists ( cardiologist , diabetologist, ophthalmologist, podiatrist ...) for additional examinations.