Diabetes affects more than 23 million Americans, according to the American Diabetes Association. This disease affects blood sugar, or glucose, levels in the body. Glucose provides energy to body's cells in muscle and tissue, but diabetes occurs when there is too much glucose in the blood, resulting in symptoms such as fatigue, thirst, extreme hunger, weight change and distortion of vision. There is no cure for diabetes, but it can be managed with different treatments.
Purpose
The primary purpose of all diabetes treatments is to maintain a healthy level of glucose in the blood so the body can function normally. Patients use different approaches to achieve this purpose through diet, insulin injections, exercise, medications and surgery. Only a physician can properly diagnose the condition and offer a prescription for the most appropriate treatment.
Lifestyle
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the best treatment for diabetes is a well-balanced diet combined with exercise. What you ingest is your primary intake of sugar. Learn what foods help balance blood sugar levels in the body which ones cause spikes. Diabetics should avoid overeating and consuming foods and beverages that contain high levels of sugar.
Exercise plays a vital role in diabetes treatment. The Mayo Clinic explains that when you exercise, the activity uses and burns the sugar in the blood, which lowers your blood sugar level. Exercise also will make the body more responsive to insulin, requiring less to maintain healthy sugar levels. Discuss an exercise plan with a doctor.
Medical Treatment
The use of insulin is the most common medical treatment for diabetes, according to the "Journal of the American Medical Association." Insulin administered through injection lowers a person's blood sugar level. Depending on the individual's condition, a doctor will prescribe a specific amount of insulin to be used on a daily basis. Oral medications treat some types of diabetic conditions. Prescribed oral medications work by either causing the pancreas to secret more insulin or restricting the stomach from breaking down carbohydrates. In extreme conditions, you and your doctor may discuss a pancreas transplant.
Monitoring
Monitoring sugar levels in the blood is an effective treatment for diabetes--whether a few times during the week or as often as after each meal. A doctor will base most of her assessment on the monitoring reports from the patient. It is extremely important to keep accurate and consistent records when monitoring sugar levels.
Complications
Without proper treatment, diabetes can lead to nerve damage, cardiovascular disease, eye damage, skin conditions, kidney damage, bone and joint issues, increased kidney stones and high or low blood sugar.
