Type 2 Diabetes Self Care

Type 2 Diabetes Self Care

Are you suffering in type 2 diabetes and want to learn type 2 diabetes self care? Then you landed in safe hands we are here 24/7 to provide you best information on type 2 diabetes self care.

Type 2 diabetes is a long-term condition. It happens when your body's insulin has trouble telling muscle and fat cells what to do. Insulin, made by the pancreas, usually controls blood sugar. But when it can't do its job right, sugar stays in the blood, making glucose levels too high.

Most people with type 2 diabetes are overweight.The changes in handling blood sugar that lead to type 2 diabetes happen slowly.

If you have diabetes, it's important to learn how to manage it. Talk to your healthcare provider about seeing someone certified in diabetes care and have proper  education on type 2 diabetes self care.

In this blog post, we'll focus on sign and symptom, importance of Type 2 Diabetes self-care, social determinants,  meal planning and how nursing staff help you to manage your health and diabetes.

Signs and Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes

Living with type 2 diabetes is like having a tricky roommate – it throws surprises your way. Whether it's the constant thirst or the unexpected changes in your weight, your body might be dropping hints. 

Signs of Type 2 Diabetes

• Frequent Urination

• Thirst Overdrive

• Weight Games

• Hungry All the Time

Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes

• Energy Rollercoaster

• Blurry Vision

• Wound Time Warp

• Tingling Tango

• Infection Intrusion 

Always keep an eye out for these signals and symptoms, and if they're knocking on your door, it might be time to have a chat with your healthcare team. 

The Importance of Self-Care

Diabetes poses a risk to various organs, including the eyes, kidneys, heart, nerves, and blood vessels, as highlighted by the American Diabetes Association. To mitigate potential organ damage, self-care is crucial, reducing the chances of hospitalizations and emergency room visits.

A study featured in the Journal of Diabetes & Metabolic Disorders identified seven self-care practices that help diabetic patients avoid serious health complications and hospital visits:

1. Healthy eating

2. Being physically active

3. Monitoring blood sugar levels

4. Complying with medications

5. Using problem-solving skills

6. Developing healthy coping skills

7. Practicing risk-reduction behaviors

The above strategies correlate positively with blood sugar control, fewer complications, and an overall improvement in quality of life. However, many other recommendations are often overlooked.

Dr. Tracie Kirkland, Professor in the Department of Nursing at USC's Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, regularly treats diabetics in Houston, Texas, and suggests several clinically proven strategies for patients to use at home . after consultation with your service provider.

1.Annual Eye Exams

Regular visits to an ophthalmologist aid in early detection of retinopathy characterized by blurred vision or partial blindness due to eye blood vessel damage.

2. Foot Care

Check skin and toe webs for sores, ensuring nails are trimmed straight across. Wearing closed-toed shoes helps prevent foot injuries.

3.Report Symptoms

Promptly report symptoms like numbness or tingling, signs of peripheral neuropathy. Maintaining healthy blood pressure, sugar levels, and curbing fat intake can prevent complications associated with bacterial infections and kidney issues, emphasizing the importance of early recognition.

4.Limiting Fat Intake

Keeping fat intake in check is essential. Early recognition can prevent complications linked to resistant bacterial infections, potentially avoiding kidney issues, says Kirkland.

5.Maintaining Oral Hygiene 

Good dental practices, such as brushing and flossing after meals, can minimize the impact of gingivitis and periodontitis. These conditions may contribute to blood glucose irregularities. Regular dentist visits can catch symptoms early.

6.Skin Check 

Examine skin for discoloration or dryness making it prone to scrapes, especially when dehydrated. Note changes in hair distribution or loss influenced by hormonal shifts or stress. Staying hydrated supports strong skin and healthy hair.

7.Sexual Health

Increased urination in men and women may signal complications. Women should check for yeast infections, while men should be aware of the risk of erectile dysfunction linked to diabetes. Discuss symptoms during annual check-ups.

8.Social Support

Despite self-care being personal, Kirkland urges patients to discuss routines with family or friends. Finding motivation is challenging alone. Joining local or online support groups, like those from the American Diabetes Association, can provide encouragement.

9.Stress Reduction

Physical or emotional stress can hinder treatment plans, leading to feelings of hopelessness. Kirkland stresses discussing stress-reducing methods with providers or caregivers and tracking effective strategies daily. Use the guide to note down strategies for personalized stress management.

