By Jessica Lane
A number of medical and government organizations offer online diabetes education for patients with the disease and their families. The National Institute of Health administers both the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse and the National Diabetes Education Program, while the American Association of Diabetes Educators provides valuable patient resources through its online presence. Still, much more can be done to ensure that those affected by diabetes have the solid informational resources they need to understand the root causes of this disease and understand the necessary testing procedures and treatments that can help patients protect themselves against its symptoms.
Blood Sugar Monitoring
Depending on the severity of the blood glucose fluctuations, some Type 2 diabetic patients can control their diabetes with diet and exercise while others require insulin injections in order to maintain a healthy blood sugar level throughout the day. Regardless of which method is used to control blood glucose levels, patients should monitor their blood sugar on a regular basis. The most common type of blood glucose meter is the testing strip reader; these devices require that patients draw a drop of blood and place it on a specially treated strip, which is then chemically analyzed in the meter to provide an accurate reading of the current levels of sugar in the bloodstream. Newer monitoring systems can provide continuous readings, but they typically require that a sensor be worn at all times. This can prove impractical for some patients, but it provides the highest degree of protection against blood sugar spikes or unexpected hypoglycemic incidents.
Insulin Therapy
Type 1 and some Type 2 diabetic patients who require insulin injections to control their diabetes have a number of options available to deliver the insulin into their bloodstreams. While syringes continue to be the most popular method, newer insulin injection devices can provide added convenience for diabetes patients and, in some cases, may allow more accurate, faster delivery of the needed insulin. Insulin pens offer disposable convenience. Some models are designed to use small pre-filled cartridges that can be tossed after use, while other pen-style insulin injection devices are fully disposable after one or more uses.
For diabetes cases that require more constant treatment, insulin pumps deliver a metered dose of the hormone, providing more insulin after meals and a maintenance dose at all other times. Each patient is different and will require an insulin regimen tailored to their specific physical condition. Long-acting insulin offers protection against blood sugar fluctuations for a longer period of time, while short-acting insulin can provide rapid relief from major swings in blood sugar levels.
Patients, caregivers and family members need a thorough understanding of diabetes treatments and symptoms in order to ensure the health and well-being of those affected by the disease. By informing themselves about the current treatments and warning signs associated with diabetes, patients and their families can act as partners with health care professionals in controlling the progress and symptoms of diabetes in their own lives.
A number of medical and government organizations offer online diabetes education for patients with the disease and their families. The National Institute of Health administers both the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse and the National Diabetes Education Program, while the American Association of Diabetes Educators provides valuable patient resources through its online presence. Still, much more can be done to ensure that those affected by diabetes have the solid informational resources they need to understand the root causes of this disease and understand the necessary testing procedures and treatments that can help patients protect themselves against its symptoms.
Blood Sugar Monitoring
Depending on the severity of the blood glucose fluctuations, some Type 2 diabetic patients can control their diabetes with diet and exercise while others require insulin injections in order to maintain a healthy blood sugar level throughout the day. Regardless of which method is used to control blood glucose levels, patients should monitor their blood sugar on a regular basis. The most common type of blood glucose meter is the testing strip reader; these devices require that patients draw a drop of blood and place it on a specially treated strip, which is then chemically analyzed in the meter to provide an accurate reading of the current levels of sugar in the bloodstream. Newer monitoring systems can provide continuous readings, but they typically require that a sensor be worn at all times. This can prove impractical for some patients, but it provides the highest degree of protection against blood sugar spikes or unexpected hypoglycemic incidents.
Insulin Therapy
Type 1 and some Type 2 diabetic patients who require insulin injections to control their diabetes have a number of options available to deliver the insulin into their bloodstreams. While syringes continue to be the most popular method, newer insulin injection devices can provide added convenience for diabetes patients and, in some cases, may allow more accurate, faster delivery of the needed insulin. Insulin pens offer disposable convenience. Some models are designed to use small pre-filled cartridges that can be tossed after use, while other pen-style insulin injection devices are fully disposable after one or more uses.
For diabetes cases that require more constant treatment, insulin pumps deliver a metered dose of the hormone, providing more insulin after meals and a maintenance dose at all other times. Each patient is different and will require an insulin regimen tailored to their specific physical condition. Long-acting insulin offers protection against blood sugar fluctuations for a longer period of time, while short-acting insulin can provide rapid relief from major swings in blood sugar levels.
Patients, caregivers and family members need a thorough understanding of diabetes treatments and symptoms in order to ensure the health and well-being of those affected by the disease. By informing themselves about the current treatments and warning signs associated with diabetes, patients and their families can act as partners with health care professionals in controlling the progress and symptoms of diabetes in their own lives.
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