Diabetes Education: Why It’s So Crucial To Care
Diabetes education is the cornerstone of diabetes management, because diabetes requires day-to-day knowledge of nutrition, exercise, monitoring, and medication, according to Patricia Bonsignore, M.S., R.N., C.D.E., Diabetes Educator at the Joslin Diabetes Center. Importance of Diabetes Education Diabetes is unlike other diseases, such as cholesterol and hypertension, where medication alone can often times successfully treat it, Bonsignore says. There are a lot of other components to diabetes, such as: the diabetes disease process, nutritional management, physical activity, medications, glucose monitoring, and psychosocial adjustment. Diabetes education makes you more aware of diabetes, what it takes to treat it, and gives you the power to control it. Diabetes education allows you to better incorporate education into your life and make the necessary changes to improve your lifestyle. Who to Involve in your Diabetes Education Diabetes education and self-management training should be done with a team, according to Bonsignore. The team should consist ideally of: If you don’t have access to all of these people, Bonsignore says to check with your local hospital to see what diabetes education services are available, or ask your primary care physician about the endocrinologists in your area. Best Practices for Diabetes Education It’s a good idea to have individual diabetes education as well as group education. In a group, you may feel more comfortable because people have the same concerns, you can share your experiences and frustrations, and hear answers to questions you may not have thought of yourself. However, Bonsignore says it’s very important that you create an individual plan after the group visit, because everyone’s lifestyle is different. Your diabetes self-man Continue reading >>
Importance Of Managing Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a serious condition that needs to be treated as such and one that can have dire consequences if it is not given the proper respect. Here we will look at what type 2 diabetes is, why it is such a serious threat, and how to go about managing it. What Is Type 2 Diabetes? Diabetes is defined by an abundance of glucose in the blood stream which in turn causes a range of health problems in itself. This is due to problems with the insulin produced by the body which is what enables us to utilize the sugar in our system. In type I diabetes there is a lack of insulin in the body as it does not produce enough, whereas in type 2 the insulin is not as effective and the body has built up essentially an immunity. This then means that type 2 diabetes results in the seemingly contradictory state of lethargy combined with excess blood sugar. That blood sugar is also highly damaging to the body causing nerve damage which has a range of symptoms including tingling hands and feet, relative coldness in the extremities, blurred vision and more. Other symptoms are constant need to urinate, constant thirst and increased hunger. Type 2 diabetes is most often caused by obesity in those who are genetically predisposed to the condition. How to Manage Type 2 Diabetes There are many ways to manage type 2 diabetes. Simply reducing your intake of sugar/glucose can help to achieve this as you this way are not 'adding fuel to the fire' as it were. To achieve this there are various forms of self monitoring that can be used such as the use of biofeedback devices which provide you with a measurement of your blood glucose. At the same time maintaining good health and bodyweight can also help, as can utilizing shots of insulin – this is necessary as the pancreas attempts to compensate for Continue reading >>
Diabetes Management
The term diabetes includes several different metabolic disorders that all, if left untreated, result in abnormally high concentration of a sugar called glucose in the blood. Diabetes mellitus type 1 results when the pancreas no longer produces significant amounts of the hormone insulin, usually owing to the autoimmune destruction of the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas. Diabetes mellitus type 2, in contrast, is now thought to result from autoimmune attacks on the pancreas and/or insulin resistance. The pancreas of a person with type 2 diabetes may be producing normal or even abnormally large amounts of insulin. Other forms of diabetes mellitus, such as the various forms of maturity onset diabetes of the young, may represent some combination of insufficient insulin production and insulin resistance. Some degree of insulin resistance may also be present in a person with type 1 diabetes. The main goal of diabetes management is, as far as possible, to restore carbohydrate metabolism to a normal state. To achieve this goal, individuals with an absolute deficiency of insulin require insulin replacement therapy, which is given through injections or an insulin pump. Insulin resistance, in contrast, can be corrected by dietary modifications and exercise. Other goals of diabetes management are to prevent or treat the many complications that can result from the disease itself and from its treatment. Overview[edit] Goals[edit] The treatment goals are related to effective control of blood glucose, blood pressure and lipids, to minimize the risk of long-term consequences associated with diabetes. They are suggested in clinical practice guidelines released by various national and international diabetes agencies. The targets are: HbA1c of 6%[1] to 7.0%[2] Preprandial blood Continue reading >>
