Type 1 Diabetes Treatment
Insulin
Everyone with type 1 diabetes needs insulin treatment to control his or her disease. In addition, about 40% of those with type 2 diabetes eventually require some type of insulin treatment to control their blood glucose, either because their diabetes gets worse or it no longer responds to oral drugs. Many people with type 2 diabetes take insulin in combination with a sulfonylurea, metformin, or a thiazolidinedione.
Insulin cannot be taken by mouth because digestive enzymes would break it down before it reaches the bloodstream. Therefore, insulin must be taken via injections under the skin (subcutaneous) or via a pump that dispenses insulin under the skin.
Physician-developed and -monitored.
Original Date of Publication: 21 Apr 2009
Written by: Christopher D. Saudek, M.D.; Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D.
Last Reviewed: 05 May 2009
Diabetes (Diabetes Mellitus), Type 1 Diabetes Treatment - Insulin reprinted with permission from
© 1998-2010 Healthcommunities.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Test your Diabetes IQ
