Thursday, February 02, 2023

Taking Care of a Diabetic Patient

Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/bRjpGjwmae8

Sugary foods and starchy meals have taken a central place in modern cuisine. Our diet liberally includes sweetened processed food like carbonated drinks, which are prepared with high fructose corn syrup with a high glycemic index. This diet is causing incidences of Diabetes Mellitus to increase.

Diabetes is a complex metabolic disease in which the body cannot effectively manage glucose levels. It is caused by the dysregulation of a hormone called insulin that moves glucose into cells, reducing its concentration in the blood. It can be of two types: in type 1 diabetes, insufficient insulin is produced, whereas, in type 2 diabetes, the body’s cells no longer effectively respond to insulin. 

Diabetes is a common disorder that can cause multiple complications and even lead to death. If you have a diabetic patient at your home, you must know how to take care of them. Here are some essentials to know:

1. Hire a Nurse

Patients with advanced diabetes require medical attention 24/7. A decreased blood sugar level can cause severe fatigue, and an increased blood sugar level can cause a stroke. Diabetes also increases your risk of complications like cardiovascular disorders that can lead to a heart attack. Due to these dangers, having medical care all day will benefit the patient, particularly an elderly one. Many patients also need daily insulin shots, and medical professionals are better qualified to administer them.  

You can hire a Family Nurse Practitioner to care for diabetic patients. Check their credentials: they must have a bachelor’s in nursing (BSN) and completed either an on-campus or an online FNP program.

2. Administering the Right Diet

A healthy diet is vital for a diabetes patient to maintain their blood sugar levels. Diabetic individuals must not eat high glycemic foods like table sugar or starchy foods like rice. Their diet should incorporate decent portions of vegetables and protein instead. Control their lipid intake as it can cause cardiovascular issues. Consider a keto diet after consulting your physician if you or your loved one has type 2 diabetes, as it can lower your HBA1C.

While most people believe that diabetic people should not eat sugary food, avoiding carbs can cause low blood sugar levels and a lack of insulin production that can endanger your body. Instead, it’s best to give the patient sugars and carbs in controlled amounts and let them have a treat once in a while.

3. Help Them Exercise

Exercise is essential for diabetic individuals as it can make you more sensitive to insulin. Ensure the patient has decent physical activity and help them exercise whenever possible. Exercise will also prevent them from gaining weight which makes their body more resistant to insulin.

However, you’ll need to ensure that the exercises are safe and the patient does not strain or injure themselves. Physical injury can be dangerous as diabetic wounds take time to heal. The patient may also develop low blood glucose levels after exercise. If that happens, check their blood sugar level and give them around 15 grams of glucose if it is lower than 100 mg/dl. 

Endnote

Diabetes is a complex disorder that requires meticulous management. If you have a diabetic patient at your home, give them a healthy diet lower in sugars and higher in vegetables and fiber. Help them exercise, but ensure they don’t develop a low blood sugar level or get injured. It’s best to hire a Family Nurse Practitioner to give them immediate medical attention whenever they need it. 

This is a guest blog entry.

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