Diabetes affects 537 million adults aged 20 to 79 years old, accounting for one in every ten. This figure is expected to increase to 643 million by 2030, and 784 million by 2045. Over four-fifths (81%) of adults with diabetes live in low- and middle-income countries.
Because nearly one in every two adults living with diabetes is undiagnosed, campaigns for glucose monitoring and prior screening tests can be effective in diagnosing diabetes early.
Active support is required to improve the lives of people with (or at risk of) diabetes at all stages of life. Active support promotes independence and encourages people to be active participants in their own diabetes management process.
In this blog, we will first discuss the complications of poor diabetes management. Following that, we will look at strategies that can influence people living with diabetes’ access to basic care, as well as how to improve screening and glucose level monitoring to ensure prompt diagnosis and the prevention of diabetes-related complications.
Diabetes Complication
Diabetes puts you at risk for a variety of serious health issues. Many people with diabetes can avoid or postpone the onset of complications if they receive the proper treatment and make the recommended lifestyle changes.
- Neuropathy
Diabetes causes nerve damage, which is referred to as diabetic neuropathy. Nearly half of all diabetics have some form of nerve damage. It is more common in people who have had the disease for a long time and can cause a variety of problems.
- Skin complications
Some skin problems can be seen in anyone, but diabetics are more prone to them. Bacterial infections, fungal infections, and itching are examples of these. Other skin problems can only or mostly affect diabetics . Diabetic blisters, Diabetic dermopathy, necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum, and eruptive xanthomatosis are examples.
- Eye complications
Diabetes patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes are more likely to develop eye complications and peripheral neuropathy. Regular eye checkups can reduce your risk of glaucoma, cataracts, and other eye problems.
- Foot complications
Foot problems are most common when there is nerve damage (neuropathy). This can result in pain (burning or stinging), tingling or foot weakness. It can also cause numbness in the foot, allowing you to injure it without realising it. Inadequate blood flow or changes in the shape of your feet or toes can also cause issues.
- Kidney disease (nephropathy)
Diabetes can cause problems on the kidneys, causing them to fail. Kidney disease occurs when the kidneys lose their ability to filter waste products.
Control your diabetes and blood pressure to reduce your chances of developing kidney disease.
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD)
Cardiovascular disease (CVD), which affects the heart and blood vessels, is the leading cause of death in people with diabetes, accounting for two-thirds of all deaths in people with type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, people with diabetes are twice as likely to have heart disease or a stroke.
- High blood pressure
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, increases your risk of a heart attack, stroke, vision problems, and kidney disease.
- Stroke
Maintain target blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels to lower your risk of stroke.
A stroke occurs when the blood supply to a part of your brain is suddenly interrupted. The brain tissue is then harmed. The majority of strokes occur when a blood clot blocks a blood vessel in the brain or neck. A stroke can cause problems with movement, pain, numbness, and thinking, remembering, and speaking. Following a stroke, some people experience emotional issues such as depression.
How to Ensure Diabetes Patients Have Access to Basic Care in Order to Avoid Complications
The following elements are necessary for providing optimal care to chronic disease patients:
- Timely intervention
Treatment decisions should be made quickly and based on evidence-based guidelines of the patient for better management of the disease
2. Health-Care Delivery System
The care team should prioritise timely and appropriate intensification of lifestyle and drug treatment for patients who have not achieved beneficial levels of glucose, blood pressure, or lipid control.
3. Self-management support and diabetes patient awareness
A systematic approach to supporting patients and increasing their awareness is required for successful diabetes care:
- Healthy lifestyle options (physical activity, healthy eating, tobacco cessation, weight management, and effective coping)
- Self-management of disease (taking and managing medications and self-monitoring of glucose and blood pressure)
- Diabetes complication prevention (self-monitoring of foot health; active participation in screening for eye, foot, and renal complications; and immunizations)
- It has been demonstrated that high-quality diabetes self-management education (DSME) improves patient self-management, satisfaction, and glucose control.
Implementing electronic health record tools, activating and educating patients, eye exams, self-monitoring of blood glucose, and necessary medications can improve diabetes care quality.
4. Screening and Blood Glucose Monitoring for Diabetes
Glucose level monitoring and screening can help in earlier diagnosis and the prevention of diabetes-related complications.
Individuals should be on the lookout for clinical signs and symptoms of diabetes. And using a glucose monitor randomly to check your glucose level is effective.
To Sum up…
Creating a quality-oriented culture that encourages patient self-management is critical to the successful management of diabetes. Collaborative, multidisciplinary teams are best suited to provide care for people with chronic conditions such as diabetes and to help patients manage their conditions on their own.