Understanding the Social Determinants of Self-Care

The guidelines for managing diabetes can be challenging, and studies reveal alarmingly low adherence to health management. Dr. Kirkland emphasizes that patients are willing to practice self-care but often lack the necessary resources.

The National Center for Education Statistics highlights various social determinants contributing to low adherence in medical treatment plans. Patients may face multiple determinants simultaneously, increasing stress and the need for greater support from medical providers.

1.Education

Those with low academic achievement often struggle with low health literacy, making it challenging to comprehend medical information.

2.Housing Status

Unstable shelter access prevents safe medication storage. Patients in apartment buildings or urban areas may lack outdoor spaces for exercise or accessible kitchens for meal preparation.

3.Food Security

Limited access to grocery stores in certain areas hinders finding nutrient-rich, healthy food. In 2016, 6 million households faced uncertainty about their next meal.

4.Income

Socioeconomic status impacts health care coverage, nutritional food purchase, and transportation for appointments. Many struggle to take time off work for medical visits, affecting follow-up care.

5.Age

Older adults, dealing with other chronic conditions, may find it challenging to adhere to exercise routines or care for themselves independently.

What foods should you eat with type 2 diabetes?

To manage type 2 diabetes self care effectively, focus on lifestyle changes such as exercise, weight control, and a nutritious diet. Collaborate with a diabetes specialist and a dietitian for personalized advice. Here are simple tips for healthy eating:

• Learn about serving sizes to control food intake.

• Be mindful of added sugars; choose healthier alternatives.

• Option for water over sugary drinks for proper hydration.

• Reduce fried food consumption for a healthier diet.

• Choose lean meats and low-fat dairy to cut saturated fats.

• Eat appropriate amounts at regular intervals for blood sugar control.

• Prioritize whole foods for a balanced and nutritious diet.

• Increase non-starchy and green vegetable consumption for added nutrients.

These simple tips can simplify meal planning and contribute to overall well-being, especially for individuals managing type 2 diabetes self care.

How Nursing Staff Can Be Supportive

In Kirkland’s experience as a nurse practitioner, she’s worked in private practices, military hospitals and academic medical settings; now she sees patients who have survived Hurricane Harvey, many of whom have had to perform self-care simply because clinics were closed. Kirkland’s experience has yielded many lessons in supporting patients who struggle to support themselves.

Cater to the Patient’s Learning Style

“Every one face difficulty” Kirkland's says, “so you have to make use of what works for them.” She suggests motivational interviewing to understand what social determinants affect a patient or to discover if they have pre-existing habits like smoking or drinking. “Auditory learners want to hear the information like a story, but visual learners want to see their charts from the past few years to understand how much their blood sugar is going up,” she explains. Providers can also use the teach-back method, in which a patient can repeat back what they understood about a conversation, to verify that they have processed the new information.

Develop Long-Term Relationships

Seeing the patients consistently can help establish a dialogue over time and encourage them to open up about questions they might not have asked a new provider.“If I’ve been seeing a patient for the past few years, I really understand their struggles, and I can be a better resource for them,” Kirkland says. “It makes a difference to them if we can work as a team.”

Help Set Goals and Form Habits

“Lasting change is created by taking small steps,” Kirkland explains, emphasizing the importance of creating achievable goals. “But some patients need more help with those steps than others.” Many people with prediabetes don’t always recognize their symptoms and understandably find it difficult to inquire about a seemingly invisible problem. However, establishing camaraderie with others diagnosed with diabetes can promote accountability for good self-care habits.

Don't Blame the Patient

Adhering to goals and habits is difficult, and it’s important to offer help rather than blame. Many adults just need incentives to participate, as well as a healthy balance between treatment recommendations from their provider and celebrating positive behaviors, Kirkland says.

Bottom line

Type 2 diabetes self care involves simple steps like eating well, exercising, and monitoring blood sugar. Recognize signs, get regular check-ups, and inform your healthcare team of any symptoms. Social factors like education impact diabetes management. Eat healthy, watch portion sizes, and stay hydrated. Nurses support by understanding learning styles, building relationships, and setting achievable goals without blame. It's crucial to help patients commit to type 2 diabetes self-care.