Just popping in because I did an Instagram LIVE over my previous post. I felt like yesterday’s post wasn’t enough and I needed to come back and revisit the topic again. So, here is the recording for your viewing pleasure and if you are not already following me on Instagram, I’m pretty active over there, @thediabetesnp.
As nurse practitioners (or any provider for that matter), we must practice cultural awareness with EVERY single patient. Let me say that again…EVERY patient! Now saying that, I know that many people think I’m stating the obvious but let me break this down. Over the past week, I’ve come across a number of articles and other online postings that lead me to ask the question, “Do we really get it?”
Hey guys! I wanted to pop in to discuss a way that can assist in the patient’s emotional awareness during eating. One component you can add to your Dietary Food Recall is the location of where they are eating and their feelings at the moment of eating. Let me explain…
Hey guys! Yesterday, I posted about a thorough Food Recall and I wanted to pop in today and answer a common question: How long should I do the Food Recall? Personal, I prefer a 3-day Food Recall.
So let’s talk about a good FOOD RECALL for diabetic patients! In all honesty, performing a food recall is beneficial for any patient but it can be extremely insightful for you and your patients with diabetes. The purpose of it is to get an accurate daily dietary intake. This especially important because we see clearly what the issue for the patient is. Is it that they binge eat? Is it that they make unhealthy choices when they are hungry? The food recall can tell this plus more and can assist us with tailoring our education for the patient.
It goes without saying that most people want to PREVENT diabetes at all cost. So you can imagine how many conversations I have over this very topic. People have seen family members and loved ones suffer with this chronic disease and they just don’t want to be fooled with it. Diabetes has this black cloud over it, something like a death sentence to some. People automatically think that they will be put on insulin shots or have amputated limbs and because of this a good portion of diabetes education is spent debunking misconceptions. Now clearly, untreated, diabetes can and will wreck havoc on one’s life but that doesn’t have to be the case. So I thought it would be great to give some talking points over ways one could prevent diabetes.
According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Medical nutrition therapy (MNT) is a key component of diabetes education and management. MNT is defined as a “nutrition-based treatment provided by a registered dietitian nutritionist.” It includes “a nutrition diagnosis as well as therapeutic and counseling services to help manage diabetes.”
Yesterday, I posted an overview over the Food Guidelines for Diabetes by AACE. Today I would like to answer a question that, as providers, we get often: “What’s the BEST diet for Diabetes?”
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How many times have you been asked by patients: “How should I eat as a diabetic?” or “What’s the best diet for diabetes?” or “What kinds of food can I eat?” For me…countless times but have you noticed when it comes to dietary counseling for diabetes, it’s a broad spectrum. It’s kind of all over the place. With all of the fad and designer diets, no wonder our patients are confused.
Diabetes Complications: What is Peripheral Artery Disease??? Well, I dive into it in this video! I also discuss the diagnosis and treatment of the diabetic complication, peripheral artery disease and what we as the providers should be looking for.
As I mentioned in the previous post, ensuring that your patients know how to perform proper foot care is crucial and it can single-handedly prevent or reduce the chance of diabetic compications such as neuropathy, peripheral artery disease, and even amputations.
A quick post to discuss the importance of educating and empowering our patients over daily foot checks. Our patients spend the majority of the time outside of our clinic so helping them become self sufficient and able to manage their diagnosis is crucial. Taking the time to give them takeaways to proper care for their feet will definitely do this for them.
I previously posted about the Diabetic Foot Examination and discussed an overview of what nurse practitioners should keep in mind with assessing the diabetic’s feet. Today, I would like to dive more in detail over the individual components of the exam.
Today let’s talk about the diabetic foot exam. As NURSE PRACTITIONERS, we need to make it a habit to check our patients' feet when they come into the office. Not only do we need to access their feet but we also need to educate our patients over proper diabetic foot care so they will be empowered at home to care for their feet. Some may think that this is excessive but, this is a simple way to prevent any complications and decrease the advancement of any diabetic complications that already exist.
What is Diabetic Neuropathy? (For Nurse Practitioners)// In today's video, I am discussing Diabetic Neuropathy and what it is.
An Overview: Chronic Complications of Diabetes// In today's video, I discuss the common chronic complications that can arise with DIABETES. This is a general overview of the two categories, MACROVASCULAR & MICROVASCULAR.
In today's video, I discuss HYPOGLYCEMIA in diabetes and what NURSE PRACTITIONERS need to keep in mind when managing and treating our patients. This would include how to treat hypoglycemia and proper patient education. This is a topic that I believe can be glossed over because it is so common in diabetes mellitus but that is the very reason we should cover hypoglycemia in diabetes periodically...because it is common!
In today's video, I give a brief overview of the common complications of DIABETES...common signs and symptoms of diabetes. For the month of March, I will be detailing each complication individually to better educate you over each condition.
The Patient Corner (MONITORING) // On today's PATIENT CORNER, we are discussing MONITORING! It is recommended for you to monitor your blood glucose at home (self-monitoring blood glucose) and for you to come into the office to have lab work done regularly.
