Top Diabetes Medication Mistakes Patients Make: Pitfalls To Watch For Better Health and Recovery
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Diabetes is a disease that affects at least 10.5% of the adult population aged between 20 and 79 years, according to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) report.
Loss of vision, damaged nerves, and body part amputations all describe the complications of diabetes, one of the most chronic diseases that affects many people.
Diabetes causes its patients to spend considerable resources trying to manage it. Yet, even with the advancement of technology, challenges still exist in handling this disease.
Understanding what diabetes is, its causes and its management can help diabetic patients avoid the costly mistakes they make when managing this disease.
What is Diabetes?
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To clearly understand what diabetes is, you first need to have a grasp of what happens to sugar whenever you take it.
When you consume sugar, the body has a special mechanism to break it down to extract energy from it to support its metabolic activities.
Remember, the cells of the body utilize a special energy molecule, glucose, to run the metabolic tasks, ensuring the continuity of life.
So, the body breaks down the sugar into glucose, raising the blood glucose levels. This rise is not permanent, as it is regulated by an internal body mechanism (homeostasis).
A special hormone (insulin) from the pancreas removes excess glucose by converting it into its storage form (glycogen).
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Diabetes results when sugar levels in the form of glucose are too high in the bloodstream.
If left untreated, diabetes can result in life-threatening conditions, including:
1. Neuropathy - a serious nerve damage causing numbness in one or more body parts.
2. Retinopathy - blindness caused by damage to the light-sensitive tissues at the back of the eyes.
3. Nephropathy - damage to the kidneys, altering their filtration function.
4. Ketoacidosis - a buildup of ketones in the body that is often medically dangerous.
5. Hypoglycemia - a condition where glucose levels in the blood are lower than normal.
6. Ulcers - a digestive system condition where the stomach lining is corroded by acids produced in the stomach.
7. Gangrene is the biological death of body tissue due to restricted blood flow.
8. Stroke.
9. Neuropathic pain: a shooting or burning pain caused by nerve damage.
10. Gastroparesis.
11. Infections.
12. Hypertension.
13. Amputation.
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Types of Diabetes
Diabetes can be classified into two forms: type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
What is the difference? Well, the key difference is centered around the hormone insulin.
As stated earlier, this hormone is responsible for clearing out glucose from the bloodstream.
Its absence or malfunction often results in one of the two types of sugar disease.
Type 1 Diabetes
Also known as Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM), type 1 diabetes results from an autoimmune disorder.
Autoimmunity is when the body attacks itself using its immune defense cells.
In this condition, the body's immune cells initiate an attack against the body itself. Due to this, insulin production is stopped or tampered with.
A surge in blood sugar levels is common in patients with type 1 diabetes, and normally they survive on insulin administration.
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Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is insulin-independent, meaning a patient does not need to take insulin to manage the condition.
However, the body’s poor utilization of insulin leads to the development of type 2 diabetes. It is a condition that develops over time before finally becoming chronic.
The cells in the body may refuse to respond to insulin, or the pancreatic cells may not be producing enough insulin, leading to this type of diabetes.
As a result, there is persistent hyperglycemia (high sugar levels in the blood).
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Common Mistakes Diabetic Patients Make
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Diabetes patients need to closely monitor their condition for better health outcomes.
When managing diabetes disease, some patients make serious mistakes that derail their recovery.
In addition, these mistakes can be costly, leading to life-threatening complications for the patients.
Being aware of these mistakes can help avoid committing them and promote a better recovery.
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What are the mistakes?
Insulin storage: some patients commit the ‘heinous crime’ of storing insulin in undesired conditions. Insulin does not need a too-warm or too-cold environment. But as a general rule of thumb, it should be stored in a cool place.
Skipping doses: diabetes requires strict medication adherence. Skipping doses may disrupt blood sugar control, leading to complications.
Overlooking lifestyle changes: it is important to note that the management of diabetes requires changes in lifestyle, especially the adjustment of diet and regular exercise.
Ignoring regular checkups: scheduling an appointment with a physician regularly is a great step toward the management of diabetes. Many patients ignore this important yet required step in their recovery journey.
