Type 2 diabetes is disease in which the pancreas does not produce insulin sufficiently and patients exhibit an insulin resistance in the muscle, liver and fat cells. This leads to uncontrolled blood sugar levels in the body.
Oral Therapy
Metformin is usually prescribed to newly diagnosed patients. Other oral medications include Amaryl, Glucotrol, Avandia, Prandin and Januvia.
Insulin
Insulin is recommended in patients with extremely high fasting blood sugar levels, or more than 280 to 300 mg/dL and in symptomatic patients, explains "Pharmacotherapy: A Pathophysiologic Approach."
Goals
Goals of therapy are to control blood sugar levels adequately, improve quality of life, alleviate symptoms and avoid complications of diabetes.
Target Levels
"Pharmacotherapy: A Pathophysiologic Approach" says that fasting blood sugar levels should be between 90 and 130 mg/dL. Hemoglobin A1C, which measures blood glucose concentration, should be less than 7 percent.
Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar level, may develop in patients on diabetes treatment. Symptoms include hunger, dizziness, sweating and nervousness. Patients should suck on hard candy or drink a fruit juice to raise blood sugar levels quickly.
References
- "Pharmacotherapy: A Pathophysiologic Approach"; Joseph T. Dipiro, Robert L. Talbert, et al.; 2008
- MayoClinic.com: Type 2 Diabetes
