Diabetic Home Care and Monitoring

Type 2 Diabetes Slideshow Quiz: Are You At Risk for Diabetic Nerve Pain? Diabetes and Foot Problems Slideshow

Medical Author: Ruchi Mathur, MD, FRCP(C)
Medical Editor: William C. Shiel, Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

• What is diabetes?
• What is the treatment for diabetes?
  • Exercise therapy
  • Diet therapy (diabetic diet)
  • Drug therapy
  • Find a local Endocrinologist in your town
• How is diabetic treatment monitored at home?
  • Blood glucose reagent strips
  • Blood glucose meters
  • Urine glucose tests
  • Tests for urinary ketones
• What additional monitoring does the doctor do?
  • Blood glucose
  • Continuous glucose sensors (CGMS)
  • Hemoglobin A1C testing
• Diabetic Home Care and Monitoring At A Glance
• Related diabetic home care articles:
  Diabetes diet – on WebMD

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.