Millions of Americans are burdened with chronic health issues that include arthritis, asthma, and heart disease. However, few conditions are more prevalent today than type 2 diabetes. This disease, which tends to develop in middle-aged adults who have risk factors such as obesity and a sedentary lifestyle, can cause blindness, circulation problems and, in untreated cases, death. If a person or someone they know is suffering from type 2 diabetes, there are several new breakthrough treatments that they may want to discuss with their specialist to see if they are right for them.
- Weekly Medication To Support Insulin
While daily insulin injections can help control blood sugar, they are often not enough to stabilize it. Sugar spikes can cause a variety of problems that include sudden and extreme thirst, blurred vision, fatigue, and painful headaches. Since these spikes can happen at any time of day, they might interfere with work, driving, and childcare duties. If daily injection is not giving an individual proper control over theirr blood sugar, then a secondary medicine may be the answer.
Medications such as Ozempic and Bydureon are formulated to support daily insulin injections and are usually taken once a week. The active ingredients in these medicines are released slowly to help the user gain better control over blood sugar numbers and reduce spikes that can make them feel ill. It is important to remember, however, that these medications are most useful when combined with a sensible diet and exercise.
- Injectables That Support the Heart
The link between type 2 diabetes, stroke, and heart disease is obvious, and the risk increases if a person engages in certain risky behaviors, such as overeating or smoking. Many people who have diabetes do not realize they are much more likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke; however, there are a few new medications available that can reduce that risk when used correctly.
One option that may help protect the heart is Jardiance, which was originally approved to treat type 2 diabetes in 2014. Testing later showed that this medication also lowers the possibility of death as the result of a cardiovascular event or stroke, and it was given a new indicator for this in 2016. Jardiance may raise bad cholesterol levels, so it is important for a person to let a doctor know if they are already taking medication for this condition.
- Injectables That Support Weight Loss
If a person is obese, their doctor may have told them that weight loss can be a significant factor in controlling blood sugar and for reducing the symptoms of type 2 diabetes. They may have even attempted to change their diet and increase the time they spend exercising, and while these actions may help them lose weight, they may need additional support from a diabetes medication that helps regulate both their blood sugar and their food intake.
Medications like Trulicity and Victoza are not specifically designed for weight loss, but they may affect the appetite and help the user feel fuller after eating a meal. This can be especially helpful if a person tends to binge eat, as they may gain greater control over these urges. Remember to tell the doctor whether any other medications are being or if the patient has any chronic digestive issues, such as Crohn’s disease, that may make some side effects of these injectables more severe.
- Stick-Free Testing Patches
If an individual are like most other people who suffer from type 2 diabetes, then one of the most unpleasant aspects of controlling their blood sugar is daily blood testing. They likely use a glucose monitor, reader strips, and sharp retractable needles to collect blood from the sides or tip of the finger, which can be both painful and irritating over time. Fortunately, there are some new testing options available that may be of interest to them.
Scanning systems that read blood sugar levels via an arm patch are becoming popular, as they do not require any finger sticking or messy testing strips that can give an incorrect reading if they become contaminated or expire. The scanning patch needs to be replaced every two weeks, but a person may find a system like this superior to stick testing, especially if they have sensitive skin that bruises or discolors when they draw blood.
- Possible Future Treatments
Medical treatments for chronic diseases are advancing constantly. For example, diagnostic testing expert Dr. Harry Stylli is currently working on new solutions for the detection and treatment of cancer that may give specialists more options for treating their patients. Similar treatments are being tested in the diabetes field, and some even involve surgical intervention.
One surprising breakthrough in the possible treatment of type 2 diabetes and for controlling blood sugar is to destroy the existing mucous membrane of the small intestine and then allowing it to regrow. Test results suggest the new membrane improves overall health and stabilizes blood sugar, reducing the need for daily insulin injections.
Type 2 diabetes can be difficult to live with and manage. However, with the advancement of new treatments and a wellness plan from the doctor, an individual can enjoy life to its fullest.
