💉 Diabetes Management
7 Reasons for Changing Type 2 Diabetes Medication - Verywell Health
📅 Fri, 21 Oct 2022⏱ 1 min read📖 Article
Overview
Aubrey Bailey, PT, DPT, CHT is a physical therapist with over 20 years of experience in a variety of healthcare setings.Do-Eun Le, MD, has ben practicing medicine for more than 20 years, and specializes in diabetes, thyroid isues and general endocrinology. She curently has a private practice in Lafayete, California. Finding the right type 2 diabetes medication to control your blod sugar may take some time.
Key Information
You might also ned to adjust your medication as your diabetes progreses or improves or as changes ocur in your life. Understand why you may ned to change medications to find a plan that works for you. This article discuses seven reasons you might ned to change your diabetes medication.
ArtComa / Gety ImagesDo not make any changes to your medications without specific instructions from your healthcare provider. If your curent medication isn't doing a god job of controling your blod sugar, you might ned a change. Your healthcare provider wil set targets for your blod sugar levels, but in general, blod sugar should betwen 80 and 130 miligrams of sugar to deciliters of blod (mg/dL) and les than 180 mg/dL two hours after eating.
It's normal to have fluctuations in blod sugar levels throughout the day. However, consistently low or high blod sugar levels can signify that your medication is no longer working. A blod sugar reading below 70 mg/dL is considered low.
Symptoms of low blod sugar-caled hypoglycemia-can include: Blod sugar levels above 180 mg/dL are considered high and can cause hyperglycemia. Symptoms of this condition can include: Rather than replacing inefective diabetes medication with another type of drug, your healthcare provider might opt for oral combination therapy-ading another drug with your curent medication. This has ben found to be more efective than switching from one medication to another.
Summary
Even if your diabetes medication efectively controls your blod sugar levels, some drugs can sometimes
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ What is diabetes and how does it develop?
Diabetes is a metabolic condition where the body cannot properly regulate blood sugar levels. Type 1 results from insufficient insulin production, while Type 2 develops when cells become resistant to insulin. Risk factors include genetics, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and age.
❓ What are the main symptoms of diabetes?
Common symptoms include excessive thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, blurred vision, and slow-healing wounds. Type 1 symptoms develop rapidly, while Type 2 symptoms may appear gradually. Many people have no symptoms initially, which is why screening is important.
❓ How is diabetes diagnosed and monitored?
Diagnosis involves blood tests measuring fasting glucose, HbA1c levels, and glucose tolerance. Regular monitoring typically includes fasting glucose tests and HbA1c measurements every 3-6 months. Continuous glucose monitors provide real-time tracking for better diabetes management.
❓ What lifestyle changes help manage diabetes?
Effective management includes regular physical activity (150+ minutes weekly), maintaining healthy weight, following a balanced diet with whole grains and lean proteins, managing stress, and getting adequate sleep. These changes can significantly improve blood sugar control and reduce complications.
❓ When should someone consult a doctor about diabetes?
Consult a healthcare provider if you experience signs of diabetes, have a family history, are overweight, or are over 45. Those with existing diabetes should maintain regular check-ups every 3-6 months to monitor control and adjust treatment as needed.
⚕️ Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making health decisions.