New treatments for diabetes

Are you afflicted with Type 2 diabetes? If so, you live in a lucky time. While there is not yet a cure for any form of diabetes, there are many different medications which have recently come out to help people with Type 2 diabetes live a more normal, healthy life. Several different types of medications have been released to help control your blood sugar level. The principle problem with diabetes is the variance in blood sugar levels, and helping to correct this problem is the best way to avoid the dangerous complications that may occur in a diabetes sufferer. Type 1 diabetes sufferers rely on external sources of insulin because their pancreas refuses to create its own insulin. Type 2 diabetes patients have no problems with producing insulin; their bodies just refuse to use the insulin they have. Both of these issues can cause blood sugar rates to skyrocket to dangerous levels and plummet to levels which can also be quite harmful to health. People with Type 2 diabetes have a host of different available oral medications to help treat their problem.

All medications that are used to help offset the side-effects of diabetes should be properly prescribed by a doctor. Certain medications may not help some individuals, while others can be dangerous to consume. There are five different kinds of medicine that are offered to help treat diabetes: Sulfonylureas, Metformin, Troglitazone, Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors, and Repaglinide.

Sulfonylureas are commonly marketed under the brand names Glucotrol and Micronase. This treatment is the most commonly used medication in conjunction with Type 2 diabetes. Sulfonylureas are generally inexpensive and are known to have a low occurrence of side effects. This medicine works to help your body to produce more insulin, and it is often prescribed in conjunction with one of the other types of medications for the best result. However, some people are allergic to Sulfonylureas, and this is an important aspect to consider before beginning a regimen.

Metformin is sold under the brand name Glucophage. These pills are used to help diabetes sufferers who are overweight. Known to help with weight problems, Metformin aids the body in processing insulin. Often taken with a Sulfonylurea, side effects that are commonly associated with Metformin include diarrhea and/or nausea.

Troglitazone is a compound which also helps the body to make use of the insulin that it creates. Marketed as Rezulin, this medication is prescribed to people who need a lot of insulin on a daily basis. Complications that can be caused by taking Troglitazone include liver problems. This medication is used independently, or in a combination with external insulin or the Sulfonylurea compound.

Alpha-Glucosidase inhibitors, sold as Precose and Glyset, are yet another new diabetes treatment that is used. This oral medication helps your intestinal tract and stomach to slow down the absorption of sugar. This can lead to less high blood sugar readings, but may cause side effects in the stomach or the bowels. As with most of the other medications, this compound can be taken by itself or in combination with a Sulfonylurea.

Repaglanide is the last of the five types of diabetes treatments. Under the brand name Prandin, these pills are taken along with meals to help your body to control its blood sugar levels. These pills are taken alone or in unison with a Metformin prescription.