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An online diabetes course for nurses, medical health care professionals, and other interested individuals.
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.
The world of diabetes is constantly changing. Newer medications, monitoring devices, and dietary guidelines are showing up in the news on an almost daily basis. Earlier detection and treatment are successfully giving the person with diabetes the ability to take control of their health and well-being.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Diabetes Statistics Report of 2017 paints a quite different picture of diabetes than previous years. There are now approximately 30.3 million people with diabetes, roughly 9.4 % of the United States population. 23.1 million are diagnosed, leaving 7.2 million people unknowingly living with a chronic disease.
The World Health Organization gives us a different look at diabetes. According to their research, the number of people with diabetes has risen from 108 million in 1980 to 422 million in 2014. Additionally, the global prevalence of diabetes among adults over 18 years of age has risen from 4.7% in 1980 to 8.5% in 2014.
Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90-95% of all diabetes; Type 1 diabetes accounts for the remaining 5-10%. This important statistic reminds us that the majority of people with diabetes are in a position to make positive lifestyle changes that can affect their diabetes, control their blood sugars and lower their risk of diabetic related complications. Throughout this diabetes educational program, such changes/choices will be discussed.
The goal of this online course, An Introduction to Diabetes, 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.