Importance Of Self-care Behaviors In Diabetes Management
Abstract: Diabetes educators are healthcare professionals such as nurses, dietitians, pharmacists, exercise specialists, physicians, and social workers, who specialize in diabetes education and who make a significant contribution to the care and management of persons with diabetes. The specialty of diabetes education has advanced to be based increasingly on evidence and focussed on achieving desired outcomes.The emphasis on outcomes-based interventions comes from both the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education,1 which emphasizes program outcomes, and the Standards for Outcomes Measurement of Diabetes Self-Management Education2 of the American Association of Diabetes Educators, which focusses on individual patient outcomes as well as the reporting of aggregate patient data. Diabetes is a complex disease requiring the adoption of numerous skills and behaviors in order for the disease to be managed successfully. Diabetes education seeks to reach these goals: provide knowledge and skill training; facilitate problem-solving; help individuals identify barriers; motivate for lifestyle adaptation; and develop coping skills to achieve goals. The unique and valued outcome of diabetes education is behavior change. Diabetes educators recognize the value of facilitating behavior change that can positively affect clinical indicators and lead to improved health status. Figure 1 outlines the process in which improved health outcomes are realized. Diabetes educators help patients with diabetes acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to manage their disease on a daily basis. However, knowledge alone will not lead to improved clinical outcomes and the resulting long-term outcome of improved health—behavior change—is also necessary for clinical indicators to impro Continue reading >>
Importance Of Diabetes Management
A pharmacist explains to the patient the importance of taking diabetes medications as prescribed. Discussion points include remembering to take prescribed medication every day and refilling medications at the proper date. SIGN UP FOR THE PHARMACY TIMES NEWSLETTER Personalize the information you receive by selecting targeted content and special offers. Pharmacy Times is the #1 full-service pharmacy media resource in the industry. Founded in 1897, Pharmacy Times reaches a network of over 1.3 million retail pharmacists. Through our print, digital and live events channels, Pharmacy Times provides clinically based, practical and timely information for the practicing pharmacist. Features and specialized departments cover medication errors, drug interactions, patient education, pharmacy technology, disease state management, patient counseling, product news, pharmacy law and health-system pharmacy. Pharmacy Times Continuing Education (PTCE) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. Continue reading >>
Why It's Important To Manage Your Diabetes
Managing and treating gestational diabetes is essential in protecting your baby By Associate Professor TAN Thiam Chye Head & Senior Consultant, Dr TAN Shu Qi Senior O&G Resident, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, KK Women's and Children's Hospital Don't worry excessively if you're diagnosed with gestational diabetes. You can keep it under control so you can enjoy a healthy pregnancy and baby. Here's what you need to know about managing gestational diabetes mellitus, or GDM, and how your baby will fare if you're diagnosed: Will Gestational Diabetes Pose a Risk to Baby? GDM can increase the risks of your baby developing these conditions: Congenital abnormalities Health problems such as breathing difficulties, low blood sugar or low calcium levels Becoming overweight and large. When your baby weighs more than four kilograms, it is a condition known as macrosomia. This is heavier than most newborns and may result in a longer and more difficult delivery, if not a Caesarean section. If your baby's shoulder gets stuck in the birth canal, it will be considered an obstetric emergency and the delivery method may result in injury to your baby Jaundice after birth Sudden foetal death Diabetes later in life Related: 5 Things to Know About Gestational Diabetes What Can You Do to Manage GDM and Keep Your Baby Safe? Just because you have GDM doesn't mean that your pregnancy will have complications. GDM is temporary and often resolves after childbirth. You can protect your baby too by taking these active steps to manage your gestational diabetes: Monitor your blood glucose levels to ensure they're not out of control Reduce your intake of sugary and fattenings foods as these may cause excessive weight gain and increase blood sugar levels While you need to cut out unhealthy and Continue reading >>
The Importance Of Diabetes Management
Managing, or Lack of Managing, Diabetes: “But I feel great!” is a statement I hear often during discussions with some of my diabetic patients having difficulty following their prescription medicine routines. They don’t feel sick; the medications may have temporary side effects, so they think they are better off without them. What’s not realized is the damage taking place internally that affects your blood vessels and nervous system, adding proverbial straws to the camel’s back. By the time most people take notice, they already have some decline in kidney function, nerve damage leading to neuropathic pain, and other conditions that cannot be reversed at that point. It is very difficult to keep people motivated to fight against something they are not consciously aware is happening. The Partnership with your Primary Care Provider: Many follow up doc visits begin with the phrases “I have been bad” or “You are going to be so mad at me”. Your doctor is a person just like you are and have the same temptations. We are not here to tell you what to do…the relationship must be a partnership in order to succeed. If your diet or lifestyle patterns are dictated by cultural or religious views, speak up so those can be considered in the planning for your treatment. If there are physical limitations your doctor is unaware of, make them known so appropriate activities can be recommended. I always impress upon my patients that they are the centerpiece in the control of their diabetes, and making recommendations that they either can’t or won’t do is no good for either party. Playing an active role in disease management makes a world of difference. Resources: No matter where you are, there are lots of resources online and locally. The Kehl Diabetes Center offers clas Continue reading >>
Diabetes Management: How Lifestyle, Daily Routine Affect Blood Sugar
Diabetes management requires awareness. Know what makes your blood sugar level rise and fall — And how to control these day-to-day factors. Keeping your blood sugar levels within the range recommended by your doctor can be challenging. That's because many things make your blood sugar levels change, sometimes unexpectedly. Following are some factors that can affect your blood sugar levels. Food Healthy eating is a cornerstone of healthy living — with or without diabetes. But if you have diabetes, you need to know how foods affect your blood sugar levels. It's not only the type of food you eat but also how much you eat and the combinations of food types you eat. What to do: Learn about carbohydrate counting and portion sizes. A key to many diabetes management plans is learning how to count carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are the foods that often have the biggest impact on your blood sugar levels. And for people taking mealtime insulin, it's crucial to know the amount of carbohydrates in your food, so you get the proper insulin dose. Learn what portion size is appropriate for each type of food. Simplify your meal planning by writing down portions for the foods you eat often. Use measuring cups or a scale to ensure proper portion size and an accurate carbohydrate count. Make every meal well-balanced. As much as possible, plan for every meal to have a good mix of starches, fruits and vegetables, proteins and fats. It's especially important to pay attention to the types of carbohydrates you choose. Some carbohydrates, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains, are better for you than are others. These foods are low in carbohydrates and contain fiber that helps keep your blood sugar levels more stable. Talk to your doctor, nurse or dietitian about the best food choices and Continue reading >>
The Importance Of Healthy Eating When You Have Diabetes
Your browser does not support the video tag. Healthy eating may be the most important tool you have in managing your diabetes. It can make your blood glucose management easier, because what you eat has an immediate effect on your blood glucose level. Here's why: When you eat, most of the food is turned into glucose, a form of sugar, which enters the bloodstream. If you choose foods that cause your blood glucose to rise too high, and it remains high over time, health problems may develop. By making healthy food choices, you can bring your blood glucose into a healthy range and keep it there. Healthy eating can help you lose weight or maintain a healthy weight, which can also improve your blood glucose and reduce the complications of diabetes, like heart disease, kidney disease and eye disease. And, if you exercise regularly along with making healthy food choices, you may find you need less medication. So what are these healthful food choices? Everyone can benefit from choosing from a wide variety of fresh, unprocessed foods, like: whole grains, pastas, beans, lentils, fruits, vegetables, fat-free or low-fat milk and cheeses, and lean meats. But making these changes isn't easy. Take some time now to think about your lifestyle, and diabetes management, and how the food choices you make fit into your management plan. Is there a place in your lifestyle where you can focus on making small changes to help bring your blood glucose into a healthy range? If you are unsure about how to make healthy food choices, meet with a registered dietitian. A registered dietitian can help you learn what foods are healthier than others and give you some tips and tricks to help make healthy eating a part of your life. To see how your food choices affect your diabetes, you need to monitor your b Continue reading >>
Diabetes Control: Why It's Important
