Treatment for Diabetes? Benefits and Side Effects?

Written by Omnia Tantawy, M.Sc. Medical & Pharm Biotech

Medically reviewed by Nikhil Kapoor, BS Pharm

2 Shares

As one of the most commonly diagnosed and incurable diseases, diabetes mellitus remains serious, life-altering, and sometimes even fatal. But despite having no cure, many treatment options are available to manage the condition and alleviate the symptoms.^1–3

In this article, we’ll go through the currently available treatment options for diabetes mellitus — think of it as your treatment guide! Nevertheless, you should always consult your doctor before trying anything to avoid any unwanted complications.^4–6

Table Of Contents

First Steps to Treating Diabetes
What Are the Available Treatment Options for Diabetes?
Injectable Treatment for Diabetes Mellitus — Insulin
Side Effects of Insulin
Oral Medications for Diabetes
Side Effects of Metformin
Artificial Pancreas
Managing Diabetes Mellitus — Everyday Practices
Conclusion
References

First Steps to Treating Diabetes

Treating diabetes depends mainly on which type of diabetes you have, and the severity of your condition. While many patients require taking medications, others only need some lifestyle changes and exercise.

So, it’s very important to get a conclusive diagnosis from your doctor so that they can best decide on the most suitable treatment option for you.

What Are the Available Treatment Options for Diabetes?

Treatment for type 1 diabetes will always be insulin, but for type 2 diabetes this is not always the case. There are many options for patients with type 2 diabetes and they range from mild to severe conditions.

One thing to keep in mind though is that diabetes is a lifelong condition, which means that you may change your medication from time to time with good management, treatment response, and new scientific breakthroughs. As the American Diabetes Association, puts it “It’s common for your medication needs to change over time. And that’s a good thing. The most important thing is to get to feeling your best.”⁷

Injectable Treatment for Diabetes Mellitus — Insulin

Even though insulin has previously been a kind of ‘last resort’ treatment option for diabetic patients, nowadays, it may be prescribed as a second line of treatment when a patient doesn’t respond to lifestyle changes. ⁸

There are many types of insulin, and they differ depending on how fast they act and how long they last, these include the following:⁹

Long-acting: works within 2 hours and lasts about a day
Short-acting: works within 30 minutes and lasts about 3-6 hours
Intermediate-acting: works within 2-4 hours and lasts about 12-18 hours
Rapid-acting: works within 15 minutes and lasts about 2-4 hours
Ultra-acting: starts working after 6 hours and lasts more than a day and a half

These types are especially useful for patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus because their bodies lack insulin completely, so they need more specific control in their day-to-day life.

There are many ways you can take your insulin; these include the following:

Needle and Syringe
Pen
Pump
Jet injector

And even though, injections are among other methods of taking insulin. There is also another less invasive method to get insulin — getting insulin through the nose ‘intranasal’ administration. A study published in the Journal of Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism, in 2018, that taking insulin through the nose may cause nose irritation which is unsafe for long-term use.

Side Effects of Insulin

Side effects of insulin on diabetics are typically rare and they mostly involve allergic reactions or infections from the injection site.¹⁰ So, you should always be on the lookout for any of these warning signs: ¹¹

Nausea
Rash
Redness or swelling at the site of injection
Wheezing
Shortness of breath
Fatigue
Abnormal heartbeats
Cramps
Dizziness
Blurry vision
Weight gain
Constipation
Risk of low blood sugar, high triglycerides, and ketoacidosis

If you experience any of these side effects, please consult your doctor or go to a hospital immediately.

Oral Medications for Diabetes

Aside from insulin, there are several medications that your doctor may prescribe to control and manage your blood glucose levels. These can include drugs that:^12–15

Stimulate your pancreas to increase the production of insulin
Inhibits the production of glucose from the liver
Blocking the action of intestinal enzymes that break carbohydrates
Preventing reabsorption of sugar via the kidneys

Metformin is the most commonly prescribed oral medication for patients with diabetes and is sold under different brand names. It has the advantage of being in a pill form so it’s less invasive than injections and easier to consume than insulin.

