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Management of diabetes is done through controlling your elevated blood sugar in order to feel healthy and avoid any complications. This is done without causing abnormally lower levels of sugar. There are a few methods in which this can be achieved. The First method is with a diabetic diet to achieve weight reduction, and second with exercise. If this is not successful in controlling the high blood sugars, medications are then introduced.

One of the biggest changes in your life will be the adjustment that you will have to make for monitoring your blood sugar. This task at first will seem burdensome and overwhelming, but in time once you have gotten into the swing of it, it will become a natural part of your day. The one crucial difference with this new habit, is that it is a vital step to feeling good, staying healthy and saving your life.

Testing will tell you exactly where your glucose levels are and If they are within your target range.
You will notice when measuring your levels what makes them rise and what makes them fall, thus readjusting your intake. Blood sugar changes constantly so your awareness and your testing is very important. Knowing what things affect your blood sugar will also help tremendously. Some factors that affect sugar levels include:

' Exercise. When you become more active you begin to lower your blood sugar. Strenuous physical activity such as sports, walking, jogging or even riding a bike will cause your sugars to transport into your cells for energy, thus lowering them.

' Illness. Becoming ill is a special concern when you are diabetic. Extra care and monitoring are required during this time. A simple cold or even flu can become quite serious. Your body when ill begins to produce hormones that raise your sugar levels and helps to promote healing, but this can be problematic for a diabetic. Ensure that you have special instructions at home given to you by your doctor or diabetic clinic to use as reference and aid you through this.

' Alcohol. When planning on having a drink you must do so in moderation. Check your blood sugar before and after to see its affects on you. Each person differs as to their affect. Some sugars rise and others fall. Know that alcohol is to be counted for as a carb.

Medications that you may take for another issue may have an impact on your condition and how you are treating it. Be sure to check with your doctor and pharmacist to be sure that what you take is not going to affect your sugar levels.

MEDICATIONS

If your doctor decides that diet and exercise are not enough to control your blood sugar levels, he or she may place you on medication. The medication is meant to:

1. Increase the insulin output by the pancreas.

2. Decrease the absorption of carbs.

3. Decrease the glucose that your liver releases

4. Aid the cells in response to the insulin.

Various medications are used in the treatment of diabetes. Your doctor will take into consideration many factors in his prescription of your course of treatment.

Some of the medications include:

' SULFONYLUREA DRUGS.

' MEGLITINIDES

' BIGUANIDES

' ALPHA-GLUCOSIDASE INHIBITORS

' THIAZOLIDINEDIONES

' INCRETIN MIMETICS

' AMYLIN MIMETICS

' DPP-4 INHIBITORS

' INSULIN

' DRUG COMBINATIONS.

Regardless or not, if your doctor puts you on a treatment course of medication, it does not replace proper monitoring, exercise and a good diet. This is the corner stone of a healthy lifestyle.