In the case study of Mary, an obese, African American woman, we are given the opportunity to explore best care measures for her diabetes. Currently, she is taking 800 mg of Metformin daily and maintaining a diabetic diet along with daily exercise. Recent lab work shows a hemoglobin A1c drop of one percentage point, however her current level is still above target at 8.5 and fasting blood glucose levels range from 160-190 mg/dL. To provide the best care for Mary, two approaches may be considered; either Mary 's medication needs to be adjusted or her understanding of diabetes health should be explored. Since patient competency is a key factor in disease management, I have chosen to focus on determining what the outcomes are in strengthening educative needs of diabetic patients.
While diabetes affects all areas of the body, it is known to affect the cardiovascular system profoundly. Understanding the correlation of diabetes and heart health is a …show more content…
While most cardiovascular issues in diabetes primarily arise from increased insulin resistance and chronic hyperglycemic states, it also can be attributed to the unhealthy lifestyle many lead. High BMI levels and trends of poor diet knowledge further exacerbate these factors. As stated in an article by Gamiochipi, Cruz, Kumate, and Wacher (2016), diet and exercise are key in the metabolic control necessary for the prevention of complications and management of diabetes. Researchers found that when patients were provided with educational visits focused on nutrition knowledge and lifestyle changes there was significant improvement in glycemic control, insulin resistance, blood pressure, dyslipidema and inflammation. In Mary’s case, while she states she follows a diabetic diet and exercises regularly, her poor laboratory results and inquiry on weight gain express a need for similar
While diabetes affects all areas of the body, it is known to affect the cardiovascular system profoundly. Understanding the correlation of diabetes and heart health is a …show more content…
While most cardiovascular issues in diabetes primarily arise from increased insulin resistance and chronic hyperglycemic states, it also can be attributed to the unhealthy lifestyle many lead. High BMI levels and trends of poor diet knowledge further exacerbate these factors. As stated in an article by Gamiochipi, Cruz, Kumate, and Wacher (2016), diet and exercise are key in the metabolic control necessary for the prevention of complications and management of diabetes. Researchers found that when patients were provided with educational visits focused on nutrition knowledge and lifestyle changes there was significant improvement in glycemic control, insulin resistance, blood pressure, dyslipidema and inflammation. In Mary’s case, while she states she follows a diabetic diet and exercises regularly, her poor laboratory results and inquiry on weight gain express a need for similar