The Wellness RN: Diabetes Treatment Plans

Diabetes Treatment Plans

Original Written: Jul 29, 2010 | By Candice Hubbard

Past Published work on Livestrong.com

Original Article Link: http://www.livestrong.com/article/188242-diabetes-treatment-plans/

Diabetes mellitus, or diabetes, is a group of diseases characterized by high blood glucose levels that result from defects in the body's ability to produce and/or use a hormone called insulin. There are several types of diabetes and each one is characterized by the way that insulin is produced and/or used by the body. Treatment plans for treating diabetes vary by type and usually include a combination of diet modification, medication management and adequate amounts of physical activity.

Diet Modification

According to the National Library of Medicine, healthy eating helps to reduce blood glucose, excess sugar in the blood. It is a critical part of managing diabetes because controlling blood glucose can prevent the complications of diabetes. Meal plans should be flexible and take an individual's lifestyle and other health needs into consideration. A registered dietitian can assist in designing the proper meal plan for an individual with diabetes. Considerations that should be taken into account include limiting sweets, eating often, limiting how many carbohydrates are consumed, eating lots of whole-grain foods, fruits and vegetables, eating less fat, and limiting the use of alcohol

Physical Activity

Regular exercise can help the body respond to insulin. According to Life Clinic and the American Diabetes Association, exercise lowers blood glucose and modifies the amount and type of medication needed to treat diabetes. Exercise has many benefits for diabetics. Exercise burns calories for weight loss, improves circulation to prevent diabetic complications and reduces stress that can cause glucose levels to increase.

Medication Management

Medications for diabetes are available in various classes. Each class contains one or more specific drugs. These drugs can either be taken orally or injected. Each work in different ways to help lower blood glucose. According to studies conducted by Mayo clinic, stimulation of the pancreas to produce and release more insulin is one method of action of diabetes medications. Other actions of diabetes medications include; inhibiting the production and release, blocking the action of stomach enzymes that break down carbohydrates into glucose, or by making body tissue more sensitive to the affects of insulin.

Insulin Administration

Insulin for injection is obtained from pork pancreas or is made chemically identical to human insulin. According to the American Diabetes Association, an insulin regimen is often required in the treatment of gestational diabetes and diabetes associated with certain conditions, such as insulin-resistance. In all cases, insulin dosages are individualized and balanced with diet modification and exercise.

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