DIABETIC EDUCATION
This document includes the following information:
Important Diabetes Facts
- Diabetes is the 6th leading cause of death in the U.S.
- 18.2 million Americans have diabetes.
- 5.2 million Americans are living with undiagnosed diabetes.
- 1.3 million new diabetes cases each year.
Major Types of Diabetes
- Type 1 Diabetes
- Occurs due to the body’s inability to make insulin, which
brings energy into the cells. Insulin shots are required!
- Type 2 Diabetes
- Occurs due to the body becoming resistant to its own insulin.
The body makes insulin but cannot use it.
- Gestational Diabetes
- Occurs in many women while they are pregnant. This condition
may subside after the baby’s birth but does put the mother
at a higher risk for diabetes in the future.
- Pre-diabetes
- A condition in which a person may have slightly elevated blood
sugar levels but not high enough to be diagnosed with diabetes
YET!
Risk Factors For Type 2 Diabetes
- Age > 45
- Overweight (BMI > 25kg/m2)
- Family History (parents or siblings)
- Habitual physical inactivity
- High Blood Pressure > 140/90
- Low HDL ("good") cholesterol < 35mg/dl
- High Triglycerides > 250mg/dl
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
- History of vascular disease
- History of gestational diabetes
- Having a baby > 9 pounds
Long Term Complications
- Eyes: Eye disease that leads to blindness
- Heart: Coronary artery disease, heart disease,
risk of heart attack is similar to patients with diagnosed heart
disease
- Brain: Stroke risk is two-four times greater
in patients with diabetes than people with out diabetes
- Kidneys: Leading cause of End-stage Renal
Disease (kidney’s stop working), may lead to dialysis or
kidney replacement
- Nerves: Neuropathy (loss of sensation) in
extremities, numbness and tingling in hands and feet, risk of
leg amputation, erectile dysfunction
- Dental: Increased risk for tooth and gum diseases
Symptoms of Diabetes
- Frequent urination
- Excessive thirst
- Extreme hunger
- Unusual weight loss
- Increased fatigue
- Irritability
- Dry skin
- Blurred vision
Signs of Low Blood Sugar (hypoglycemia)
- Mild: Sweating, Hunger and Irritability
- Moderate: Headache, Drowsiness, Confusion and Weakness
- Severe: Unresponsiveness, Unconsciousness, Convulsions
Treatment of Low Blood Sugar
- Eat a form of sugar (fruit, fruit juice, 1 slice of bread,
milk, or glucose tablets)
- Check your blood sugar and record
- Eat a healthy meal
How Diabetes Is Managed
In some cases Lifestyle Modifications are all that is needed to
control diabetes. Some of these changes, which have been proven
to help lower blood glucose levels, include:
- Losing excess weight
- Quitting smoking
- Getting regular exercise (always consult your physician before
starting any new exercise regimen)
- Decrease the amount of alcohol you drink
- Modify your diet to include healthy choices such as fruits,
vegetables, lean meats and whole grains.
Sometimes, Medications are needed in addition to these lifestyle
modifications to adequately control diabetes. There are many types
of medications that can be used based on the type of diabetes you
are diagnosed with. In such cases, it is extremely important to
take your medication exactly as prescribed. With lifestyle modifications
and medication intervention, it is very important you check your
blood sugar (blood glucose) levels at least three times daily.
This helps you and your physician know how well your diabetes is
being managed. Your pharmacist can help you design a regimen on
how to best take your medications.
What do my numbers mean?
American Diabetes Association (ADA) Guidelines for blood sugar
(glucose) control
| Parameters |
Normal |
Goal |
| Before Meals |
< 110 |
90-130 |
| After Meals |
< 120 |
< 180 |
| A1c |
< 6 |
< 7 |
*A1c measures blood sugar control of the 2-3 previous months
Other lab values to monitor:
- Blood Pressure: < 130/80
- LDL (bad cholesterol): < 100mg/dl
- HDL (good cholesterol): > 40mg/dl
- Triglycerides: < 150mg/dl
My Pharmacist Helps Me!
At Iverson Corner Drug, we are dedicated to helping you control
your diabetes by:
- Measuring your A1c and Blood Glucose levels with a simple finger
prick and providing an interpretation of the results.
- Reviewing the effectiveness, safety, and convenience of your
medications and making appropriate recommendations to your doctor.
- Providing you with important information and educational materials
about diabetes and its treatment.
- Generating computerized reports documenting trends in your
A1c and Blood Glucose readings.
Tests we offer:
- A1cTest ($20.00)
- Blood Glucose Test ($5.00)
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