What is Diabetes Mellitus?
What is hyperglycemia?
Hyperglycemia is a condition where the blood glucose levels are above average. Anything above (9 mmol/L). Lewis (2023).
Why is it important to take your scheduled insulin?
Taking insulin as scheduled ensures that blood glucose levels stay within normal range. Even when you have not eaten, its important to take your dose of long acting insulin. Lewis (2023).
What are the Clinical Manifestations of Hypoglycemia?
- Blood glucose is lower than < 4.0 mmol/L.
- Cold and clammy skin.
- Headache and dizziness.
- Tachycardia
- Hunger
Lewis (2023).
What is neuropathy?
Neuropathy is the damage of nerves. Chronic high elevated glucose levels can cause damage to the nerves.
Neuropathy usually starts at the fingers and toes, which accounts for the numbness and tingling feeling of the extremities. Lewis (2023).
What type of food counts as a healthy diet?
Fruits and vegetables, foods low in saturated fat and low sodium.
Foods to consider:
Nonstarchy vegetables: leafy greens etc.
Carb and high in fibre: rice, brown rice, whole grains etc.
NDDIK (2O23).
What is hypoglycemia?
Hypoglycemia is a condition where the blood glucose levels are below average. Anything lower (4 mmol/L). Lewis (2023).
Importance of monitoring blood glucose levels.
To check if the blood glucose levels are within normal range 5-9 mmol/L. High elevated bgm levels, with ketones can indicate a DKA. Maintaining bgm levels at a normal range can prevent further damage to the body. Lewis (2023).
What are the Clinical manifestations of Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)?
- Tachycardia.
- Ortho-static hypotension.
- N/V Nausea and Vomiting.
- Fruity smelling breath.
Lewis (2023).
What are 2 things to help manage neuropathy?
Neuropathy makes it hard for diabetic pt to have feeling in their legs. This makes it easier for ulcers
Assessing feet daily: Assess for any abnormalities such as lesions, cuts and ulcers. Since diabetes makes it more difficult for wounds to heal. Lewis (2023).
Eating healthy and staying hydrated: makes sure your body is getting the proper nutrients and amount of fluid everyday to help maintain nerve function and keep BGM at a normal range. Lewis (2023).
How many mins of physical activity is recommended a week?
It is recommended to have at least 150 mins of moderate exercise a week. NIDDK (2023).
Name 2 modifiable factors that put a person at risk for diabetes.
Possible answers:
A Sedentary lifestyle puts a person more at risk for getting diabetes, that is why exercising at least 30-60 mins a day is important. Lewis (2023).
An unhealthy diet full of saturated fats, high in sugar and sodium can increase a person's chance of getting diabetes. Lewis (2023).
Why is it important to check your blood pressure?
It is important to monitor blood pressure because High blood pressure and diabetes can cause damage to blood vessel walls. This can make it more difficult for blood to travel throughout the body and this can increase a person's chance of stroke and heart attack. Mayo Clinic (2022), Lewis (2023).
What are ketones?
Ketones are the chemical products that are produced by the body, specifically the liver when fats are broken down. This occurs when there is no longer any insulin that the body can use to help break down sugar for fuel. Ketones can indicate a DKA. Lewis (2023).
Why is it important to assess a pt with diabetes feet everyday?
Neuropathy from diabetes makes it harder for wounds to heal and makes it harder to feel any abnormalities, that is why it is so important to assess the feet everyday to make sure to note any abnormalities (lesions, cuts, ulcers etc). Lewis (2023).
2 Other interventions to help manage diabetes or lower the risk of getting diabetes.
Quit Smoking: Quitting smoking decreases your chances of getting diabetes, heart disease and stroke. NDDIK (2023).
Maintaining a healthy weight: Puts less pressure on the body and makes it easier for blood and other fluids to move around the body. Lewis (2023).
What is the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes?
Type 1 Diabetes is more common in people younger than 30 years and caused by an autoimmune disease, where the body attacks insulin producing Beta cells.This causes the lack of insulin in the body. Lewis (2023).
Type 2 Diabetes is the most common type of Diabetes and is more prevalent in people over the age of 25. Type 2 Diabetes is chronic and it is when the body is not able to use/respond to the insulin properly. Lewis (2023).
Why should I check my ketones?
Elevated levels of ketones accompanied with the feeling of unwellness can indicate early DKA.
Ketones can be tested through blood and urine. If ketones are present, drink a lot of fluids and take a rapid-acting insulin (if prescribed). If feeling of unwellness continues, go see a healthcare provider.
Lewis (2023), Nova Scotia Health Authority (2022).
What is Diabetes Ketoacidosis?
DKA is a life threatening complication that requires hospitalization. DKA occurs when the body no longer has insulin and the body needs fuel. Lewis (2023).
What is Macrovascular Disease?
Macrovascular Disease is the damage of large-medium size blood vessels, which is caused by plaque build up. Lewis (2023).
Why is it important to get vaccines/ immunized, even with diabetes?
Diabetes greatly increases your chances of getting an infection, that is why keeping your immunizations is important. NDDIK (2023).
Name 2 non-modifiable factors that put a person at risk for diabetes?
Family hx/genetics: Diabetes can be inherited genetically, so if one has had a family member who has diabetes, they might also have a chance of getting it in their lifetime. Lewis (2023).
Ethnicity: People of Indigenous, African, South Asian and Latin American descent are more at risk for developing Diabetes. Lewis (2023).
Why is it important to know the signs and symptoms of DKA?
DKA can be potentially life threatening, that is why it is important to recognize the signs of DKA. The faster you recognize the signs, the faster you can be treated. Nova Scotia Health Authority (2022).
What are 2 ways to manage acute diabetes complications?
Insulin Therapy: Taking insulin as directed/ scheduled can ensure that blood glucose levels stay at normal ranges. Lewis (2023).
Constance Monitoring of Blood Glucose Levels: Ensures that blood glucose levels are staying within normal range to prevent DKA. Lewis (2023).
What are 2 things to help manage Macrovascular Disease?
Eating a healthy diet, a diet that consists of food low in sodium and fat. This can slow down/ prevent plaque build up in the blood vessels. NNDIK (2023).
Physical exercise, at least 150 mins a week can greatly reduce plaque build up and helps maintains normal BG levels. NNDIK (2023).
What foot care interventions should be provided for a diabetic?
- Daily assessing the feet and skin integ, especially in between the toes.
- Wash feet daily with warm water and make sure to pat dry.
- Assess for sores, especially ones that are not healing.
- Wearing proper footwear, avoiding open toe, open-heel and high heel shoes.
-Apply lanolin to feet, to avoid cracking and drying.
Lewis (2023).