That being said, your doctor will prescribe the class of medication most suitable for you.^16–20

Side Effects of Metformin

The side effects of metformin include the following:

Nausea
Vomiting
Upset stomach
Diarrhea
Loss of appetite
Vitamin B12 deficiency
Metallic taste
Low blood sugar

Other serious side effects that need immediate medical attention include the following:²¹

Allergic reaction
Extreme fatigue
Irregular breathing (too fast or too slow)
Feeling cold
Slow heartbeat
Skin discoloration (brown or black color)
Yellowing of the eyes or skin

Artificial Pancreas

This type of treatment is specifically for patients with type 1 diabetes where it utilizes a system that mimics the role of the pancreas in a healthy person —monitoring blood glucose levels and secreting insulin when it’s needed.^22–24

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, best explains it “An artificial pancreas is a system of three devices that work together to mimic how a healthy pancreas controls blood glucose in the body. A continuous glucose monitor (CGM) tracks blood glucose levels every few minutes using a small sensor inserted under the skin that is held in place with an adhesive pad. The CGM wirelessly sends the information to a program on a smartphone or an insulin infusion pump. The program calculates how much insulin you need. The insulin infusion pump will adjust how much insulin is given from minute to minute to help keep your blood glucose level in your target range.”²⁵

This technology is considered revolutionary as it significantly improved the quality of life of many patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Managing Diabetes Mellitus — Everyday Practices

Whether your doctor prescribes medication or not, if you’re diagnosed with diabetes (type 1,2, gestational) or prediabetes, you should alternate your lifestyle to be healthier. Eating healthy and exercising are also a part of your treatment plan so that you can avoid any life-threatening complications and improve your quality of life.^26–28

A study published in the Journal of Applied Nursing Research, in 2014, proved the importance of reducing stress, exercising regularly, and eating healthily in women with gestational diabetes. The authors wrote “Mindfulness eating, and yoga exercise had health benefits on glycemic control in pregnant women with GDM. It should be recommended in clinical and community health services.”²⁹

Below are some everyday practices that you can work on with your doctor, and nutritionist to best manage your condition:

Manage your stress
Exercise regularly
Eat healthily
Cut down on alcohol
Avoid smoking
Control your cholesterol level
Follow up with your doctor regularly
Monitor your blood glucose levels regularly
Take care of your teeth and hygiene

Conclusion

If left untreated, diabetes can cause severe complications that may be life-threatening. Even though there isn’t any cure for diabetes yet, there are various treatment options available to control blood sugar levels and manage the condition.

Eating healthily and regular exercise can make all the difference in improving a patient’s life.

References

References

1. Bastaki S. Diabetes mellitus and its treatment. Dubai Diabetes and Endocrinology Journal [Internet]. 2005 [cited 2022 Oct 30];13(3):111–34. Available from: https://www.karger.com/Article/FullText/497580

2. Asche C, LaFleur J, Conner C. A Review of Diabetes Treatment Adherence and the Association with Clinical and Economic Outcomes. Clin Ther. 2011 Jan 1;33(1):74–109. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21397776/

3. Nathan DM. Diabetes: Advances in Diagnosis and Treatment. JAMA [Internet]. 2015 Sep 8 [cited 2022 Oct 30];314(10):1052–62. Available from: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2434688

4. Schmid V, Kullmann S, Gfrörer W, Hund V, Hallschmid M, Lipp HP, et al. Safety of intranasal human insulin: A review. Diabetes Obes Metab [Internet]. 2018 Jul 1 [cited 2022 Oct 30];20(7):1563–77. Available from: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/dom.13279

5. Cole JB, Florez JC. Genetics of diabetes mellitus and diabetes complications. Nature Reviews Nephrology 2020 16:7 [Internet]. 2020 May 12 [cited 2022 Oct 30];16(7):377–90. Available from: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41581-020-0278-5

6. Mauricio D, Alonso N, Gratacòs M. Chronic Diabetes Complications: The Need to Move beyond Classical Concepts. Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism. 2020 Apr 1;31(4):287–95. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32033865/

7. Medication & Treatments | ADA [Internet]. [cited 2022 Oct 30]. Available from: https://diabetes.org/healthy-living/medication-treatments

8. Rother DrKI. Diabetes Treatment — Bridging the Divide. N Engl J Med [Internet]. 2007 Apr 4 [cited 2022 Oct 30];356(15):1499. Available from: /pmc/articles/PMC4152979/

9. Ahmad K. Insulin sources and types: a review of insulin in terms of its mode on diabetes mellitus. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine. 2014 Apr 15;34(2):234–7. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24783939/

10. Insulin Side Effects [Internet]. [cited 2022 Oct 30]. Available from: https://www.diabetes.co.uk/insulin/insulin-side-effects.html

11. Kashi Z, Akha O, Borzouei S, Bahar A. Insulin therapy: Side effects and their management. Clinical Excellence [Internet]. 2013 [cited 2022 Oct 30];1(2):1–16. Available from: http://ce.mazums.ac.ir/article-1-48-en.html

12. Okur ME, Karantas ID, Siafaka PI. Diabetes mellitus: A review on pathophysiology, current status of oral medications and future perspectives. Acta Pharmaceutica Sciencia [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2022 Oct 30];55(1):61–82. Available from: https://earsiv.anadolu.edu.tr/xmlui/handle/11421/13312

