Medications in Diabetes Management (Clinical Rounds‪)‬

Diabetes affects more than 18.2 million individuals in the United States and an estimated 1.3 million new cases are diagnosed every year (1). Type 2 diabetes is most prevalent as it accounts for 90-95% of diabetes cases. Diabetes impacts the body's ability to properly process glucose due to impaired insulin secretion or impaired insulin sensitivity. Initially elevated glucose levels in the blood stream leading to an increased and prolonged insulin response. Eventually, the cells become resistant to the presence of insulin. As the cells become more resistant, the pancreas must work harder to continually produce higher levels of insulin and eventually the pancreas loses the ability to produce insulin. Many who suffer from type 2 diabetes can control it through diet and increased physical activity, but a great many individuals will also need treatment with oral medication, and if those fail to manage blood glucose levels properly, insulin is added to the treatment regimen. Because diabetes is so prevalent and likely to continue increasing as the population grows in both age and girth, it is important for exercise physiologists, physical therapists, and kinesiotherapists to understand how diabetes medications will impact diabetic treatment regimens. **********