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Treatment and Management of Diabetes |
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Treatment and Management of Diabetes
Treatment for diabetes:
Specific treatment for diabetes will be determined by your physician based on:
- your age, overall health, and medical history
- type of diabetes
- extent of the disease
- your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
- expectations for the course of the disease
- your opinion or preference
Treatment may include:
- type 1 diabetes
Persons with type 1 diabetes no longer produce insulin, and they must have insulin injections to use the glucose they obtain from eating.
Persons with type 1 diabetes must give themselves insulin every day. Insulin can either be injected, which involves the use of a needle and syringe, or it can be given by an external or internal insulin pump, insulin pen, jet injector, or insulin patch. Extra amounts of insulin may be taken before meals, depending on the blood glucose level and food to be eaten.
Insulin cannot be taken as a pill. Because it is a protein, it would be broken down during digestion just like the protein in food. It must be injected into the fat under the skin for insulin to get into the blood. The amount of insulin needed depends on height, weight, age, food intake, and activity level. Insulin doses must be balanced with meal times and activities, and dosage levels can be affected by illness, stress, or unexpected events.
- type 2 diabetes
Although persons with type 2 diabetes may continue to produce adequate insulin for some time, their bodies can become incapable of using it. This syndrome is know as insulin resistance, and may indicate the need for oral medications that can help stimulate the pancreas to release insulin or optimize the body's ability to use the insulin secreted.
Diet and exercise can often bring blood glucose levels down to normal. When these measures are no longer enough, the next step is the addition of medications that lower blood glucose levels.
There are many considerations a person with diabetes must take in order to properly manage his/her condition. Listed in the directory below are some, for which we have provided a brief overview.
For more information:
If you cannot find the information in which you are interested, please visit the Diabetes Online Resources page in this Web site for an Internet/World Wide Web address that may contain additional information on that topic.
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Diabetes Care at
Rush University Medical Center
Endocrinologists at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois, participate in multidisciplinary care teams with other Rush specialists managing the complex medical and surgical care of patients with diabetes and other endocrine disorders. Working in state-of-the art facilities, using some of the world’s most sophisticated technology, these experts are on the leading edge of diagnosis, treatment and discovery.
In addition, the Rush University Diabetes Center in Chicago has been recognized by the American Diabetes Association for quality self-management education. The center’s team includes a registered dietitian, certified diabetes educator and nurse practitioner, who educate patients on what they can do to best control their diabetes.
For more information about diabetes care at Rush visit our Endocrinology home page and the Diabetes Center at Rush home page.
Looking for Other Health Information?
- Visit our Health Information home page.
or
- Visit Discover Rush’s Web Resource page to find articles on health topics and recent health news from Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois. You will also find many helpful links to other areas of our site.
Looking for a Doctor?
Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois, is a leader in caring for people of all ages, from newborns through older adults.
Just phone (888) 352-RUSH or (888) 352-7874 for help finding the Rush doctor who’s right for you.
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