References
Type 2 diabetes post pandemic: enabling your patients to regain control
Abstract
There are now an estimated five million people living with diabetes in the UK, most have type 2 diabetes. The COVID-19 pandemic affected access to care, led to delays in diagnoses of diabetes and many people with diabetes experienced a deterioration in their diabetes control. This article provides guidance on how nurses can work with people at risk of diabetes to prevent diabetes, to induce remission and how to use medication to treat diabetes.
Over 4 million people in the UK are known to have diabetes mellitus. The most common form of diabetes is type 2, which is preventable and treatable (Diabetes UK, 2023a). Most people with type 2 diabetes are managed in primary care until complications develop (McCombie et. al, 2017). COVID-19 restricted access to routine diabetes care, limiting new diagnoses, affecting self-management, routine follow-ups, access to medications and affected lifestyle (Khunti et al, 2022). The lack of support has affected the ability of people with diabetes to manage their condition well (Diabetes UK, 2023b).
This article will explore the diagnosis and treatment of type 2 diabetes using a case history approach.
Diabetes is defined as:
‘…a chronic, metabolic disease characterised by elevated levels of blood glucose (or blood sugar), which leads over time to serious damage to the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys and nerves.’
Register now to continue reading
Thank you for visiting Community Nursing and reading some of our peer-reviewed resources for district and community nurses. To read more, please register today. You’ll enjoy the following great benefits:
What's included
-
Limited access to clinical or professional articles
-
New content and clinical newsletter updates each month