Remedies for type 1 and type 2 diabetes

Treatment for type 1 or type 2 diabetes is done with medications to control blood sugar levels, with the aim of keeping blood glucose as close to normal as possible, preventing possible complications of this disease, such as retinopathy and kidney failure, for example.

To treat type 1 diabetes, daily insulin is required. The treatment of type 2 diabetes, in general, is done with antidiabetic medication in tablets, such as metformin, glimepiride and gliclazide, for example, being sufficient in most cases, or the aid of insulin may also be necessary. In addition, a controlled diet in sugar and fat and exercise is essential in all cases.

As the most suitable medicine for each person varies according to several factors, including the type of diabetes, the severity of the disease and the patient's age, treatment should be guided by an endocrinologist or general practitioner. To better understand what differentiates types of diabetes, see what are the characteristics and differences of types of diabetes.

Remedies for type 1 diabetes

As in this type of diabetes, the pancreas is unable to produce insulin or produces in minimal amounts, the goal of treatment is to simulate the natural production of this hormone, that is, at the same times and amounts according to the needs of each person, to prevent the increased blood glucose.

Thus, to simulate the action of the pancreas, it is necessary that the person with type 1 diabetes uses at least two types of insulin, which are:

Types of insulin	Generic names	How it is used
Fast-acting insulin	Regular, Asparte, Lispro, Glulisina	It is usually used before meals or just after eating to keep glucose levels regulated after eating, preventing glucose from accumulating in the blood.
Slow insulin	NPH, Detemir, Glargina	It is generally used only 1 to 2 times a day, as its action lasts from 12 to 24 hours, with some reaching up to 30 hours, keeping sugar levels stable throughout the day.

These drugs can be found in any pharmacy and most are also available in the popular pharmacy, with access by SUS, according to the medical prescription.

To facilitate the application and reduce the number of injections, there are also combinations with insulin preparations, which combine 2 or more types of insulin, with fast and slow action.

In addition, an option is to use the insulin pump, which is a small device that is attached to the body, and can be programmed to release insulin quickly or slowly, according to the needs of each person.

Find out more details about what the main types of insulin are and how to apply.

Remedies for type 2 diabetes

The most commonly used remedies for type 2 diabetes are hypoglycemic or oral antidiabetics, which can be taken alone or combined to control blood sugar levels. Some examples include:

List of medicines	Therapeutic class	How it works	Most common side effects
Metformin	Biguanides	Decreases glucose production by the liver, improves glucose utilization by the body	Sickness and diarrhea
Glibenclamide, Glimepiride, Glipizide, Gliclazide	Sulphonylureas	Stimulates and increases the production of insulin by the pancreas	Hypoglycemia, weight gain
Acarbose, Miglitol	Alpha-glycosidase inhibitors	Decreases the absorption of glucose from food by the intestine	Increased intestinal gas, diarrhea
Rosiglitazone, Pioglitazone	Thiazolidinediones	Improves the use of glucose by the body	Weight gain, swelling, worsening heart failure
Exenatide, Liraglutide	GLP-1 agonists	Increases insulin release, decreases glucose, increases satiety and facilitates weight loss	Nausea, decreased appetite
Saxagliptin, Sitagliptin, Linagliptin	DPP-4 inhibitors	Decreases glucose after meals, increasing insulin production	Nausea
Dapagliflozin, Empagliflozin, Canagliflozin	SGLT2 inhibitor	Increases the elimination of glucose from the urine and facilitates weight loss	Higher risk of urinary tract infection

The most recent drugs, such as Exenatide, Liraglutide, Gliptinas and Glyphozins, are not yet available through the public network, however, the other drugs can be found free of charge in pharmacies.

In cases where glucose is too high, or when pill medications are no longer effective, the doctor may include insulin injections in the treatment. However, in order to treat type 2 diabetes, in addition to the use of medicines, it is essential to control sugars in conjunction with a controlled diet of carbohydrates, fat and salt, in addition to physical exercise. See what a diabetic diet should be like.

Diabetes medicine lose weight?

Diabetes drugs should not be used by people who want to lose weight but who do not have diabetes, because it is dangerous to health. The drugs used to control glycemia, in case of diabetes, have the effect of losing weight, because with better control of the blood sugar level the person feels less hungry, and it is easier to follow a weight loss diet.

However, the use of hypoglycemic agents should not be done by healthy people, who should instead choose to use foods, juices and teas that help to control blood sugar in a natural way, such as cinnamon, flour from passion fruit peel and flaxseed. ground golden, for example.

Home remedies for diabetes

Natural remedies for diabetes are great ways to complement treatment with medications, as they have properties that help reduce blood glucose. Some teas with this function are gorse, cinnamon or sage teas, for example. Check out the recipes for diabetes teas.

Another great home remedy is the use of passion fruit peel flour, as it contains pectin, a fiber that acts to reduce blood glucose. In addition, another blood glucose regulator is the São Caetano melon, which can be consumed in its natural form or as juice, for example.

In the treatment of diabetes it is important not to consume foods with large amounts of sugar or carbohydrates, such as jellies, cookies or potatoes. Alternatively, foods rich in fiber such as vegetables, apples, flaxseed, whole grain bread and natural juices should be consumed. See which fruits are recommended in people with diabetes.

See also the exercises you can do, which are explained in the following video: