Diabetic Home Care and Monitoring At A Glance

Diabetic Home Care and Monitoring At A Glance

• Diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition associated with abnormally high levels of their sugar glucose in the blood.

• The two types of diabetes are type 1 (insulin dependent) and type 2 (non-insulin dependent) diabetes.

• Diabetes treatment depends on the type and severity of the diabetes.

• Type 1 diabetes mellitus is treated with insulin, exercise, and a diabetic diet.

• Type 2 diabetes mellitus is first treated with weight reduction, a diabetic diet, and exercise. When these measures do not control the elevated blood sugar, oral medications are used and, if need be, insulin.

• The main goal of diabetic therapy is to control blood glucose levels and to prevent the complications of diabetes.

• Glucose levels should be lowered into the normal range, if possible, but not to abnormally low levels. It is very important to monitor the effects of treatment on blood glucose levels to avoid overtreatment or undertreatment.

• There are two types of tests for blood glucose monitoring in the home. The first type uses a reagent strip, and the second type uses a reagent strip and a glucose meter. Use of the glucose meter has become more common.

• Glucose also can be measured in the urine. However, the role of home testing of the urine for glucose has faded in recent years.

• Ketoacidosis is a complication of the inadequate treatment of diabetes. This dangerous condition can be identified by testing the urine for ketones.

• People with diabetes should discuss monitoring in detail with their physicians and have clearly defined goals for blood sugar control.

• The choices for blood glucose meters should be discussed and the best meter chosen, taking into account visual impairment, tremors, and other factors which may influence usability.

• People with diabetes should visit their physician every 3 months to monitor their hemoglobin A1C levels.

• Good diabetes home care and monitoring together with a few physician visits make diabetes much more manageable.

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Dr Marwah