Here at Homewatch CareGivers we provide in home care and support for patients with diabetes. When someone has diabetes, either the pancreas is not producing enough insulin or the body is unable to use the insulin produced. Insulin’s job is to control the use and distribution of sugar in our bodies. When insulin can’t do it’s job correctly, the sugar level in the blood becomes too high.
A very important fact to remember is patients with diabetes have a much slower healing time that is directly related to poor circulation. When talking about diabetes it is important to remember that there are several types:
Brittle: it is unpredictable changes in the client’s glucose tolerance.
Insipidus: there is an inadequate amount of an antidiuretic hormone that causes excessive urination and thirst. This is more common in younger people.
Juvenile-onset: Diabetes which has its onset prior to the age of 25 years. This form is usually quite difficult to regulate.
Latent: Diabetes mellitus that happens during times of stress such as pregnancy, infectious disease, obesity or trauma. Prior to any of these reasons, there are no symptoms or laboratory findings to indicate diabetes. There is a strong chance that these individuals will develop diabetes mellitus.
Mellitus: a disorder of carbohydrate metabolism characterized by hyperglycemia (too much sugar in the blood) resulting from inadequate production or utilization of insulin.
Pancreatic: Diabetes associated with disease of the pancreas.
Renal: a condition characterized by a low renal threshold for sugar.
The two most common types of diabetes are Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and Non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). IDDM is also referred to as Type I where little or no insulin is secreted. People with this type of diabetes require insulin injections to stay alive. NIDDM is also referred to as Type II. There may be a defect in the release of insulin.
The signs and symptoms of Type I diabetes are: Excessive urination, Excessive thirst, Excessive eating, Weight loss, Weakness and fatigue. Type II diabetes the signs and symptoms are the same as Type I plus: slow healing, Blurred vision, Cramps in legs/feet, Itching and drowsiness.
There are a few different ways to mange your diabetes. Dietary management, Exercise and Insulin Therapy. With Dietary Management, the purpose is to maintain ideal body weight. The meal plan is designed to contain adequate calories, protein, vitamins and minerals. Exercise promotes the utilization of carbohydrates and enhances the action of insulin. Clients may develop hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) after exercise unless they take extra carbohydrates beforehand. Insulin Therapy occurs when the client cannot produce adequate amounts of insulin, so it is necessary to provide this therapy by injection. Insulin lowers the blood glucose. One or more insulin injections each day is required for patients with IDDM. Clients with NIDDM may require insulin during acute illness, infection, stress, surgery or pregnancy.
People with diabetes have to take extra care to make sure their food is balanced with insulin, oral medications and exercise to help manage their blood glucose levels. One method of healthy diabetic dining includes the Plate method ( for more information visit www.Diabetes.org). Homewatch CareGivers will be able to identify signs and symptoms of diabetic related conditions and will provide proper nutrition and skin care for the clients living with diabetes.
If you or a loved one has any of these signs or symptoms contact us for a free no cost consultation.
