Diabetes

Diabetes is a group of diseases that affect how the body uses blood sugar (glucose). The result is too much glucose in the blood which can lead to serious health problems.

Whatever your role may be, as a caregiver it’s important to know the recommended levels for blood sugar. Here are the typical normal levels:

BEFORE BREAKFAST	Normal blood sugar before breakfast should be *between 70 mg/dl and 100 mg/dl.*
AFTER ANY MEAL	After a meal, blood sugar should be *less than 180 mg/dl.*
DURING ACTIVITIES	During everyday activities, blood sugar should *range from 100 mg/dl to 140 mg/dl.*

Blood sugar should be tested four times per day, before every meal, and before bed time.
Even one missed test can lead to an emergency!

Preventing Common Complications of Diabetes

Heart disease and stroke: Assist clients to maintain a healthy weight. Check their blood pressure as ordered.
Kidney disease: Watch for and report signs of a UTI and/or any fluid build up or increased blood pressure.
Diabetic neuropathy: Inspect and clean your client’s feet every day. Wounds may go unnoticed if the pain sensation is dulled. This can lead to infections or other complications.
Slow wound healing: Check your clients daily for cuts and irritated areas. Remember that most diabetics heal very slowly, so the best thing is to catch cuts and scrapes early—before they have a chance to get infected.
Amputations: Encourage diabetic clients to wear shoes whenever they are out of bed. This keeps them from foot injuries (like stubbing their toes). Make sure the shoes fit properly—that they aren’t too tight and don’t rub.
Diabetic Retinopathy: Report any changes you notice in your clients’ vision, especially if they complain of blurred vision, seeing “spots”, seeing “double”, or of having pain in one or both eyes.
Gum Disease: Report any mouth problems like soreness, bleeding, pus, gums that pull away from the teeth, red swollen gums, poorly fitting denture, or white patches on the gums, tongue or roof of mouth.