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An Update on Type 2 Diabetes: Front Shop Module 3, 2022
Diabetes is a major health threat that has reached alarming levels. It is one of the fastest-growing global health emergencies of the 21st century. Type 2 diabetes accounts for most of the diabetes worldwide.
Type 2 diabetes mellitus – commonly referred to as type 2 diabetes – is a serious, long-term disorder in which the amount of sugar (glucose) in the blood is elevated.
If left untreated, hyperglycaemia (elevated blood sugar) can lead to disabling and life-threatening health complications. Over time, hyperglycaemia or uncontrolled diabetes can lead to complications such as visual impairment, heart disease, kidney disease or stroke. However, if appropriate management of diabetes is achieved, these complications can be delayed or prevented altogether.
Living with diabetes can be stressful. Patients with diabetes may need to monitor their blood sugar, eat correctly, exercise regularly and generally follow a healthy lifestyle. In addition, patients may need to take several medicines as prescribed to maintain blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol levels within the recommended ranges.
Patients with diabetes often have no symptoms, so the motivation to continue with lifestyle and medication recommendations may sometimes be lacking. The front shop member of staff can support patients with diabetes and continually reinforce the messages that patients need to persist with their medications and their diabetes management plan. The front shop member of staff in the pharmacy can play a valuable supportive role for patients with diabetes as well as reminding customers from 45 years and over to test for high blood sugar every three years if their last test was normal.
