Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease caused by insufficient secretion or impaired action of insulin, which is mainly characterized by hyperglycemia. With the change of lifestyle and aging population, the incidence of diabetes is increasing year by year, and it has become a global health problem. So, what are the treatments for diabetes? In this article, we will introduce you from the aspects of medication, lifestyle modification, insulin therapy and so on.
Medication
- Oral hypoglycemic drugs
Diabetes mellitus is commonly used in drug treatment include sulfonylureas, biguanides, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, thiazolidinediones and so on. Sulfonylureas lower blood glucose mainly by stimulating the release of insulin from pancreatic β-cells. These drugs are suitable for those patients with type 2 diabetes who have insufficient insulin secretion. However, one needs to be aware of the risk of hypoglycemia when using sulfonylureas, especially in the elderly and in patients with hepatic and renal insufficiency. Biguanides, on the other hand, lower blood glucose primarily by decreasing hepatic glucose production and increasing glucose utilization by peripheral tissues. This drug is particularly suitable for patients who are obese and have significant insulin resistance. However, biguanides can sometimes cause gastrointestinal disturbances such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. alpha-glucosidase inhibitors lower blood glucose primarily by inhibiting the enzyme alpha-glucosidase in the brush border of the small intestinal mucosa, which delays the absorption of carbohydrates. This drug is particularly suitable for patients with elevated blood glucose after meals. However, it should be noted that alpha-glucosidase inhibitors may cause gastrointestinal reactions such as bloating and diarrhea. Thiazolidinediones are a class of insulin sensitizers that lower blood glucose primarily by improving insulin resistance. These drugs are effective in patients who are obese and have significant insulin resistance. However, thiazolidinediones may cause side effects such as weight gain and edema.
- GLP-1 agonists
GLP-1 receptor agonists are a class of drugs that exert their hypoglycemic effect by activating the receptor for glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), a type of enteroglucagon secreted by intestinal L-cells, which has the multiple effects of increasing insulin sensitivity, promoting insulin secretion, and inhibiting glucagon secretion. Together, these actions contribute to the reduction of blood glucose levels, leading to the effective treatment of diabetes. First, GLP-1 receptor agonists lower blood glucose by increasing insulin sensitivity. Insulin is a hypoglycemic hormone secreted by pancreatic β-cells, which binds to insulin receptors on the membrane of target cells and promotes glucose uptake and utilization.GLP-1 receptor agonists can increase the number and affinity of insulin receptors and improve the binding efficiency of insulin to the receptor, thus enhancing the hypoglycemic effect of insulin. Secondly, GLP-1 receptor agonists also promote insulin secretion. When blood glucose levels rise, intestinal L cells secrete more GLP-1. GLP-1 binds to the GLP-1 receptor on pancreatic β-cells and is able to stimulate pancreatic β-cells to secrete more insulin, thereby lowering blood glucose. This effect is particularly important in diabetics, whose pancreatic beta cell function is often impaired, resulting in insufficient insulin secretion. In addition, GLP-1 receptor agonists inhibit glucagon secretion. Glucagon is a glucagon hormone secreted by pancreatic alpha cells that binds to the glucagon receptor and promotes hepatic glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis, leading to an increase in blood glucose.GLP-1 receptor agonists help to lower blood glucose by inhibiting glucagon secretion and decreasing its glucose-raising effect.
Insulin Therapy
Diabetes is mainly categorized into type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. For both types of diabetes, insulin therapy is essential in many cases. Insulin is the main hormone that the body uses to lower blood sugar. For diabetics, insulin injections can effectively help control blood sugar levels and prevent various complications caused by high blood sugar. First of all, let’s understand why people with type 1 diabetes need insulin therapy. the pancreas of people with type 1 diabetes is unable to produce enough insulin, resulting in the body’s inability to effectively regulate blood sugar. In this case, exogenous insulin supplementation is especially important. With regular insulin injections, people with type 1 diabetes can keep their blood glucose within the normal range, thus avoiding serious complications such as diabetic ketoacidosis. For some type 2 diabetics, although their pancreas can still produce some insulin, insulin secretion will gradually decrease as the disease progresses, while the body’s sensitivity to insulin will also decrease. In this case, insulin injections can help patients better control their blood glucose, alleviate symptoms, and reduce the risk of complications such as cardiovascular disease and retinopathy. However, insulin therapy is not a simple “one shot and that’s it” approach. Patients need to be guided by their doctors to develop a personalized treatment plan based on their condition, blood glucose level and lifestyle. The injection dose, injection time and injection site all need to be precisely controlled to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the treatment. Meanwhile, patients also need to monitor their blood glucose regularly and adjust the treatment plan in time to cope with changes in their condition.
Lifestyle Modification
Lifestyle modifications are the foundation of diabetes treatment. Here are some suggestions: First, dietary adjustment. Follow the dietary principles of low sugar, low fat and high fiber, reduce the intake of high-calorie, high-fat and high-sugar foods, and increase the intake of vegetables, fruits and whole grains. Second, increase exercise. Appropriate exercise helps lower blood sugar, reduce weight and improve insulin resistance. It is recommended to do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week, such as brisk walking, swimming, bicycling and so on. Third, quit smoking and limit alcohol. Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption are both detrimental to the health of diabetics and should be avoided as much as possible.