Diabetes is a metabolic disorder caused by deficiencies in insulin hormone or inability of the body to utilize it. Its hallmark feature is abnormally high levels of blood glucose levels that may lead to immediate or long term complications. Being a chronic condition, patients have to be on medication or have to modify their lives as soon as the diagnosis has been made. In these article, we look at the main issues that should be addressed in diabetes counseling.
Counseling of patients with diabetes is an opportunity to educate them. They should be helped to learn as much as possible about their condition and the strategies which they can adopt to make their lives better. The process needs to be done regularly bearing in mind that this condition is lifelong and progress over time. Patients that are regularly counseled have been observed to be more adherent to prescribed treatments.
Just as is the case with other chronic illnesses, the diagnosis of diabetes is associated with significant psychological stress. It is not easy to accept that one has to make significant lifestyle adjustments in a bid to live with the condition. Some patients may end up with mental disorders such as anxiety or depression. It is important, therefore, that all the newly diagnosed access the services of a mental health expert.
The need for a proper should be emphasized among both type 1 and type 2 diabetics. A healthy diet will help maintain the sugar levels within normal ranges. Generally, patients should be advised to limit their intake of sugary snacks and sweetened drinks. These foods have been shown to cause sharp spikes in the levels of blood glucose among persons with diabetes. The diet should have lean protein, whole grains, vegetables and fruits.
Excessive weight among diabetics is a risk factor for insulin resistance. Losing weight, in contrast, helps reduce blood sugar levels. Patients should be advised to keep their daily caloric intake at less than 800 per day. It is important to point out that this strategy is only effective in the short term and other measures have to be undertaken for long term weight control.
Regular physical exercise has numerous benefits. One of the direct benefits is weight loss which is desired change among diabetics. The other benefit is that increased muscular contraction experienced during physical activity increases the tissue uptake of glucose and this reduces the blood levels. Physical exercise that is deemed to be beneficial is that which includes intense sessions of not less than 30 minutes for at least 5 days in a week.
Alcohol has a major impact on the levels of blood glucose. Since carbohydrates are a major constituent of alcoholic beverages, their metabolism causes an increase in glucose levels. The situation is likely to be a bit complicated if one is on insulin or oral glucose lowering agents. This is because alcohol and the drugs are all metabolized by the liver. The alcohol overwhelms the liver in some cases making it difficult to break down the drugs. Such drinks should be avoided completely if possible.
Patients need to understand that follow up clinics are an important part of treatment. The clinics give the doctor an opportunity to identify any complications early and to intervene before complications set in. Comprehensive medical checkups should be done at least once every year.
Counseling of patients with diabetes is an opportunity to educate them. They should be helped to learn as much as possible about their condition and the strategies which they can adopt to make their lives better. The process needs to be done regularly bearing in mind that this condition is lifelong and progress over time. Patients that are regularly counseled have been observed to be more adherent to prescribed treatments.
Just as is the case with other chronic illnesses, the diagnosis of diabetes is associated with significant psychological stress. It is not easy to accept that one has to make significant lifestyle adjustments in a bid to live with the condition. Some patients may end up with mental disorders such as anxiety or depression. It is important, therefore, that all the newly diagnosed access the services of a mental health expert.
The need for a proper should be emphasized among both type 1 and type 2 diabetics. A healthy diet will help maintain the sugar levels within normal ranges. Generally, patients should be advised to limit their intake of sugary snacks and sweetened drinks. These foods have been shown to cause sharp spikes in the levels of blood glucose among persons with diabetes. The diet should have lean protein, whole grains, vegetables and fruits.
Excessive weight among diabetics is a risk factor for insulin resistance. Losing weight, in contrast, helps reduce blood sugar levels. Patients should be advised to keep their daily caloric intake at less than 800 per day. It is important to point out that this strategy is only effective in the short term and other measures have to be undertaken for long term weight control.
Regular physical exercise has numerous benefits. One of the direct benefits is weight loss which is desired change among diabetics. The other benefit is that increased muscular contraction experienced during physical activity increases the tissue uptake of glucose and this reduces the blood levels. Physical exercise that is deemed to be beneficial is that which includes intense sessions of not less than 30 minutes for at least 5 days in a week.
Alcohol has a major impact on the levels of blood glucose. Since carbohydrates are a major constituent of alcoholic beverages, their metabolism causes an increase in glucose levels. The situation is likely to be a bit complicated if one is on insulin or oral glucose lowering agents. This is because alcohol and the drugs are all metabolized by the liver. The alcohol overwhelms the liver in some cases making it difficult to break down the drugs. Such drinks should be avoided completely if possible.
Patients need to understand that follow up clinics are an important part of treatment. The clinics give the doctor an opportunity to identify any complications early and to intervene before complications set in. Comprehensive medical checkups should be done at least once every year.
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