PMID: 9540451Apr 16, 1998Paper

Therapy for type 2 diabetes mellitus

WMJ : Official Publication of the State Medical Society of Wisconsin
D F Elson, M Meredith

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a common, chronic disease affecting nearly 6% of the adult US population. It remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Wisconsin as well as the country. Multiple lines of evidence show that controlling blood glucose in patients with type 2 diabetes can significantly decrease the development of and/or progression of microvascular complications as well as the macrovascular complications of diabetes. There are now four different classes of oral medications which are available to treat diabetes-sulfonylureas, biguanides, thiazolidinediones, and alpha-glucosidase inhibitors. Each class works differently to treat the underlying defects of diabetes which include impaired insulin secretion, insulin resistance and exaggerated postprandial hyperglycemia. This article will compare and contrast the different agents available, including appropriate use of each agent as monotherapy and in combination therapy. It will also discuss use of insulin in the patient who has failed oral therapy. Rational use of these tools, tailored for the individuals metabolic abnormalities, should allow for good glycemic control in the majority of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Relaxation, massage, opium, and moder...Continue Reading

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