    
Type II
Diabetes
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Type 2 diabetes,
often called non-insulin dependant diabetes, is the most common form
of diabetes, affecting 90% - 95% of the 18.2 million people with
diabetes.
Unlike people
with type 1 diabetes, people with type 2 diabetes produce insulin;
however, the insulin their pancreas secretes is either not enough or
the body is unable to recognize the insulin and use it properly.
This is called insulin-resistance. When there isn't enough insulin
or the insulin is not used as it should be, glucose (sugar) can't
get into the body's cells. When glucose builds up in the blood
instead of going into cells, the body's cells are not able to
function properly.
Symptoms:
The symptoms of
type 2 diabetes vary from person to person but may include:
-
· Increased
thirst.
-
· Increased
hunger (especially after eating).
-
· Dry
mouth.
-
· Nausea
and occasionally vomiting.
-
· Frequent
urination.
-
· Fatigue
(weak, tired feeling).
-
· Blurred
vision.
-
· Numbness
or tingling of the hands or feet.
-
· Frequent
infections of the skin, urinary tract or vagina.
Rarely, a person
may be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes after presenting to the
hospital in a diabetic coma.
Treatment:
-
Sulfonylureas.
These drugs lower blood glucose by stimulating the pancreas to
release more insulin. The first drugs of this type that were
developed -- Dymelor, Diabinese, Orinase and Tolinase -- are not
as widely used since they tend to be less potent and shorter
acting drugs than the newer sulfonylureas. They include
Glucotrol, Glucotrol XL, DiaBeta, Micronase, Glynase PresTab and
Amaryl. These drugs can cause a decrease in the hemoglobin A1c ]
of up to 1%-2%.
-
Biguanides.
These drugs improve insulin's ability to move glucose into cells
especially into the muscle cells. They also prevent the liver
from releasing stored glucose. Biguanides should not be used in
people who have kidney damage or heart failure because of the
risk of precipitating a severe build up of acid (called lactic
acidosis) in these patients. Biguanides can decrease the HbA1c
1%-2%. Examples include metformin (Glucophage, Glucophage XR,
Riomet, Fortamet and Glumetza
-
Thiazolidinediones. These
drugs improve insulin's effectiveness (improving insulin
resistance) in muscle and in fat tissue. They lower the amount
of glucose released by the liver and make fat cells more
sensitive to the effects of insulin. Actos and Avandia are the
two drugs of this class. A decrease in the HbA1c of 1%-2% can be
seen with this class of medications. These drugs may take a few
weeks before they have an effect in lowering blood glucose. They
should be used with caution in people with heart failure. Your
doctor will do periodic blood testing of your liver function
when using this medication.
-
Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors,
including Precose and Glyset. These drugs block enzymes that
help digest starches, slowing the rise in blood glucose. These
drugs may cause diarrhea or gas. These drugs can result in the
reduction of the level of HbA1c of 0.5%-1%.
-
Meglitinides,
including Prandin and Starlix. These medicines lower blood
glucose by stimulating the pancreas to release more insulin. The
effects of these medications depend on the level of glucose.
They are said to be glucose dependant. High sugars make this
class of medications release insulin. This is unlike the
sulfonylureas that cause an increase in insulin release,
regardless of glucose levels, and can lead to hypoglycemia.
Combination therapy.
There are several combination pills that combine two medications
into one tablet. One example of this is Glucovance, which combines
glyburide (a sulfonylurea) and metformin. Others include Metaglip,
which combines glipizide (a sulfonylurea) and metformin, and
Avandamet which utilizes both metformin and rosiglitazone (Avandia)
in one pill.
Email comments and suggestions to:
TheHypochondriac@gmail.com
Note:
The information on this page is not intended to diagnose, treat,
cure, or prevent any disease. Please consult your physician to
discuss any health concerns that you may have.
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