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Clinical Practice Guideline for Diabetes

The American Diabetes Association has developed guidelines for the clinical treatment of diabetes. Treatment depends on current condition and severity of the disease. Important components include insulin and diet. Exercise is also often recommended.

  1. Types

    • Type 1 diabetes usually affects children and young adults and requires insulin as part of treatment. Type 2 diabetes typically affects adults and may or may not require insulin.

    Diagnosis

    • Diabetes diagnosis is based on a fasting glucose level; this lab tests will show an abnormal insulin secretion pattern. This test is often done multiple times to confirm a diagnosis.

    Medications

    • Different types of glucose lowering medications are used with type 2 diabetes and sometimes used with type 1 diabetes. These medications include insulin secretagogues, which increase insulin production.

    Insulin

    • Four types of insulin are used in diabetes treatment: rapid acting, short acting, intermediate acting and long acting. The type of insulin is based on the length of time it takes for it to have an effect after injection. Insulin may be administered to people with type 2 diabetes based on their blood glucose level.

    Diet

    • A diabetic diet is recommended for people with both types of diabetes. Diabetic meal plans include exchange lists and carbohydrate counting.

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