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How Diabetes Medicines Work
How Diabetes Medicines WorkMedicines can play an important role in managing your diabetes.You and your diabetes care team will decide which medicine is right for you.Diabetes medicines work with the other parts of your management plan to help you achieve your blood glucosegoals.To understand how your medicines help manage your blood glucose, let’s see what happens when you eat.When you eat, your body breaks down most of the food into glucose, a form of sugar, and releases hormonesthat travel to your pancreas.The glucose enters your bloodstream causing your blood glucose level to rise.In response to this rise in glucose and release of hormones, the pancreas releases insulin. Insulin works like akey to open the cells and let glucose enter.The glucose is used for energy now or it is stored in the cells for later use.As insulin works to move the glucose out of your bloodstream and into the cells, your blood glucose leveldrops.However, you still need glucose for energy.To keep your blood glucose level from dropping too low in between meals, your pancreas releases glucagon.Glucagon triggers the liver to release stored glucose which can be used by the cells for energy.In people who don’t have diabetes, the body maintains a balance of glucose and insulin in the bloodstream,keeping your blood glucose in a healthy range no matter what, or when, you’ve eaten.But when you have type 2 diabetes, this process is out of balance and too much glucose builds up in thebloodstream. This is called high blood glucose or hyperglycemia.The causes of type 2 diabetes vary from person to person.When you eat, the hormones that are released may not tell your pancreas to release insulin.Your pancreas may not make or release enough insulin. Your liver may release too much stored glucose intoyour bloodstream.Or your cells may have trouble taking in glucose because they can’t use insulin. This is called insulinresistance.This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.HCDB10138B EN HowDiabetesMedicinesWork.pdf© The Wellness NetworkPage 1 of 2How Diabetes Medicines WorkThere are several classes of non-insulin medicines used to treat each of these conditions. And more are beingdeveloped all the time. Your healthcare provider will prescribe the medicine that works best to manage yourblood glucose level.Although Diabetes is complex, it’s manageable when you have the right information and support. Diabeteseducators are trained to be your diabetes expert and can help you learn how to successfully thrive withdiabetes. You deserve nothing less!Ask your provider for a referral today! Find one at www.DiabetesEducator.org/find.This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.HCDB10138B EN HowDiabetesMedicinesWork.pdf© The Wellness NetworkPage 2 of 2
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