Type II diabetes management should focus on weight management, appropriate nutrition, regular physical activity, and blood pressure control, rather that intensive glucose lowering treatment.
Since this early 1980s, self-monitoring has been used as a tool for supporting blood glucose and diabetes management. While the role of blood glucose monitoring in people taking insulin is accepted because of the high risk of severe hypoglycemia, there is considerable controversy about the value of home blood glucose monitoring in patients with type 2 diabetes who are not receiving insulin.
Are the costs of self monitoring in Type II Diabetesb beneficial?
Most adults with type II diabetes managed on oral anti-diabetes drugs do not require routine testing. Periodic testing in selected patients (e.g. those with unstable glucose levels, acute illness, drug changes, risk of low blood glucose) should be linked to specific patient actions (e.g. prevention or management of hypoglycemia, self-directed dosage adjustment)
Most adults with Type II diabetes controlled by diet alone should not require self monitoring of blood glucose levels.
Internationally, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Germany, and Scotland have undertaken studies have reached similar conclusions Using self monitoring in non-insulin treated patients with Type II diabetes is very costly and has not been shown to improve outcomes that matter to patients: death or quality of life.
Most non-insulin treated patients with Type II diabetes do not require routine self monitoring of blood glucose levels.
Naturopathic Medicine offers solutions for Type II diabetes including weight loss programs, appropriate diets and exercise regimes.
Dr. Jeffrey J. Hunt Naturopathic Physician has been working in Trail for over 23 years. He is one of the most experienced Naturopathic Physicians in BC. He is presently accepting new patients. To schedule your appointment please phone 250-368-6999 or for more information www.huntnaturopathicclinics.com