Diabetes Care & Education
This section serves as the core hub for diabetes-related content, including clinical care, education, technology, Standards of Care updates, and practical diabetes management strategies. Diabetes care, diabetes education, diabetes management, CGM, insulin management, diabetes technology, DSMES, diabetes nutrition
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Your Guide to Diabetes Supplies: Insulin Syringes
For many people living with diabetes, insulin injections are a part of everyday life. Vials and syringes were once the only way to prescribe insulin for home use. Despite the availability of insulin pens, many people living with diabetes continue to use syringes to administer their insulin. This is due to a combination of personal preference, insurance coverage, and a lack of awareness of alternative options. This article covers the functionality of insulin syringes, instructions for use, and tips for troubleshooting common issues with patients. What is an Insulin Syringe? An insulin syringe is a medical device specifically designed for…
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Your Guide to Diabetes Supplies: Insulin Pens
For many people living with diabetes, insulin injections are a part of everyday life. Traditionally prescribed using the vial and syringe method, insulin pens are becoming increasingly popular for their ease of use and comprehensive insurance coverage. Insulin pens offer a convenient and discreet way to administer insulin while on-the-go. They are easy to use, provide accurate dosing, and reduce the risk of needlestick injuries. This article covers the functionality of insulin pens, instructions for use, and tips for troubleshooting common issues with your patients. What is an Insulin Pen? An insulin pen is a medical device used to inject…
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Your Guide to Diabetes Supplies: Glucometers
Glucometers are one of the most commonly prescribed diabetes supplies. Understanding how to use a glucometer and interpreting the results accurately is essential for effective diabetes management. By using a glucometer, people with diabetes can track their blood sugar levels and adjust their diet and medication regimen accordingly. This article covers the functionality of a glucometer, instructions for use, and tips for troubleshooting common issues with glucometers. What is a Glucometer? A glucometer measures blood glucose levels using a small blood sample obtained by pricking a finger with a lancet. Results are displayed within seconds on the meter’s screen, allowing…
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Three Surprising Changes to the 2023 ADA Standards of Care
Here are three surprising changes to the 2023 ADA standards of care.
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Remission vs Reversal
I’d like to think we are at the cusp of finding a cure for diabetes. Given the immense day-to-day burden, it can’t come fast enough. Until then, it’s important to proactively manage blood sugars, macro- and microvascular changes, and long term complications. With early and aggressive intervention, it’s not impossible to achieve euglycemia in those with endogenous insulin production—usually Type 2 Diabetes (T2D). Substantial lifestyle change may even yield near “normal” glucose with little to no pharmacological intervention. While it is tempting to think of this process as a “reversal” of diabetes, a 2021 consensus report recommends the term “remission”…
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Diagnosing Type 1 Diabetes in Adults
The UK T1D Immunotherapy Consortium recently updated their guidance on diagnosing type 1 diabetes (T1D) in adults. This is particularly important as a large portion of new onset T1D in adults are misdiagnosed as Type 2 diabetes (T2D). An accurate diagnosis matters. It can shape selection and advancement of treatment, understanding of natural disease progression, and expectations around the efficacy of diet and lifestyle. Most importantly, a misdiagnosis can be incredibly frustrating and discouraging for patients. Clinical Features While there is no single feature that distinguishes T1D from T2D in adults, presence of the following parameters suggest the need…
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Dietitian Abroad: Spain Edition
I love to eat – no surprise there! I also love to travel; so an opportunity to eat delicious foods in an exotic locale gets ‘two thumbs up’!
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DSME/T: The Gold Standard in Diabetes Education
Managing diabetes is a lot like caring for a newborn—relentlessly needy, impatient, and often irrational. It requires numerous daily decisions and a general high level of engagement and attention. I remember hearing at a professional conference that “if patients did everything their doctors asked of them it would take over 2.5 hours per day.” That’s a lot of time to be doing anything, let alone managing diabetes. To best equip patients with tools to manage diabetes, the American Diabetes Association (ADA), American Association of Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (ADCES), and the Academy for Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) have updated their…