13. Bennett WL, Odelola OA, Wilson LM, Bolen S, Selvaraj S, Robinson KA, et al. Evaluation of guideline recommendations on oral medications for type 2 diabetes mellitus: A system review. Ann Intern Med. 2012;156(1):27–36. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22213492/

14. Bolen S, Feldman L, Vassy J, Wilson L, Yeh HC, Marinopoulos S, et al. Systematic review: Comparative effectiveness and safety of oral medications for type 2 diabetes mellitus. Ann Intern Med. 2007 Sep 18;147(6):386–99. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17638715/

15. Tran L, Zielinski A, Roach AH, Jende JA, Householder AM, Cole EE, et al. Pharmacologic Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes. http://dx.doi.org/101177/1060028014558289 [Internet]. 2015 Feb 9 [cited 2022 Oct 30];49(5):540–56. Available from: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1060028014558289?casa_token=C1kVEhXNHpAAAAAA%3Asp1xYWRwlS07jOpwv-MOBO7Z1oi9KWBWh7JbVsNEmB6euC8eEJiliOq6FPdIadX3S7Di8ESnSAfi

16. Pernicova I, Korbonits M. Metformin—mode of action and clinical implications for diabetes and cancer. Nature Reviews Endocrinology 2014 10:3 [Internet]. 2014 Jan 7 [cited 2022 Oct 30];10(3):143–56. Available from: https://www.nature.com/articles/nrendo.2013.256

17. Foretz M, Guigas B, Viollet B. Understanding the glucoregulatory mechanisms of metformin in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Nature Reviews Endocrinology 2019 15:10 [Internet]. 2019 Aug 22 [cited 2022 Oct 30];15(10):569–89. Available from: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41574-019-0242-2

18. Sanchez-Rangel E, Inzucchi SE. Metformin: clinical use in type 2 diabetes. Diabetologia [Internet]. 2017 Sep 1 [cited 2022 Oct 30];60(9):1586–93. Available from: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00125-017-4336-x

19. Siavash M, Tabbakhian M, Sabzghabaee AM, Razavi N. Severity of gastrointestinal side effects of metformin tablet compared to metformin capsule in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. J Res Pharm Pract [Internet]. 2017 [cited 2022 Oct 30];6(2):73. Available from: https://journals.lww.com/jrpp/Fulltext/2017/06020/Severity_of_Gastrointestinal_Side_Effects_of.2.aspx

20. Thomas I, Gregg B. Metformin; a review of its history and future: from lilac to longevity. Pediatr Diabetes [Internet]. 2017 Feb 1 [cited 2022 Oct 30];18(1):10–6. Available from: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/pedi.12473

21. Side effects of metformin – NHS [Internet]. [cited 2022 Oct 30]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/metformin/side-effects-of-metformin/

22. Cobelli C, Renard E, Kovatchev B. Artificial Pancreas: Past, Present, Future. Diabetes [Internet]. 2011 Nov 1 [cited 2022 Oct 30];60(11):2672–82. Available from: https://diabetesjournals.org/diabetes/article/60/11/2672/33485/Artificial-Pancreas-Past-Present-Future

23. Peyser T, Dassau E, Breton M, Skyler JS. The artificial pancreas: current status and future prospects in the management of diabetes. Ann N Y Acad Sci [Internet]. 2014 Apr 1 [cited 2022 Oct 30];1311(1):102–23. Available from: https://nyaspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/nyas.12431

24. Thabit H, Hovorka R. Coming of age: the artificial pancreas for type 1 diabetes. Diabetologia [Internet]. 2016 Sep 1 [cited 2022 Oct 30];59(9):1795–805. Available from: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00125-016-4022-4

25. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) [Internet]. [cited 2022 Oct 30]. Available from: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/

26. Parr EB, Heilbronn LK, Hawley JA. A Time to Eat and a Time to Exercise. Exerc Sport Sci Rev [Internet]. 2020 Jan 1 [cited 2022 Oct 30];48(1):4. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6948807/

27. Alharbi M, Gallagher R, Kirkness A, Sibbritt D, Tofler G. Long-term outcomes from Healthy Eating and Exercise Lifestyle Program for overweight people with heart disease and diabetes. European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing [Internet]. 2016 Feb 1 [cited 2022 Oct 30];15(1):91–9. Available from: https://academic.oup.com/eurjcn/article/15/1/91/5932438

28. Non-adherence to diet and exercise recommendations amongst patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus attending Extension II Clinic in Botswana : original research | African Journal of Primary Health Care and Family Medicine [Internet]. [cited 2022 Oct 30]. Available from: https://journals.co.za/doi/abs/10.10520/EJC136758