Monthly Archives: August 2007
Drugs That Affect Urine Test Results
Many drugs can alter the results of a patient’s urine test for glucose, ketones, or protein.Before such a test, note which drugs your patient is taking. Then if her test results are abnormal, check with the laboratory to see if … Continue reading
Diabetic ketoacidosis and its Symptoms
An acute complication, DKA requires rapid intervention to prevent cellular starvation and profound dehydration. Although DKA usually occurs in patients with Type 1 diabetes, it can strike a patient with Type 2 diabetes.The three major causes of DKA are undiagnosed … Continue reading
Preventing Foot Ulcers in Patients with Diabetes
Foot ulcers are a major cause of foot and leg amputation in patients with diabetes. Yet, almost half of these amputations could be prevented by using a foot ulcer prevention plan.Before developing such a plan, explain to your patient the … Continue reading
Family History of Diabetes
A family history of diabetes is a major risk factor. If you uncover such a history, find out which type other family members have. The risk of a child developing Type 1 diabetes if a parent has Type 1 diabetes … Continue reading
Different Exercise Programs
The physician will make exercise choices for your patient based on her type of diabetes, diabetic complications, other medical problems, and her exercise preferences.All exercise plans should spell out the types of exercise to be performed as well as their … Continue reading
Secondary diabetes
Diabetes also can result from pancreatic disease and surgery, endocrine disorders, such as acromegaly, pheochromocytoma, and Cushing’s syndrome and therapy with drugs, such as glucocorticoids, streptozocin, pentamidine, and estrogen. Secondary diabetes usually resolves after the primary condition is treated successfully. … Continue reading
Medications for Diabetes
All patients with Type 1 diabetes, and some patients with Type 2 diabetes, need to take medication to control their disease. Type 1 diabetes can be treated with insulin injections. Most Type 2 diabetes can be treated with oral antidiabetic … Continue reading
Gestational diabetes
Gestational diabetes, a complication in about 4% of all pregnancies in the United States, develops as glucose intolerance during pregnancy. If a woman had diabetes before she became pregnant, the disorder isn’t considered gestational diabetes. During pregnancy, a woman’s insulin … Continue reading
Treatment of Hypoglycemia
The treatment of hypoglycemia depends on your patient’s mental status, her ability to swallow, and the severity of her signs and symptoms. If possible, check your patient’s blood glucose level to verify that she has hypoglycemia before starting treatment. A … Continue reading
Type 2 diabetes mellitus
Patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus have insulin resistance and impaired insulin secretion. Many of them don’t require insulin injections. These patients account for about 90% of all patients with diabetes. In the United States, Type 2 diabetes affects more … Continue reading