01 november 2022 – 09:02
Diabetes well on its way to national disease number 1
With the growing number of overweight people, diabetes is well on its way to overtake the number 1 common disease, dementia. In the long term, the complications of diabetes are serious. Not only does diabetes affect the body, it also has social and psychosocial consequences. For this group of people, the Dutch Association of Practice Supporters and Practice Nurses (NVvPO) advocates a lifestyle change and more personal responsibility.
Practice assistant Saskia Sielias: “Fortunately, diabetes is often detected at an early stage these days. As a result, we see far fewer amputations, for example. This early detection can prevent other complications. Yet diabetes remains a disease that requires you to stay alert. Not only are organs damaged, but you can also lose the feeling in your feet (first of all) due to a damaged nervous system. Then you don’t feel a stone in your shoe or a wound on your foot and things can go wrong quickly. We advise everyone aged 45 or older to consult their doctor and ask for a glucose finger prick. You will immediately receive the results and you can immediately start improving your lifestyle.”
Lifestyle change
General practitioners, practice nurses and practice assistants of the general practitioner are the primary care for people with diabetes. Diabetes is too often underestimated. Glucose in the blood affects all organs and the nervous system. Because the glucose in the blood coarsens and clogs the arteries, no oxygen or nutrients can be transported or waste products can be removed. As a result of poor blood circulation and glucose in the blood, diabetic patients often also have other conditions. For example, the complications of diabetes affect the kidneys, eyes, nerves, feet, heart and blood vessels and can lead to stomach and intestinal complaints. Diabetes also increases the risk of Alzheimer’s.
Tips
Sielias: “Most people with diabetes are overweight and eat too many carbohydrates. If diabetes is diagnosed, the most frequently chosen first step is no more sugar in the coffee and tea. People also stop drinking juices and soft drinks. Because most people know what the cause is. Most do not want to eat less, but they do want to adjust the diet. After three months, we will see together whether self-management is working or whether it is necessary to start taking medication.”
Over diabetes
Every day, 1000 people are told that they have diabetes, 900 of them will develop type 2 diabetes. In the Netherlands, 1.2 million people have diabetes (slightly more men than women). It is estimated that 1.1 million Dutch people have prediabetes, the preliminary phase of type 2 diabetes. Of the current adult Dutch people aged 45 or older, it is expected that 1:3 will develop type 2 diabetes in the future.
Over of NVvPO
The Dutch Association of Practice Supporters and Practice Nurses (www.nvvpo.nl) is the professional association of all practice nurses and practice nurses and represents the POH, the POHPVK, future PVH, POH-Ouderen, POH-GGZ and POH-Youth. The policy of the NVvPO is aimed at uniting, strengthening and representing all practice nurses and practice nurses, regardless of their background. The NVvPO has more than 3600 members and represents the interests of all practice nurses and practice nurses at the Collective Labor Agreement for General Practitioners’ Care table.
Source: NVvPO
Editorial Medicalfacts/ Janine Budding
I studied physiotherapy and health care business administration. In addition, I am a registered Independent client supporter and informal care broker. I have a lot of experience in various positions in healthcare, the social domain and the medical, pharmaceutical industry, nationally and internationally. And have broad medical knowledge of most specialties in healthcare. And of the health care laws from which health care is regulated and financed. Every year I attend most of the leading medical conferences in Europe and America to keep my knowledge up-to-date and to keep up with the latest developments and innovations. I am currently doing a Masters in Applied Psychology.
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