Diabetes Management
Diabetes management involves ensuring that your sugar levels as a patient remain in check.
Although this seems like a relatively hard task, the beautiful news is that it is very possible.
But first, understanding what affects body sugar levels is perhaps of prime importance. They include:
Food intake: the type of food consumed and the amount influence how much sugar will be present in the blood. For example, taking carbohydrates steadily raises blood sugar levels.
Medical treatment: it is worth noting that some medications may influence the sugar level in the blood. Diabetic patients should be aware of how various medications influence their blood sugar levels.
Diabetes Treatment
Diabetes treatment involves a combination of medical therapy and a lifestyle change.
Depending on the type of diabetes that you have, controlling your blood sugar levels will also depend on other factors.
They include:
2. Cost of purchasing diabetes drugs.
3. Insurance coverage.
4. Access to quality healthcare.
Treating Type 1 Diabetes
In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas does not make sufficient insulin. This condition is, therefore, managed by regularly taking insulin.
Administering insulin can be done in various ways, including using a syringe, an insulin pump, or an insulin pen.
Treating Type 2 Diabetes
There are not many official medications for managing type 2 diabetes. However, a lifestyle change is highly recommended to manage the disease.
Making lifestyle changes includes:
2. Engaging in physical activities.
3. Monitoring your calorie intake.
4. Regularly checking up with doctors to assess progress.
What About Gestational Diabetes? Should it be a concern?
Gestational diabetes
Pregnant women are most likely to develop gestational diabetes, which goes away somehow after delivery.
Gestational diabetes can be fatal if not properly managed, as it can increase your blood pressure.
Managing blood glucose levels during gestation involves several steps, including:
2. Moderate-intensity exercises.
3. Taking healthy food.
4. Ensuring enough rest.
5. Taking insulin - this is safe, even during pregnancy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Diabetes
Diabetes often raises many questions in the minds of those who have the condition or even those who want to know more about it.
Here are 16 FAQs about diabetes.
1. What is diabetes?
A: Diabetes is a chronic medical condition that affects the body’s ability to process glucose (sugar), leading to high blood sugar levels.
2. What are the types of diabetes?
A: Type 1, Type 2, and gestational diabetes.
3. What is Type 1 diabetes?
A: Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.
4. What is Type 2 diabetes?
A: Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder where insulin is improperly produced or resisted by cells of the body.
5. What is gestational diabetes?
A: Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy. It resolves after childbirth.
6. What causes diabetes?
A: The causes of diabetes can vary depending on the type, but genetics, lifestyle factors, and obesity are common risk factors.
7. How is diabetes diagnosed?
A: Diabetes is typically diagnosed through blood tests. This is achieved by measuring fasting blood sugar levels.
8. What are the symptoms of diabetes?
A: There are various symptoms of diabetes. But the common symptoms include increased thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, and blurred vision.
9. Can diabetes be prevented?
A: YES! However, not for all types. Type 1 diabetes is difficult to prevent. However, type 2 diabetes can be resolved through lifestyle changes.
10. What is insulin, and why is it important in diabetes?
A: Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels. Lack or malfunction of insulin results in diabetes, making it an important hormone in diabetes.
11. How is diabetes treated?
A: Diabetes treatment may involve medication, insulin therapy, dietary changes, and physical activity.
12. What is hypoglycemia?
A: Hypoglycemia is a medical term describing low blood sugar in the body.
13. What is hyperglycemia?
A: Hyperglycemia is the opposite of hypoglycemia. It means high blood sugar.
14. Can diabetes lead to complications?
A: Yes, diabetes can lead to various complications, including heart disease, kidney problems, neuropathy, and vision issues.
15. Is there a cure for diabetes?
NO! There is no cure for diabetes, but it can be managed effectively with proper treatment and lifestyle changes.
16. Can you eat sweets with diabetes?
A: Yes. However, it is advisable to monitor carbohydrate intake and blood sugar levels.
Do you have diabetes or know anyone with the condition, No need to worry. By checking out some of these tips and following advice from your medical doctor, you can perfectly take care of the condition.
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