This hormone is produced by the pancreas and helps the body utilize sugar from the food you eat. Individuals with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes need medicines to control their blood glucose levels. In this blog we will discuss the best medication for type 2 diabetes is decided by your diabetologists after assessing your condition. When it comes to type 2 diabetes, has no cure. Still, you can manage to eat by maintaining a healthy weight, having a balanced diet, and exercising regularly. When diet & exercise alone do not help you control blood sugar, you need diabetes medicines and insulin therapy.
Symptoms of Diabetes Type 2
You will see the symptoms of type 2 diabetes developing slowly. You may be living with it but may not find it for years. The signs and symptoms that may show you have type 2 diabetes are
Frequent urination
Increased thirst
Increased hunger
Fatigue
Unintended weight loss
Blurred vision
Frequent infections
Slow-healing sores
Numbness/tingling in feet or hands
Darkened skin around the neck or in the armpits
Before you know about the best medication for type 2 diabetes, let us understand the causes
Causes
Type 2 diabetes occurs due to 2 interlinked problems
Cells in the liver, fat, and muscle become insulin resistant. This happens because the cells do not connect in a normal pattern with insulin, they do not use enough sugar.
The pancreas cannot produce sufficient insulin to keep blood sugar levels under control.
No one knows why this happens, but obesity and an inactive lifestyle can lead to this condition.
Best medications for Type 2 diabetes
In some cases, only making some lifestyle changes can help keep type 2 diabetes under control. If this doesn’t help, there are plenty of medications that can help manage this condition and some medications are:
It can reduce your blood sugar levels and enhance how the body reacts to insulin. This is the first treatment given to type 2 diabetes patients.
Glibenclamide
These are oral medicines that allow the body to produce more insulin.
Thiazolidinediones
This medicine makes the body extra sensitive to insulin.
Linagliptin (Trajenta 5mg)
This medication works fast and is used as a short-term treatment to activate your pancreas to produce more insulin.
Sodium-glucose Cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) Inhibitors
This medication allows your kidneys to throw out sugar from your body via urine.
Glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists
This medication slows down digestion to enhance blood sugar levels.
Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitors
This medication is mild and allows for a decrease in blood glucose levels.
Every medication mentioned above can have side effects. It may take a while to get you the best medication for type 2 diabetes or a combination of drugs that can manage your diabetes.
If your cholesterol levels or blood pressure are not under control, you may require medicines to treat those health ailments.
If your body cannot produce sufficient insulin, you may need insulin treatment. You may require a long-lasting injection that can be taken at night or you may need insulin multiple times a day.
Diabetes treatment:
Reducing blood sugar
A lot of medicines for type 2 diabetes are available in the market. Every medicine works differently to reduce blood sugar. Medicine can work by
Enable the pancreas to produce & release more insulin.
Restrict the ability of the liver to produce & release sugar.
Obstruct the work of enzymes present in the intestines that cut down carbohydrates, slowing down how cells absorb carbohydrates.
Boost the sensitivity of cells to insulin.
Restrict kidneys from absorbing sugar which increases the amount of sugar thrown out from the body via urine.
Slow down the process of movement of food in the stomach.
How to pick your diabetes medication
Single diabetes treatment is not suitable for everyone. A particular medicine that is the best medication for type 2 diabetes for you may not work for others. So, your healthcare expert can elaborate on whether a single medication or combination of medicines will control your diabetes.
At times, a combination of medicines can boost the efficacy of each medicine to reduce blood sugar. So, speak to your medical expert to know the benefits and drawbacks of particular diabetes medicines for you.
Treatment
You can manage type 2 diabetes or reverse it (only in some cases). Most diabetes treatment plans will have to check blood glucose levels regularly. The medical expert will tell you how often you need to check your blood sugar levels. The idea is to maintain the normal range.
Some additional lifestyle changes that your medical expert will suggest can help manage type 2 diabetes.
Incorporate fiber-rich foods, healthy carbs, vegetables, fruits, and whole grains to maintain healthy blood glucose levels.
Small meals at regular intervals.
Stop eating when you feel full.
Managing weight and taking care of heart health. It means sticking to a diet that comprises sweets, animal fats, and refined carbohydrates.
Engage in 30 minutes of exercise daily for heart health and manage blood sugar.
Apart from prescribing you the best medication for type 2 diabetes, your diabetologist will educate you on how to identify the early signs of elevated blood sugar levels or lower blood sugar levels. The diabetologist will also tell you the actions you should take in such situations.
Also, seeking help from a dietician can let you know which foods can allow you to control your blood sugar. You will also come to know about the foods that can disturb your blood sugar levels.
Well, not every individual suffering from type 2 diabetes needs insulin. You may need insulin if your pancreas cannot produce sufficient insulin automatically. So, you have to use insulin as told by the physician.
Diet to be followed for type 2 diabetes
It is not just the best medication for type 2 diabetes works to control diabetes, but even a balanced diet is important to manage it
Diet is necessary to maintain a healthy heart and keep blood sugar levels within a normal range.
Choose foods that are rich in nutrients and less in empty calories.
Eat small meals and stop eating when you are full. Avoid overeating
Foods & beverages to restrict
If you have type 2 diabetes or trying to prevent diabetes and manage weight, you should limit your intake of some foods & beverages.
Processed meats
Foods that are high in Trans fats or saturated fats like full-fat dairy items or red meat.
Shortening and margarine
Refined baked foods like cake and white bread
Highly processed or high-sugar snacks like cereals or cookies.
Sugary beverages like some fruit juices or regular soda.
For any queries on your diet, speak to your medical expert. Do not force unnecessary dietary restrictions on you. Hence, discuss the foods you need to take and the ones you need to avoid to maintain normal blood sugar levels. Some patients need to check their blood sugar levels more closely than others after having these foods.