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Medical Support for Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease characterized by excessive glucose levels in the blood, usually caused by problems in the way the body produces and uses insulin, a hormone that helps cells that need energy to absorb glucose. Often a health care team made up of different medical professionals can work together to help a patient with diabetes cope with and control the disease through medication and lifestyle changes.

  1. About Diabetes

    • There are two types of diabetes. Type 1, which is usually diagnosed in childhood, is a result of the body's inability to produce insulin. Type 2 diabetes is much more common and is usually diagnosed in adulthood. This type of diabetes is caused when the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin, so glucose levels build up in the bloodstream. Often lifestyle changes such as healthier eating and exercise can help prevent Type 2 diabetes.

    Risk Factors

    • Medical professionals must be aware of the risk factors for diabetes and screen patients accordingly. African Americans, Mexican Americans and Pima Indians are at a higher risk for developing diabetes than other ethnic groups. Obesity is another risk factor for diabetes, and obese young people or people who have been obese for a long time are at the highest risk. Genetics can also be related to the risk of diabetes, so medical professionals should take a thorough family history to determine if diabetes is a concern.

    Symptoms

    • Many diabetes symptoms seem harmless, and so diabetes often goes undiagnosed. Medical professionals should screen people at high risk for diabetes for symptoms of the disease. Some symptoms of diabetes include frequent urination, increased hunger and thirst, unusual weight loss and extreme fatigue or irritability. Diabetes can also interfere with the body's healing process, leading to frequent infections and slow healing of cuts and bruises.

    A Medical Team

    • For a chronic illness like diabetes, several medical professionals often work together with a patient to find the best way to manage the disease. Often a primary care provider is the first to diagnose diabetes and that physician may call in specialists such as endocrinologists if she does not have much experience caring for diabetes or if the patient has complications from the diabetes. Nurse educators are registered nurses with special training in diabetes. A nurse educator will help a patient to learn about the disease and how to cope with it. A registered dietitian is a medical professional trained in nutrition. A dietitian may help a patient with diabetes learn to eat healthier and make lifestyle changes to manage the disease. Mental health professionals such as social workers or therapists can also be a part of the health care team, helping a patient to manage stress and come to terms with his illness.

    Treatment

    • Usually diabetes is treated with insulin injections. There are many different types of insulin available for treatment, and a physician must find the type that works best for a particular patient. Often patients must monitor their own blood glucose levels and inject themselves regularly with insulin, and a medical professional must be able to educate a patient about self-care. Medical professionals can also educate about and encourage lifestyle changes that can help control diabetes.

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