DIABETES Q&A 48
I am afraid that I might forget I have taken my insulin and take it twice, or mistakenly take my long-acting dose for my short-acting and vice versa.What should I do if this happens?
If you think you have taken your insulin twice or taken more or less than you need at that particular point in time, you should not panic, but follow a plan designed to ensure that you do not experience serious consequences from this.
I AM AFRAID THAT MY DIABETES WILL CAUSE ME TO GAIN WEIGHT. HOW CAN I PREVENT THIS? QUESTION 47
I am afraid that my diabetes treatment will cause me to gain weight. How can I prevent this?
Some types of medication for diabetes do tend to lead to weight gain. This is especially true of the classes of medications known as thiazolidinediones, sulfonylureas, meglitinides, and insulin itself.
Members of each of these classes of medications have been described in Table 4 (see Question 41). These types of medications all have proven effectiveness in lowering blood sugar and controlling diabetes and have an important place in its management.
Some types of medication for diabetes do tend to lead to weight gain. This is especially true of the classes of medications known as thiazolidinediones, sulfonylureas, meglitinides, and insulin itself.
Members of each of these classes of medications have been described in Table 4 (see Question 41). These types of medications all have proven effectiveness in lowering blood sugar and controlling diabetes and have an important place in its management.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BASAL INSULIN AND BOLUS INSULIN? QUESTION 46
What is the difference between basal insulin and bolus insulin?
Basal insulin refers to the insulin required to control your blood sugar in the absence of food intake. A certain amount of insulin is always necessary to keep the blood sugar in the normal range, even in the absence of eating for prolonged periods.
Basal insulin refers to the insulin required to control your blood sugar in the absence of food intake. A certain amount of insulin is always necessary to keep the blood sugar in the normal range, even in the absence of eating for prolonged periods.
WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE WITH DIABETES TO CONTROL THEIR BLOOD PRESSURE AND CHOLESTEROL AS WELL? QUESTION 45
Why is it so important for people with diabetes to control their blood pressure and cholesterol as well?
It is very important for people to control their blood pressure and cholesterol because of the increased risk of vascular disease carried by people with diabetes (see Question 35). High blood pressure and abnormal levels of cholesterol and other blood fats are frequently found in people with diabetes and contribute additional risk for vascular disease.
It is very important for people to control their blood pressure and cholesterol because of the increased risk of vascular disease carried by people with diabetes (see Question 35). High blood pressure and abnormal levels of cholesterol and other blood fats are frequently found in people with diabetes and contribute additional risk for vascular disease.
I TAKE SEVERAL TYPES OF PILLS FOR MY DIABETES, HOW CAN I REDUCE THE EXPENSES? QUESTION 44
I take several types of pills for my diabetes. How can I reduce the expense?
There are several ways in which the expense of your diabetes medications can be reduced. Many of them apply to medications in general. Whenever possible, you should try to use the medications that are on your insurance plan’s preferred list or those that have the lowest co-pays. These are generally the generic medications.
There are several ways in which the expense of your diabetes medications can be reduced. Many of them apply to medications in general. Whenever possible, you should try to use the medications that are on your insurance plan’s preferred list or those that have the lowest co-pays. These are generally the generic medications.
MY DOCTOR SAYS THAT I NEED TO START INSULIN. IF I DO, WILL I EVER GET OFF IT? QUESTION 43
My doctor says that I need to start insulin. If I do, will I ever get off it?
People with type 1 diabetes usually cannot discontinue insulin use once they have started. This is because of the very severe deficiency of insulin in this disorder. However, there are a couple of exceptions to this general rule.
People with type 1 diabetes usually cannot discontinue insulin use once they have started. This is because of the very severe deficiency of insulin in this disorder. However, there are a couple of exceptions to this general rule.
WHO SHOULD TAKE PILLS AND WHO SHOULD TAKE INSULIN? QUESTION 42
Who should take pills and who should take insulin?
Presently, it is necessary for all patients with type 1 diabetes to take insulin by injection or pump. This is because they are profoundly deficient in insulin, which is essential for life. No other therapies can restore insulin in a person with type 1 diabetes apart from giving the hormone itself.
Presently, it is necessary for all patients with type 1 diabetes to take insulin by injection or pump. This is because they are profoundly deficient in insulin, which is essential for life. No other therapies can restore insulin in a person with type 1 diabetes apart from giving the hormone itself.
WHAT ARE THE BEST AND SAFEST PILLS FOR DIABETES? QUESTION 41
What are the best and safest pills for diabetes?
There is really no best or safest pill for treatment of diabetes, because certain pills (usually called oral
antidiabetic drugs or OADs) are appropriate for certain patients but not for others. Therefore, it is important for the prescribing physician to take a number of factors pertaining to the patient into account before recommending a specific OAD or combination of OADs.
There is really no best or safest pill for treatment of diabetes, because certain pills (usually called oral
antidiabetic drugs or OADs) are appropriate for certain patients but not for others. Therefore, it is important for the prescribing physician to take a number of factors pertaining to the patient into account before recommending a specific OAD or combination of OADs.
WHAT SHOULD I EAT AND WHAT SHOULD A DIABETIC AVOID TO EAT? QUESTION 40
What should I eat and what should I avoid? Please be specific!
It depends. Nutrient needs are based on a number of different factors. Weight and coexisting conditions like high cholesterol and high blood pressure are important in determining an appropriate meal plan.
Most people with type 2 diabetes need to treat all of these conditions. Sugars and starches are primarily responsible for high blood sugar after a meal. These include fruit, juice, milk, soda, desserts, beans, peas, bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, and corn. A moderate restriction of these types of carbohydrates will help control after-meal blood sugar.
It depends. Nutrient needs are based on a number of different factors. Weight and coexisting conditions like high cholesterol and high blood pressure are important in determining an appropriate meal plan.
Most people with type 2 diabetes need to treat all of these conditions. Sugars and starches are primarily responsible for high blood sugar after a meal. These include fruit, juice, milk, soda, desserts, beans, peas, bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, and corn. A moderate restriction of these types of carbohydrates will help control after-meal blood sugar.
IS DIET AND EXERCISE MANAGEMENT ALONE REALLY EFFECTIVE FOR DIABETES? QUESTION 39
Is diet and exercise management alone really effective for diabetes?
Diet and exercise are in fact the most effective treatments of all for most forms of type 2 diabetes, but are not primary measures for management of type 1 diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, profound insulin deficiency necessitates that insulin treatment is the principal form of treatment.
Nevertheless, attention to diet and exercise can provide benefits in diabetes control and general health in patients with type 1 diabetes and should be included in the comprehensive treatment plan.
Diet and exercise are in fact the most effective treatments of all for most forms of type 2 diabetes, but are not primary measures for management of type 1 diabetes. In type 1 diabetes, profound insulin deficiency necessitates that insulin treatment is the principal form of treatment.
Nevertheless, attention to diet and exercise can provide benefits in diabetes control and general health in patients with type 1 diabetes and should be included in the comprehensive treatment plan.
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