Medications
A person who has
must take
every day because his or her
does not produce it. Insulin helps blood
sugar (glucose) enter the body's cells to be used for energy. Insulin can be
given as an injection into the fatty tissue under the skin or through an
.
Usually people with type 1
diabetes take a combination of types of insulin, such as a long-acting insulin
once or twice a day and a rapid-acting insulin before each meal. The amount and
type of insulin needed varies for each person. Also, the amount and type of
insulin needed changes over time, depending on age, hormones (such as during
rapid growth or pregnancy), and changes in exercise routine. Also, a
person may need higher doses of insulin during times of illness or emotional
stress.
Other medicines may be needed if a person develops
complications from diabetes, such as kidney disease.
A person also
may need medicines to treat
or
and help prevent complications from
diabetes. Talk to your doctor about whether you should take low-dose aspirin. Daily low-dose aspirin (81 milligrams) may help prevent heart problems if you are at risk for heart attack or stroke.