Self Treatment For Diabetes
In most cases, the diabetic patient is primarily responsible for his diabetes treatment. Of course, he should go in for periodic lab tests and see the doctor regularly. However, the diabetic patient, for the most part, has to perform the treatments himself.
Diet and exercise are often enough to treat people with Type 2 diabetes. In fact, many people may actually be pre-diabetic, so a simple diet modification and regular exercise can bring their blood glucose levels down back to normal. Most people with Type 2 diabetes and basically all Type 1 diabetics require glucose management, which in most cases, mean taking insulin.
In the past, insulin was delivered to diabetics intravenously from a glass syringe. This was a tedious means of treating diabetes because the needle had to sterilized before each injection and the dose had to be accurately measured. While some diabetics still administer insulin in this manner, there are now quicker, more convenient ways.
1. Insulin Pens - Diabetics can self-treat with insulin pens, which are similar to syringes except the needles are already sterilized and the insulin dosage has already been measured in the cartridges inside. A typical insulin pen can deliver 300 insulin shots.
2. Insulin Pumps - This self-treatment device is roughly the size of a cell phone. This device is attached outside the diabetic's body although it can be implanted too. This device monitors the diabetic's blood glucose level, and release the right amount of insulin as necessary.
3. Pills and Inhalers - Insulin pills are another self-treatment option for diabetics. The problem with pills is that the stomach enzymes degrade the insulin. However, new coatings have been created so that insulin can be better delivered orally. There are also nasal inhalers available but they can cause the nasal passages to become irritated. Oral inhalers appear to be better although they can cause coughing and dryness of the mouth.
Other forms of treating diabetes, the more advanced ones, are still under research. For instance, scientists are still trying to conduct research on solving the basic problem through gene therapy and transplanting pancreatic cells. Until these studies bear fruit, the aforementioned treatment options give diabetics a convenient, safe, and relatively painless way to manage their condition.
