Definition
Among the metabolic pathologies, diabetes plays a leading role, given the high number of patients affected; type 1 diabetes mellitus is the result of an alteration of the metabolism triggered by a poor functionality / availability of insulin, the hormone involved in the regulation of blood glucose levels. Type 1 (insulin-dependent) and type 2 (insulin-independent) diabetes mellitus is distinguished.
Causes
Typical of juvenile age, type 1 diabetes mellitus is the consequence of an absolute defect of insulin, therefore, this condition is defined as insulin-dependent; insulin deficiency, in turn, is caused by destruction of the pancreatic beta cells (used for its synthesis), following an autoimmune disease in which the antibodies turn their damaging action against pancreatic beta cells.
- The unbalanced diet, rich in sugars and an incorrect lifestyle can contribute to accentuating diabetes.
Symptoms
The element that unites the various forms of diabetes is due to hyperglycemia, often associated with ketonemia, weight reduction, intense hunger, overproduction of urine, nocturia, blurred vision, polyuria, thirst. Diabetes increases the risk of contracting skin and urinary tract infections.
Information on Type 1 Diabetes - Type 1 Diabetes Drugs is not intended to replace the direct relationship between health professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking Type 1 Diabetes - Type 1 Diabetes Drugs.
drugs
Type 1 diabetes mellitus must be treated with life-long drugs, starting from the moment it is diagnosed: diabetics must take insulin to ensure a constant blood sugar level in the body, avoiding excessive blood sugar spikes.
The drug treatment aims to control the symptoms of diabetes and avoid serious complications, especially long-term ones.
The discovery of the subcutaneous administration of insulin for the treatment of diabetes was a great achievement for science, which made it possible to transform diabetes from a deadly disease (until the second decade of the twentieth century) to a manageable disease.
There are various forms of insulin, distinguished on the basis of latency time, peak time and duration of action.
The therapy aimed at treating the symptoms of type 1 diabetes mellitus involves the administration of insulin by subcutaneous injection; oral hypoglycemic agents, indicated for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, cannot be taken in the insulin-dependent form.
Drugs for the treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus
- Ultra-fast-acting insulin: Insulin Lispro (eg Humalog, Liprolog, Humalog Mix) and Insulin Aspart (eg Novorapid, Novomix). The action of the drug occurs 10-15 minutes after the injection; for this reason these insulins are used just before the meal for the control of postprandial blood glucose. Inject the drug into the abdominal wall or thigh, being careful not to administer the drug always in the same spot.
General lines to calculate the dose of drug (insulin) to be injected: multiply the body weight (kg) by 0.05 mg: you will get a value that must be rounded to the whole number. If for example a value of 2.4 mg is obtained, it should be considered equivalent to 2 (2 mg: dose to be injected).
- Fast-acting insulin (eg Actrapid, Insulin human winthrop, Insuman Rapid): the action of the drug is expressed in about 30 minutes and disappears after 4-8 hours. It should be taken half an hour before the meal or when the blood sugar rises too high. Inject the drug into the abdominal wall or thigh, respecting the dosages established by the doctor.
- Intermediate action insulin (eg. Insuman Basal, Monotard): this type of insulin takes effect after a couple of hours, and the duration of action is guaranteed for 8-12 hours. Often, it is associated with slow insulin to control blood glucose levels before lunch. This drug should also be injected into the thigh or leg. The dosage and timing of administration must be established by the doctor.
- Slow insulin: it comes into action after a couple of hours and covers almost the entire day (18-24 hours): the slowing down of the therapeutic action is made possible by the presence of zinc. Generally, only two slow insulin injections a day are required to ensure a steady blood sugar level. In most cases, the drug is injected onto the thigh; alternatively it is possible to take the drug also by injection on the abdomen, buttocks or shoulder. You can take this insulin with rapid insulin with meals.
- Ultralent insulin (eg Ultratard): as the word suggests, this type of insulin has a delayed action (thanks to zinc, which is able to slow down therapeutic activity). A single injection of ultra-rapid insulin per day is sufficient to ensure its effect, although the diabetic patient often injects small doses of rapid insulin just before the start of the meal. The drug is available in 10 ml vials containing 40IU / ml of insulin zinc (human suspension). In general, to treat type 1 diabetes mellitus, it is recommended to inject a drug dose of 0.5 to 1 IU / kg. The exact dose must be determined by the doctor.
- Insulin glargine (eg Lantus, Optisulin): just like the previous insulin, the action activity of this drug is ultra-slow, so one injection per day is sufficient. It is possible to associate other types of insulins (rapids) just before the meal. The drug is available in 3 ml cartridges, 3 ml disposable pens and 10 ml bottles (all formulations contain 100 IU / ml of insulin glargine). It is recommended to administer the drug approximately always at the same time.
- Insulin and protamine (eg Protaphane): called insulin "NpH" (Neutral protamine Hagedorn), this drug acts in a similar way to slow insulin due to the presence of protamine which slows down the therapeutic action. An injection of insulin and protamine, repeated twice a day, is the general therapeutic indication to treat type 1 diabetes mellitus.
Correction of eating habits is essential to keep blood sugar under control; clearly, all foods rich in sugars (honey, sugar, biscuits, ice creams, sweets in general, chocolate, jam, carbonated and sugary drinks), dried fruit, highly sugary fruit (bananas, figs, persimmons, grapes, pomegranate). On the other hand, foods such as whole grain pasta and rice, artificial sweeteners, vegetables, low-sugar fruit and light foods are included in the list of products that can be taken by diabetes mellitus patients.
