created: 29.09.2004
last modified: 29.09.2004
The biggest problem for type-2 diabetes has always been and still is the late diagnosis of the disease. Recent studies show that "age diabetes" is being discovered on the average of 4 years after a possible detection by a blood glucose test. That means the actual beginning of the disease lies even further in the past. Furthermore the study claims that the intensive insulin therapy doesn't start before an average of 16 years after a conspicuous blood glucose test
Consequences of a late treatment
The logical consequences of a late diagnosis or treatment are the consequential damages of diabetes mellitus that are of course strongly supported by non-treatment. The Risk of retinopathy (eye disease), nephropathy (kidney disease), neuropathy (nerve disease) or diabetic foot disease is immensely increased. Also the rate of heart attack and stroke patients is remarkably higher.
Primary objective
As a matter of fact you don't have to take that risk. A quick and intensive reduction of the blood glucose level immediately after the diagnosis reduces the number of diabetic complications. Combinational therapies often show to be most effective in this case.
Insulin in combination
A long time therapy with oral hypoglycaemic agents (OHGAs) often doesn't really pay. On one hand you can combine different OHGAs to lower the blood glucose level, but on the other hand normally this will take longer and may lead to unwanted reciprocation. Also, you have to pay huge attention to the type of OHGA that fits you.
An early combination of OHGAs and insulin proves as an efficient method to reach a metabolic setting that's near the "normal".
If acute metabolic irregularities occur, gestational diabetes or a heart attack you should switch to a mono-insulin therapy. Beware that at the beginning of the insulin therapy you must attend a seminar to learn the to-dos and the do-nots of an insulin therapy.
So, when the diagnosis says "type-2 diabetes" you shouldn't stay away from insulin therapy for too long. Verifiably the risk of diabetic consequential damage can hereby be minimised. If you still have worries, speak to your trusted doctor to discuss the possibilities of a combinational therapy.
