Diabetes

Upon completing the course, you will be able to:

1. Classify various types of diabetes and their prevalence in the general population.
2. Describe the prevalence of diabetes among people under 20 years of age, among people 20 years or older, and in various ethnic population groups.
3. Identify various complications of diabetes and cite mortality figures from the complications.
4. Cite statistics illustrating the magnitude of diabetes among African Americans.
5. Discuss genetics and medical and lifestyle risk factors that increase the chance of developing type 2 diabetes among African Americans.
6. Describe how diabetes complications affect African Americans.
7. Discuss various epidemiology studies about diabetes in Hispanic Americans.
8. Discuss lifestyle and medical risk factors for diabetes in Asian and Pacific Islander Americans.
9. Describe the new nomenclature and the criteria for the diagnosis of diabetes.
10. Discuss with the patient how a diagnosis of diabetes is made.
11. Identify 7 risk factors for diabetes.
12. Define and answer prediabetes questions, such as the need for testing.
13. Discuss the results of the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) study in preventing or delaying the development of type 2 diabetes.
14. List 7 signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes.
15. Provide an overview of the three main kinds of diabetes–type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes.
16. Identify 7 factors that increase a person’s risk for type 2 diabetes
17. Advise a patient on the steps he or she can take to reduce the risk of getting diabetes.
18. Describe how the body controls glucose and list various symptoms of hypoglycemia.
19. Describe certain rare causes of hypoglycemia.
20. Describe the pancreatic islet transplantation and explain the benefits and risks of transplantation.
21. Teach a patient about the importance of eating to control diabetes.
22. Explain the food pyramid and prescribe proper servings of starches, vegetables, fruit, milk and yogurt, meat, and fats and sweets.
23. Help a diabetic patient with his or her meal plan.
24. Describe the course of kidney disease through five stages.
25. Advise a patient in ways of preventing and slowing kidney disease.
26. Teach a patient about kidney problems caused by diabetes.
27. Explain to a patient three treatment choices when kidneys fail.
28. Advise a patient who is on hemodialysis about proper diet.
29. Describe for a patient hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis and their relative advantages and disadvantages.
30. Describe kidney transplantation as a treatment of choice for ESRD.
31. Describe the causes, symptoms and types of diabetic neuropathy.
32. Describe how autonomic neuropathy affects the nerves in lungs, heart, stomach, intestines, bladder, and sex organs.
33. Explain to a patient various tests that are done to diagnose neuropathy.
34. Describe gastroparesis, its symptoms, complications and treatment.
35. Define impotence and explain what causes impotence.
36. Explain how an erection occurs.
37. Describe the treatment for impotence, including psychotherapy, drug therapy, and surgery.
38. Teach a diabetic patient about keeping his heart and blood vessels healthy.
39. Discuss with a patient the importance of keeping the hemoglobin A1c number under control.
40. Enunciate 7 principles of quality diabetes treatment.
41. Explain to a patient why he or she needs to take medicines for diabetes.
42. List various types of diabetic pills that help lower blood glucose and identify their mode of action.
43. Teach a patient how to recognize symptoms of hypoglycemia and what to do if the blood glucose is low.
44. Discuss various alternative therapies, such as acupuncture, biofeedback, chromium, magnesium and vanadium for the treatment of diabetes.
45. Discuss the findings of the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT).
46. Discuss various clinical studies initiated to determine the feasibility and benefit of various strategies to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes.
47. On the basis of these clinical studies, identify potential candidates for screening and intervention, compare lifestyle modification with pharmacological interventions, and evaluate various strategies to prevent diabetes.
48. Describe the results of the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) trial and compare the relative benefits of lifestyle modification, treatment with metformin and standard medical advice.
49. Answer specific questions posed by a patient about diabetes: its prevalence, diagnosis, prevention, importance of diet and exercise.
50. Describe the pathogenesis of gestational diabetes.
51. List factors indicative of women who might develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy.
52. Explain the 50-gram and 3-hour glucose tests for tolerance gestational diabetes.
53. Explain how gestational diabetes affects pregnancy and how it may affect the baby.
54. Answer the question often asked by pregnant women: How much weight should I gain?
55. Provide guidance to a pregnant woman about the optimal intake of six food groups during pregnancy.
56. Describe various tests done to assess the condition of the fetus before birth.
57. Advise a pregnant woman about the importance of diet and exercise to control her blood sugars.
58. Explain the pathophysiology of diabetes mellitus.
59. Describe the blood glucose regulation by insulin in healthy people and in people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
60. Describe the effects of alcohol consumption on blood sugar levels of diabetics.
61. Contrast the effects of alcohol consumption in the fed and fasting states of diabetics.
62. Describe the alcohol’s effects on complications of diabetes, such as diabetic ketoacidosis, lipid metabolism, cardiovascular disease, peripheral neuropathy and retinopathy.