IMEX Associates

Diabetes Management and Team Approach

Diabetes management and team approach, when combined, go a long way in providing the best possible care for the patients. So when I read the latest news on the early team approach being the best medicine, I dove right into it. I am not a stranger to this concept as I have always used this in my practice.

Integrating a team of specialists including a diabetes educator, a dietitian, cardiologist, nephrologist and endocrinologist is the way to go to lower the risk of complications. It can also lower the cost for the health care system. So does an online survey of physicians found out.

About 44% of the physicians reported that 50% of their patients developed one of the complications including nerve pain, cardiovascular disease, stroke, limb amputation, blindness and kidney disease. They said that most patients are not aware of these complications, especially the kidney disease.

What is not realized is that most people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes already have some form of impairment in the kidney. In order for the patients to know of this complication is to require yearly testing for those at the earliest stage of type 2 diabetes including a microalbumin urine test.

Those on the latter stage of type 2 diabetes should have blood testing of the kidney function. Knowing the impairment can lead to interventions to prevent further damage to the kidney and other serious type 2 complications like heart disease.

The physicians revealed in the survey that patients do not adhere to lifestyle modifications as well as following the prescription. In this case, the intervention of nutritionist or dietitians can help patients get back on track. About 63% of the participants agreed the members of the team can help them.

The physicians surveyed, 93% of them in fact, believe that some are not using the team approach to prevent complications although 71% believe it can be done. Diabetes management and the team approach will reduce the burden on the health care system and the patients.

The goal of diabetes management is to achieve glycemic control through lifestyle modification, insulin or oral therapy. This requires monitoring and careful follow-up and support and so there is a need for a core group of professionals with different roles and functions.

This interdisciplinary team approach is not a new concept in the treatment of chronic illnesses but is relatively new to diabetes. There is a need for the diabetes care providers to view their roles and relationships with their patients and with the professionals in other disciplines.

Recognizing the diabetes treatment as complex led both the American Diabetes Association and the American Association of Diabetes Educators to endorse diabetes management and team approach as the ideal model for the delivery of diabetes care.

The diabetes treatment team includes, physicians, dietitians, nurses and behavioral scientists that have training in diabetes management. This team will look after the basic requirements of medication, nutrition, self-management and self-monitoring. This can extend to podiatrists, ophthalmologists, pharmacists, exercise physiologists and even maternal-child care and gerontology specialists depending on specific needs.

This diabetes care team will insure that standards of care are met. The diabetes care should be based on research and focused on the desired outcomes. The team members will support and encourage each other in promoting the care that is centered on the patients and directed to the goal of providing the best care possible. And this can better be accomplished with diabetes management and team approach.

Diabetes experts agree that it is important to control the blood sugar level. This require a better approach to the treatment. The multidisciplinary team approach to diabetes care is essential to meet this goal. This will result to fewer complications so we cannot delay this any longer. We must therefore adopt the diabetes management and team approach.…

Herbal Tea Can Be a Delicious Way to Feel Better

There’s something so relaxing about drinking a cup of herbal tea. It’s flavorful and soothing, but did you know that there are health benefits to drinking herbal tea? Whether you have an upset stomach or a tension headache, or are having trouble sleeping, there is a delicious herbal tea that may help make you feel better.

If you have stomach or intestinal cramps, an herbal tea that will calm those painful spasms will help you feel better. Chamomile tea, known for its soothing and calming properties, is also good for digestion. Or try a cup of black cohosh, peppermint, or lemon balm tea to soothe your cramps.

A demulcent tea will soothe and lubricate your stomach when you’ve over-indulged. Marshmallow or mullein tea are known for their emulcent properties and will help calm down your digestive system.

Peppermint tea is a carminative, meaning it helps to get rid of intestinal bloating and gas. Drinking a cup of peppermint tea is a tasty way of reducing crampls from gas pains or painful bloating.

Chamomile tea has been used as a sleep aid for centuries. Clinical studies have shown that there is an amino acid in chamomile called glycine that acts as a mild, gentle sedative. Drinking a warm, steaming cup of chamomile tea before bedtime will treat your senses as well as sending you off to dreamland.

Valerian tea is another tasty tea that can help bring a restful sleep. Like with chamomile, there’s no morning grogginess or side effects. Valerian tea works especially well for people who sleep irregularly or have a hard time falling asleep.

Do you feel a cold coming on? There are several delicious herbal teas that can help to boost your immune system so that you’re better able to fight off colds. One of the best known herbal immune boosters is echinacea. This is a delicious tea that’s readily available. If you start drinking 3 cups a day when you first start to feel cold symptoms, your cold may be much less severe, of shorter duration, or you might not get the cold at all!

Goldenseal and astragalus teas are made from the roots of these plants and are well-known immunity boosters. Astragalus has been shown to have anti-viral properties, so is another very effective tea to drink when you feel a cold coming on. It can also be used daily as a preventative, to keep your immune system strong during stressful times. Goldenseal has been used to ease inflammation of the upper respiratory tract, easing cold symptoms.

Herbal teas have been used safely and effectively for years, by people all over the world. However, if you are pregnant, nursing or have a history of health issues, it’s important to proceed with caution. It’s always a good idea to consult with a doctor before trying any home remedy for the first time to avoid any potential side effects or adverse reactions, based on your current health. If your doc gives you the green light to drink the herbal tea of your choice, start with a low dose and see how you do with it. You can always drink another cup if all is well.

The next time you need some comfort, why not drink a cup of chamomile tea? It just might be good for what ails you!…

Are You the Next Diabetic?

Insulin enables the beta cells to accept glucose. With the regular dosage of glucose the cells are healthy. Pancreas produces insulin but it has a particular capacity. Pancreas may produce more insulin but only occasionally not always.

With the increasing consumption of fast foods, fatty foods, fried foods and sweet products, the body system calls for more production of insulin.

In the absence of sufficient insulin, billions of cells in the human body are not able to accept glucose. Ultimately it gets mixed up with blood and finally excreted through urine.

Effects:

1. Beta cells start getting weaker without the regular dosage of glucose. It results into dizziness, exhaustion and weakness.

2. Extra glucose in the body is washed out through urine so it results into frequent urination. It further washes off other valuable nutrients from the body.

3. With the loss of water, the body gets dehydrated and the cells of the body get weaker.

4. Weaker cells in the body affect the working of all the body systems.

5. Efficiency of pancreas is greatly affected since it has to be under regular pressure of producing more insulin. So it starts getting weaker.

The continuous process of undisciplined food habits and absence of any type of exercises will further weaken the body systems. Increasing glucose in the blood stream results into thickening of arteries and specially capillaries. It affects the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the beta cells of the body.

Result is Diabetes. It starts eating the body from within and the patient starts feeling its pinch in the form of heart problem, high blood pressure, eye problems, weakening immune system and problems with feet and legs and so on.

This is high time to realize the effects of Diabetes and take immediate steps to correct life style. Eating habits have to be improved. 60-75 minutes regular exercise has to be followed by everybody. Any delay will further increase the number of people going for more medicines and a painful older age.

Visit the site for Reversing Diabetes: …