Diabetes Management and Future Trends

Diabetes Management Treatment for type 1 diabetes mellitus may include multiple components. Blood sugar levels must be monitored throughout the day using a glucometer. Self-monitoring by the patient has become increasingly practical with the advent of small, portable glucometers and similar supplies.¹

Treatment with insulin is required for those with type 1 diabetes mellitus to provide consistent blood glucose management and prevent diabetic ketoacidosis. Diabetic ketoacidosis, the buildup of harmful ketones in the body due to the utilization of fat for energy, is a serious threat for diabetic patients.² Multiple brands of insulin exist, each producing products that vary in intensity and length of action. Rapid-acting, long-acting and intermediate forms of insulin are available and may be administered via insulin pump, injection or an insulin pen.³ Rapid-acting insulin treatments include insulin aspart, glulisine and lispro. Regular insulin is considered short-acting and insulin neutral protamine Hagedorn (NPH) is intermediate-acting. Insulin determir and glargine are both long-acting varieties of insulin.⁴

One or a combination of these insulin options are tailored for the patient based on…

ABBREVIATIONS: NPH - Neutral protamine Hagedorn, ACE - Angiotensin-converting enzyme, ARBs - Angiotensin II receptor blockers, SGLT-2 - Sodium glucose cotransporter-2, DPP-4 - Dipeptidyl peptidase 4, GLP-1 - Glucagon-like peptide-1, CDC - Center for Disease Control and Prevention, DPCP - Diabetes Prevention and Control Program