Each year the American Diabetes Association (ADA) reviews and publishes updates on the latest research evidence on the diagnosis and management of diabetes. As with all things in life, how diabetes is treated changes with new research discoveries and new diabetic medications. Here is some of the latest information on the diagnosis and effective management of diabetes. All adults without risk factors should be screened for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes starting at age 35, instead of age 45. Adults who are overweight should consider enrolling in lifestyle behavior change programs (going to gym or taking up daily exercise) to prevent diabetes and its complications. Not surprisingly, the new recommendations include staying up to date with an annual flu vaccination. They also include the importance of monitoring adults with risk factors for diabetes or diagnosed with diabetes for cognitive capacity or impairment. Changes in cognitive capacity or signs of cognitive impairment can increase the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar level), and severe hypoglycemia increases the risk of dementia. New recommendations underscore the importance of individuals with diabetes selecting an easy-to-use glucometer, receive ongoing training and education, and be evaluated on their skills in the use of selected devices plus the understanding of the data received from those devices. America has made giant leaps in being able to offer a wide variety of diabetic medications in pill form or continuous administration of insulin via a tiny needle as thin as a human hair under the skin, medications and technology that no longer require daily injections and offer a better quality of life.

The Nurse