Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is a type of diabetes characterized by insulin resistance (cells do not respond appropriately to the insulin). This type accounts for more than 90 percent of diabetes cases. Most of its patients are over age 40 and overweight. 

Treatment

Type 2 diabetes is presently incurable, but it can be controlled. Strict control of blood glucose is the best defense against the serious complications of diabetes. There are three ways to control blood glucose level: diet, exercise and medications.

Diet

Eat foods that are low in fat, salt, and sugar and high in fiber, such as beans, fruits, vegetables, and grains.

Exercise

Exercise is especially good for people with diabetes because

• exercise helps keep weight down
• exercise helps insulin work better to lower blood glucose
• exercise is good for heart and lungs.

Medications

Insulin injection and diabetes pills are the two kinds of medicines used to lower blood glucose. There are several different types of diabetes pills, each type helps lower blood glucose in a different way. 

• Sulfonylureas stimulate your pancreas to make more insulin.
• Biguanides decrease the amount of glucose made by your liver.
• Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors slow the absorption of the starches you eat.
• Thiazolidinediones make you more sensitive to insulin.
• Meglitinides stimulate your pancreas to make more insulin.
• D-phenylalanine derivatives help your pancreas make more insulin quickly.
• Combination oral medicines put together different kinds of pills.

Reference:

National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, USA