title: Diabetes and diabetes medications.
abstract: There are more than 20 million people in the United States who have diabetes; 14 million are diagnosed and an estimated 6 million who are unaware that they have diabetes. Thus, nurses in every setting are interacting with patients who have diabetes. Those nurses who are knowledgeable about diabetes can play a major role in reducing the damage that diabetes causes by educating patients and helping them identify the important aspects of managing their disease. In this article, a brief overview addresses the two major types of diabetes and the serious implications of uncontrolled diabetes. A review of selected antidiabetic medications identifies the mechanisms of action and potential side effects pertinent to each medication. Laboratory tests used to identify and monitor diabetes are also addressed.
authors.affiliation: Kent State University College of Nursing, Kent, OH, USA.
authors.forename: Beatrice B
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Turkoski
mesh_terms: D001645:Biguanides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015190:Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000451:nursing; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000451:nursing; D004347:Drug Interactions; D016903:Drug Monitoring; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D065089:Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000145:classification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007328:Insulin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008019:Life Style; D024802:Nurse's Role; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D013453:Sulfonylurea Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use; D045162:Thiazolidinediones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D001645:Biguanides; D065089:Glycoside Hydrolase Inhibitors; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin; D013453:Sulfonylurea Compounds; D045162:Thiazolidinediones