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Some FAQ about diabetes
1. Why should diabetes be treated?
Diabetes should be treated for both immediate and long term benefits. In the short term, treatment brings about a reduction in symptoms such as thirst, frequent urination, tiredness, and so on. Treatment also reduces the risk of infections. If infection is already present, it helps to hasten the eradication of infection. In long-term, benefits would include reduction in the risk of developing long-term complications affecting the eyes, kidneys, nerves and blood vessels.
Diabetes is basically a problem of the body being unable to lower the blood sugar level to normal. This is either due to insufficient insulin production or insensitivity to insulin, or both. A large intake of food also overloads the body with sugar and glucose, causing the body unable to cope with it.
Diet therefore serves as basic foundation of diabetes treatment.
3. Can herbs or traditional medicine be used to treat diabetes?
In recent years, a number of traditional herbs and cures for diabetes have been investigated for their ability to reduce blood sugar. Some were found to have no effect while some were shown to have a mild effect on lowering blood sugar, but not to the extent that is comparable to the currently available tablets or insulin used to treat diabetes.
4. Should all diabetics observe a diet?
All diabetics should observe a diet. Indiscreet eating habits would negate whatever tablet or insulin therapy the patient is on. Diabetic diet should be the cornerstone of therapy in diabetes and should be maintained indefinitely.
5. How do tablets control diabetes?
Tablets only work in patients with Type 2 diabetes who are still able to produce insulin. Tablets for treating diabetes usually belong to 2 groups: sulphonylureas and biguanides.
Sulphonylureas - act by increasing the production of insulin as well as enchancing the body's sensitivity to insulin.
Biguanides - act by enhancing the action of insulin that is already produced by the body.
6. What are the side effects of taking tablets?
The side effects of taking tablets for diabetes are usually mild, ranging from rash to minor abdominal upset. The major side effect is hypoglycaemia. Hypoglycaemia tends to occur especially when meals are missed or taken poorly while the patient is on tablets. Older patients are also more prone to hypoglycaemia. Patients and relatives must be familiar with the symptoms of hypoglycaemia and initiate early treatment when needed.
7. Can tablets be taken during pregnancy?
Generally, they should not be taken. If a diabetic has already been on tablets before pregnancy, she should change to insulin therapy until after delivery.
8. When should a diabetic be treated with insulin?
Patients with Type 1 diabetes will always need insulin as they are unable to produce enough insulin or do not produce any insulin at all. Therefore insulin injection is needed.
Patients with Type 2 diabetes may need insulin if and when diet and tablets fail to give an adequate control of their blood sugar. Certain situations may also require temporary insulin therapy. Examples like pregnancy, acute illness and when there is an uncontrolled infection. In these situations, the use of insulin may be temporary, and the patient may revert back to diet and tablets at the doctor's discretion.
9. What are the side effects of insulin therapy?
The major side effect of insulin therapy is hypoglycaemia. Diabetics should be aware of this risk, and carry some sweets in their pocket or bag to be taken when there are early warning signs of hypoglycaemia.
Other side effects of insulin injections include itching and rash and reduction or increase in fat tissue at the sites where insulin is injected. This is known as lipoatrophy or lipohypertrophy. Lipoatrophy or lipohypertrophy can be avoided by using purer form of insulin and by systematically rotating the injection sites.
10. Is human insulin better than animal insulin?
Human insulin is theoretically less likely to cause allergic reactions than animal insulin. However, reaction to insulin are very rare event. If a patient develops an allergy to animal insulin, human insulin can be used instead. With regards to the ability to lower blood sugar level, the effectiveness of human and highly purified animal insulin are comparable.
11. Why must insulin be injected?
Insulin absorption is poor and oral insulin is not effective. Insulin injection have remained the standard and most effective way of insulin therapy at the moment.
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