he goals of diabetes treatment are to keep
blood glucose
within normal
range and to prevent long-term complications. Why control blood glucose?
In the first place, diabetes can cause short-term effects: some are
unpleasant and some are dangerous. These include thirst, frequent
urination, weakness, lack of ability to concentrate, loss of
coordination, and blurred vision. Loss of consciousness is possible with
very high or low blood sugar levels, but is more of a danger in
insulin-dependent
(type 1)
than in noninsulin-dependent
(type 2)
diabetes.
| Points to Remember
- Diabetes treatment can reduce symptoms, like thirst and
weakness, and the chances of long-term problems, like heart and
eye disease.
- If treatment with diet and exercise isn't effective, a doctor
may prescribe oral medications or insulin.
- There is no known cure for diabetes; daily treatment must
continue throughout a person's lifetime.
|
In the second place, the long-term complications of diabetes may
result from many years of high blood glucose. Research is under
way to find out if this is true and to learn if careful control can help
prevent complications. Meanwhile, most doctors feel that if people with
diabetes keep their blood glucose levels under control, they will reduce
the risk of complications.
In 1986, a National Institutes of Health panel of experts
recommended that the best treatment for noninsulin-dependent diabetes
is a diet that helps the person maintain normal weight. In people who
are overweight, losing weight is the one treatment that is clearly
effective in controlling diabetes.
In some people, exercise can help keep weight and diabetes under
control. However, when diet and exercise alone can't control diabetes,
two other kinds of treatment are available: oral diabetes medications
and insulin. The treatment a doctor suggests depends on the person's
age, lifestyle, and the severity of the diabetes.
From the Federal Citizen Information Center
NIH Publication No. 97-241
September 1992
e-text last updated: 10 February 1997
http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/health/noninsulin-diabetes/treat.htm
