Factors that Affect Diabetes Management
Posted by Healthfitline
On
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Diabetes is a disease that requires closer monitoring and individual knowledge on how to manage the condition. For diabetes to be successfully controlled, there is need for a stable system of care that can provide early treatment, intervention and proper education to the affected individuals in order to prevent future complications. Patient education is a key component of diabetes management if the battle against diabetes is expected to be won.
Diabetes remains one of the most challenging diseases to manage. One reason been that, most patients are not able to achieve the desired glycemic control and continue to suffer from other conditions that are associated with diabetes or even serious diabetes complications. However, patients with good self-care behaviour and right knowledge when it comes to self-management of diabetes are more likely to maintain a desirable glycemic control.
Diabetes management is geared towards three main components; diet, exercise and medication. We take a closer look at some of the components of diabetes management and how they can negatively hider an individual from attaining and maintaining a desired glycemic level if there are not implemented properly;
Poor Dieting Plan
One important ways of controlling diabetes is to make sure that an individual receive the required amount of calories intake. This help in maintaining the desired body weight, a health glucose level, a good blood pressure and to normalize the lipids levels in the blood preventing heart diseases.
The amount of food that we consume is directly responsible for the glucose levels in our blood. Food rich in refined carbohydrates are metabolized faster than complex carbohydrates raising the glucose level abruptly. Diabetes patients are usually advised to consume food rich in complex carbohydrates since this kind of food tend to raise glucose level slowly and are more likely to keep it at a desired level for a longer time.
In addition to this, eating meal at equal intervals (appropriate intervals between meals) with addition of a snack when needed, help in maintaining an overall blood glucose level under control and prevent hypoglycemia. For obese individuals, weight loss together with proper dieting plan is the key to treatment.
Lack of Exercises
Exercising is another important component of diabetes management since when a diabetic patient is exercising, glucose uptake is increased by muscles lowering the overall glucose in the blood and lowering the cardiovascular risks. Exercises also play a significant role in helping the body to utilize the insulin properly.
However, exercises should not be performed by patients whose urine contain ketones and are experiencing an increased blood sugar level exceeding 250mg/dl or 14mmol/L. Such diabetic patients should wait until when their urine test results is negative for ketones and blood sugar is almost back to normal level.
The reason behind is that, when a diabetic patient exercises with an increased blood sugar levels, the body releases glucogen and growth hormones leading to the liver producing more glucose and eventually increasing the blood sugar. Most diabetic patients are advised to have a regular schedule or time when they can do exercise, preferably when the glucose levels are at the highest. Having a regular exercise schedule help in maintaining a constant level of blood sugar than when the exercises are done sporadically.
Inadequate Knowledge about Medication and How to Use Insulin
Diabetic is a self-managed disease and patients should have adequate knowledge on how to handle medication and insulin. Diabetes medications are directly responsible for increasing or lowering the blood sugar levels. They must be taken as prescribed within the given time interval.
Patient must be taught and understand the importance of adherence. If a patient is taking other medications like corticosteroids which are known to increase the blood sugar in some patients, he or she need to inform the doctor, so that the doctor can adjust the medication or insulin, accordingly. Patients should also be taught the right way to measure and inject insulin.
Illness and Stress
When we are experiencing stress, there is increased release of cortisol hormones to combat stress that is responsible for increasing blood sugar levels. Though, it is almost impossible to avoid daily stressors but having a more active life can reduce your stress level since you will have less time to think about those stressors.
Other Personal Issues or Problems
Effective management of diabetes can only be achieved if we can try to understand the reason why a diabetic patient may not be following the prescribed regimen. There are many factors that would be contributing to poor adherence such as; psychological issues, social issues and lack of motivation towards taking good care of self.
The other reasons may have something to do with financial problems, family conflict, psychological and other factors that may have negative effect on the patient. Patient whose blood glucose level is constantly high should be screened for some of these problems and a different approach should be considered.
When handling patients experiencing these kinds of problems, a patient-centered approach should be more appropriate. Health care personnel should only teach the patient when he/she is ready to listen and deem fit to absorb what is been taught.
Diabetes education can be more effective when the health care personnel is able to respect the patient’s culture, choices and give him the autonomy to air his concerns. This will eventually lead to an effective diabetes self-management behaviour and lifestyle modification on the part of the patient.
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