Page 275 - fourth year book

DIABETES MELLITUS

4. Fat atrophy at injection sites is now very rare.
5. Red itchy marks at injection sites after starting insulin are also rare,

and if they do occur usually disappear spontaneously.
3) Monitoring and follow up.

 Self-monitoring of blood glucose.

The aim of diabetes management is to keep your blood glucose
(sugar) levels in the normal range or as close to this range as possible.

Useful times to test

 First thing in the morning before breakfast - your blood glucose
should be at its lowest level.

 Two hours after a meal - blood glucose has risen as a result of
eating.

 Before a meal - blood glucose is not as low as a fasting level.
 During the night if you having been experiencing:

o Night sweats
o Morning headaches

o Unexplainable higher than usual morning readings or low
evening readings

 Remember you should also check your blood glucose levels if:
o You are unwell.

o You experience symptoms of a high blood glucose level.
o You suspect that you might have a low blood glucose level.

4) Psychosocial assessment and care

Emotional well-being is an important part of diabetes care and self-

management. Psychological and social problems can impair the
individual’s or family’s ability to carry out diabetes care tasks and

therefore compromise health status.

 Recommendations:
 Routinely screen for psychosocial problems such as depression,

diabetes-related distress, anxiety, eating disorders, and cognitive
impairment.

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