Type I Diabetes
A person with this form of diabetes may be instructed to manually take insulin, as well as maintain a healthy diet and exercise routine. Other drugs might be used to prevent kidney damage and/or treat related health problems, such as high blood pressure.

Type II Diabetes
Oral medications can be used to decrease insulin resistance and/or increase the amount of insulin that is being produced. Insulin is used in some cases and medications can be used as part of treating diabetes. Attention to diet and regular exercise are advised, as weight loss can reverse insulin resistance and lower glucose levels.

Gestational Diabetes
The combination of a healthy diet and exercise may be enough to treat this type of diabetes. Insulin is used in some cases.
Medications (oral pills for Type II Diabetes)

• Glyburide (Micronase, DiaBeta, Glynase)
• Glipizide (Glucotrol, Glucotrol XL)
• Glimpiride (Amaryl)
• Repaglinide (Prandin)

Each of these medications can be used to lower the blood glucose by boosting insulin production. Other medications help the body overcome resistance to insulin such as:

• Metformin (Glucophage) decreases the liver’s production of glucose
• Pioglitazone (Actos) and Rosiglitazone (Avandia) allow the muscle and fat tissues to respond to insulin better so glucose is used more readily

It is important to regularly eat meals, exercise, and take medications at the same time each day in order to regulate glucose levels.

Hypoglycemia
Quickly eat or drink something that contains sugar (candy, juice, soft drink) or take a glucose tablet. A person can have hypoglycemia unawareness, where the condition comes on without warning. Maintaining a higher glucose level for a short period of time (two weeks) can reverse hypoglycemia unawareness.

Glucagon injections are sometimes necessary if low blood sugar goes untreated or is not recognized. This hormone eases symptoms of hypoglycemia by converting stored glucose in the liver into energy and passing it through the bloodstream. A hospital visit might also be required to stabilize glucose levels. It is important to recognize symptoms and situations that trigger hypoglycemia in order to prevent this from happening again. Friends and family should be informed along with the diabetic patient as to how hypoglycemia is best treated.

Sugar Alcohols (i.e. Sorbitol)
Diabetics can use these as sugar substitutes because they are not absorbed in the bloodstream as readily as table sugar is. They are also less sweet and do not contain as many calories as regular sugar does. Sugar alcohols do not raise glucose levels as high so they do not require as much insulin to metabolize.

Physical Activity
Exercise produces an ‘insulin-like’ effect. The available insulin works better (glucose can enter cells), so while the demand for energy is high, the receptors are hypersensitive, which enables the glucose to get energy to the cells.