Diabetes: An Introduction

Course overview

Diabetes (also known as Diabetes Mellitus) is a chronic disease state, in which the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or the body does not effectively utilize the insulin being produced. The result of such events is that an increased amount of glucose remains in the bloodstream. This is known as hyperglycemia. Uncontrolled hyperglycemia can lead to numerous medical conditions and, in extreme cases, can be life-threatening. Prompt, early treatment is the best way to control the disease process and reduce the occurrence of associated complications. According to the National Diabetes Fact Sheet (available through the American Diabetes Association), as of January 2011, there were 25.8 million children and adults in the United States with diabetes. Of that number, 18.8 million people were diagnosed, with an estimated 7.0 million people undiagnosed (yet diagnosed) with the chronic disease. Additionally, approximately, 79 million people were thought to be pre-diabetic. The costs of diabetes, in the United States, are overwhelming. In 2007, total costs of (diagnosed) diabetes care in the United States, was $174 billion dollars. This number represents both direct medical costs, as well as indirect costs for such things as work loss, disability, and premature mortality). It has been estimated that the average medical expenditures for persons with diabetes is 2.3 times higher than that of a non-diabetic person. Factoring in the additional costs of care for undiagnosed diabetes, pre-diabetes, and gestational diabetes (diabetes occurring during a pregnancy), the annual costs of caring for diabetes in the United States is estimated to be nearly $218 billion dollars. Diabetes is an equal opportunity disease, affecting both men and women, of all ages from infants to elders, and also affects all nationalities. In the United States, diabetes is ranked as the 7th leading cause of death. If current patterns continue, it was estimated that one in three American children born in the year 2000 will develop diabetes. Thus, it is critical for the health and welfare of our nation that we begin to understand the disease of diabetes, its implications, and what we can do to lower our risk of the disease and its associated complications. The goal of this Continuing Education program is to educate all levels of providers on the chronic disease process known as diabetes, and to empower them to recognize their own personal risk factors. The program will discuss lifestyle changes, as well as overview medications available to treat diabetes. Additionally, the program will discuss medication conditions associated with diabetes, their treatment goals, and proper patient education. Finally, the program is written to enhance the practice of healthcare providers in all areas of practice, from acute care settings to long term care facilities. Specific guidelines will be outlined for the care of a diabetic patient in a variety of clinical settings.