People who have diabetes may hear or read a lot about controlling, or managing, the condition. But what is diabetes control and why is it so important? When you hear your doctors or health care providers talk about "diabetes control," they're usually referring to how close your blood sugar, or , is kept to the desired range. Having too much or too little sugar in your blood can make you feel sick now and cause health problems later. Managing diabetes is like a three-way balancing act: The medicines you take (insulin or pills), the food you eat, and the amount of exercise you getall need to be in sync. don't take diabetes medicines as directed don't follow the meal plan (like eating too much or not enough food without adjusting diabetes medicines) don't get regular exercise or exercise more or less than usual without making changes to the diabetes plan What Can Happen if Diabetes Is Not Under Control? Out-of-control blood sugar levels can lead to short-term problems like hypoglycemia , hyperglycemia , or diabetic ketoacidosis . In the long run, not controlling diabetes can damage important organs, like the heart, kidneys, eyes, and nerves. This means that heart disease and stroke, kidney disease, vision problems, and nerve problems can happen to people with diabetes. These problems don't usually show up in kids or teens who have had the disease for only a few years, but they can happen to adults with diabetes. Kids and teens with diabetes who don't control their blood sugar levels can be late going into puberty and might not end up as tall as they would have otherwise. The good news is that keeping blood sugar levels under control can help keep you healthy and prevent health problems from happening later. How Do I Know When My Diabetes Is Under Control? If you have diab Continue reading >>
The Importance Of Weight Management In Diabetes
Adults who are overweight or obese are more likely to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (diabetes that is most often diagnosed in adulthood). In fact, approximately 80% to 90% of people with type 2 diabetes are overweight or obese. This is partly because excess body fat can cause insulin resistance, a situation where the body makes insulin but the tissues cannot use it properly to help take in blood sugar. With this in mind, it shouldn't come as a surprise that weight loss makes it easier for a person with diabetes to control their blood sugars. The motivation for a person with type 2 diabetes to manage their weight becomes even greater with the knowledge that the risk of death from heart disease and some forms of cancer increases with excess body fat. To find out if you are overweight or obese, you need to know your body mass index (BMI), a measurement that calculates your weight in proportion to your height. Your health care provider can help you determine your BMI, or you can find a BMI calculator on the internet. In Canada, the BMI number refers to your weight in kilograms divided by the square of your height in metres (i.e., kg/m2). You are in the healthy weight range if your BMI is less than 25 kg/m2 and above 18.5 kg/m2. If your BMI is between 25 kg/m2 and 29.9 kg/m2, then you are overweight. If your BMI is above 30 kg/m2 then you are in the obese range. A registered dietitian is the diabetes care team member best qualified to help you determine a plan for losing weight while maintaining a healthy and nutritious diet. A weight management plan should include elements of a healthy diet and increased physical activity. Achieving a healthy weight through an active lifestyle decreases the risk of illness as well as promotes a general feeling of well-being. When it com Continue reading >>
Overview
The importance of both diabetes and these comorbidities will continue to increase as the population ages. Therapies that have proven to reduce microvascular and macrovascular complications will need to be assessed in light of the newly identified comorbidities. Lifestyle change has been proven effective in preventing or delaying the onset of type 2 diabetes in high-risk individuals. Based on this, new public health approaches are emerging that may deserve monitoring at the national level. For example, the Diabetes Prevention Program research trial demonstrated that lifestyle intervention had its greatest impact in older adults and was effective in all racial and ethnic groups. Translational studies of this work have also shown that delivery of the lifestyle intervention in group settings at the community level are also effective at reducing type 2 diabetes risk. The National Diabetes Prevention Program has now been established to implement the lifestyle intervention nationwide. Another emerging issue is the effect on public health of new laboratory based criteria, such as introducing the use of A1c for diagnosis of type 2 diabetes or for recognizing high risk for type 2 diabetes. These changes may impact the number of individuals with undiagnosed diabetes and facilitate the introduction of type 2 diabetes prevention at a public health level. Several studies have suggested that process indicators such as foot exams, eye exams, and measurement of A1c may not be sensitive enough to capture all aspects of quality of care that ultimately result in reduced morbidity. New diabetes quality-of-care indicators are currently under development and may help determine whether appropriate, timely, evidence-based care is linked to risk factor reduction. In addition, the scientific evid Continue reading >>
Role Of Self-care In Management Of Diabetes Mellitus
