Question

Discuss one form of management of diabetes.

-How the management improves glycemic control. The benefits and drawbacks

-What are the challenges with this type of management?

-What recommendations would you make to the patient?

Group 1: Physical Activity

Group 2: Medication/Insulin

Group 3: Nutrition Therapy

Answer 1

Group 2: Medication/insulin

1) Glycemic control: Medications and insulin regulates the blood glucose levels by decreasing the blood glucose levels. Taking these medications regularly as prescribed helps the patient maintain glycemic control. The benefits include glycemic control and prevention of hyper/hypoglycemia and complications of diabetes. However drawbacks include need for taking medications regularly, specific precautions (eg.need to take diet within 30 minutes of taking insulin) and side effects.

2) Challenges: Educating patients about medication or insulin, site for injection, corect technique, dosing of insulin, rotation of sites, storing medication etc. The patient needs to understand all these in order to follow it effectively

3) Recommendations for patients: Get to know about the disease and its management. Talk to nurse and discuss concerns. Take medications regularly. Do not skip doses or take double dose. Do not adjust medications by self. Have regular checkup.