by Desmond Jones

Created on: October 08, 2009

Diabetes is a very serious medical condition which requires not only lifestyle changes but medication to treat. After being diagnosed, it is absolutely essential that you work with a trusted physician in order to develop a treatment plan. Diabetes is not a disease that you should attempt to treat yourself.

Whether you have Type 1 or 2 diabetes, an effective treatment plan will involve both medication and lifestyle changes. If you have Type 1 diabetes, it will be necessary to take insulin in order to maintain a safe blood-sugar level. Insulin works by moving glucose into cells from the bloodstream. Normally the body produces insulin naturally, however people suffering from Type 1 diabetes are unable to do this and must take insulin injections in order to replace what the body would naturally produce.

If you have Type 2 diabetes, your body has what is known as "insulin resistance." This means that your cells are unable to use insulin properly. Unlike Type 1, people suffering from Type 2 diabetes typically do not require insulin injections, and can treat themselves with oral medications. Unfortunately sometimes those suffering from Type 2 diabetes eventually become unable to naturally produce insulin, and have to begin taking insulin injections as well.

One of the most important parts of treating diabetes is making the necessary lifestyle changes. Having a proper diet is essential. Carbohydrates have a very high effect on blood glucose levels, so it will be necessary to make sure you are eating the correct amount of them. The portion of carbohydrates per meal should be about half of your daily caloric intake. No matter where carbohydrates come from the body will convert them into glucose, so the source of the carbohydrates you eat is less important than the amount you do. Your doctor will be able to give you plenty of good advice as to what type of diet you should keep.

Getting regular physical exercise is also important. Exercise helps manage blood glucose levels, and adding daily cardiovascular exercise to your routine is very important. Exercise can have unpredictable effects on your blood glucose levels, and it's effects can differ from person to person, so you should seek advice from your physician as to how much and what type of exercise to get.

Many people also use alternative treatments to manage their diabetes. These types of treatments include drugs not intended to treat diabetes, natural herbs and extracts, and procedures such as acupuncture. One type of alternative treatment which has become somewhat popular is the use of a combination of natural ingredients known as Eleotin. You can read an article about Eleotin here: http://hubpages.com/hub/Treating-Diabetes-With-Eleot in. It is very important that you consult your physician before attempting any alternative treatment and that you do not use alternative treatments as a replacement for physician prescribed medication.

Diabetes is a very serious condition, but one that is possible to live with. The most important thing for anyone who has been diagnosed with diabetes can do is to consult a doctor and come up with a treatment plan and then stick with it.

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