Diabetic Home Care and Monitoring
Medical Author: Ruchi Mathur,
MD, FRCP(C)
Medical Editor: William C. Shiel, Jr., MD, FACP, FACR
What is diabetes?
Diabetes mellitus is a condition in
which the body does not produce enough insulin or the
insulin that is produced is ineffective. Insulin is produced and secreted by the
pancreas and is needed for the proper storage and
utilization of nutrients (glucose, proteins, and fat) by the cells of the body.
Insulin allows nutrients to enter the cells of the body. For example, insulin
allows cells to remove glucose from the blood, and the glucose is used to
generate the energy that is necessary to fuel the activities of the cells. When
insulin is absent or ineffective and the cells receive inadequate amounts of
glucose, the body releases more glucose into the blood in an attempt to overcome
the block to glucose entering the cells. The additional glucose cannot penetrate
the cells, of course, and the glucose levels in the blood rise. High levels of
blood and urine glucose is what causes the symptoms and signs of diabetes. For more, please read the Diabetes article.
What is the
treatment for diabetes?
Diabetes is managed with a combination of
exercise,
diet
and medication. The goal of therapy is to control blood glucose
levels in order to prevent the immediate signs and symptoms
of high blood glucose levels, as well as prevent the long–term complications of diabetes. The appropriate treatment for an individual depends on the type of diabetes and its severity. 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 fail to control the elevated blood sugars,
oral medications are used. If oral medications are still insufficient,
insulin medications are considered.
Next: Exercise therapy »
- metformin, Glucophage - Drug information about metformin (Glucophage, Glucophage XR, Glumetza, Fortamet, Riomet), a drug used for treating type II diabetes in adults and children.
- Hemoglobin A1c Test - Hemoglobin A1c test is used as a standard tool to determine blood sugar control for patients with diabetes
- Dehydration - Read about dehydration (definition: excessive water loss) in children, treatment, symptoms (thirst, dry mouth, dark urine) and causes (vomiting, diarrhea).
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