Abstract Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic progressive metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia mainly due to absolute (Type 1 DM) or relative (Type 2 DM) deficiency of insulin hormone. World Health Organization estimates that more than 346 million people worldwide have DM. This number is likely to more than double by 2030 without any intervention. The needs of diabetic patients are not only limited to adequate glycemic control but also correspond with preventing complications; disability limitation and rehabilitation. There are seven essential self-care behaviors in people with diabetes which predict good outcomes namely healthy eating, being physically active, monitoring of blood sugar, compliant with medications, good problem-solving skills, healthy coping skills and risk-reduction behaviors. All these seven behaviors have been found to be positively correlated with good glycemic control, reduction of complications and improvement in quality of life. Individuals with diabetes have been shown to make a dramatic impact on the progression and development of their disease by participating in their own care. Despite this fact, compliance or adherence to these activities has been found to be low, especially when looking at long-term changes. Though multiple demographic, socio-economic and social support factors can be considered as positive contributors in facilitating self-care activities in diabetic patients, role of clinicians in promoting self-care is vital and has to be emphasized. Realizing the multi-faceted nature of the problem, a systematic, multi-pronged and an integrated approach is required for promoting self-care practices among diabetic patients to avert any long-term complications. Introduction Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic progressive metab Continue reading >>
Researcher Highlights Importance Of Peer Support In Diabetes Management
Researcher highlights importance of peer support in diabetes management Researcher highlights importance of peer support in diabetes management High glucose levels in mothers can affect heart cells in babies 13 December 2017 A UK researcher has addressed the importance of peer support in self-managing diabetes . Emma Cartwright, from the University of Oxford, Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, says peer support is now as important to her as her medication. Cartwright has type 1 diabetes and in an article published in The BMJ reveals how peer support became significant in helping her manage her condition. Cartwright begins by referencing her poor diabetes control in the past, doing minimal blood tests and feeling like a failure when a test result showed she was outside of her target range. When her doctor asked, "What do you need to make things better?", it led to her attending an event where mental health and diabetes were addressed concurrently. "At the meeting I met people who also had type 1 diabetes. As we compared blood test meters and hypo stories, I realised this was the first time I had talked about my diabetes outside of a hospital ," said Cartwright. "We all experienced the same difficulties, including not wanting to accept that our lives would be different from those of everyone around us; the constant judgment from doctors, friends, and strangers on our blood sugar results and what we were eating; and managing injections." Cartwright exited the meeting rejuvenated and started to explore peer support groups. She now feels more engaged and informed about her diabetes, which has enabled her to feel more confident, including during appointments with her doctor. "Peer support allowed me to no longer fear failure but to take it as a learning exp Continue reading >>
Managing Diabetes
You can manage your diabetes and live a long and healthy life by taking care of yourself each day. Diabetes can affect almost every part of your body. Therefore, you will need to manage your blood glucose levels, also called blood sugar. Managing your blood glucose, as well as your blood pressure and cholesterol, can help prevent the health problems that can occur when you have diabetes. How can I manage my diabetes? With the help of your health care team, you can create a diabetes self-care plan to manage your diabetes. Your self-care plan may include these steps: Ways to manage your diabetes Manage your diabetes ABCs Knowing your diabetes ABCs will help you manage your blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol. Stopping smoking if you smoke will also help you manage your diabetes. Working toward your ABC goals can help lower your chances of having a heart attack, stroke, or other diabetes problems. A for the A1C test The A1C test shows your average blood glucose level over the past 3 months. The A1C goal for many people with diabetes is below 7 percent. Ask your health care team what your goal should be. B for Blood pressure The blood pressure goal for most people with diabetes is below 140/90 mm Hg. Ask what your goal should be. C for Cholesterol You have two kinds of cholesterol in your blood: LDL and HDL. LDL or “bad” cholesterol can build up and clog your blood vessels. Too much bad cholesterol can cause a heart attack or stroke. HDL or “good” cholesterol helps remove the “bad” cholesterol from your blood vessels. Ask your health care team what your cholesterol numbers should be. If you are over 40 years of age, you may need to take a statin drug for heart health. S for Stop smoking Not smoking is especially important for people with diabetes beca Continue reading >>
