LEAWOOD, Kan. - The American Academy of Family Physicians has published a guide with practical advice for physicians and their 13 million patients who have diabetes.
The AAFP developed the guide to provide practical advice to its members regarding treatment and self-care for patients with diabetes, with a particular emphasis on those who have type 2 diabetes. Nearly 6.8 million adult Americans have type 2 diabetes and take oral medications to control their disease.
According to the guide, "Self-control: A Physician's Guide to Blood Glucose Monitoring in the Management of Diabetes," patients whose type 2 diabetes is treated with oral medications and whose blood glucose is not in control should test their blood glucose levels multiple times a day to gather data and adjust treatment. The AAFP panel noted that further research is needed to determine optimal testing frequency.
Monitoring of blood glucose is important because more than half of patients who have type 2 diabetes have blood glucose levels above the recommended range, placing them at increased risk of serious complications and death. By checking their blood glucose levels, and using the results to adjust treatment (diet, medication, exercise), patients can better control their diabetes and prevent or delay many complications.
Consumers can visit familydoctor.org for more information on diabetes and blood glucose testing.
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American Academy of Family Physicians Publishes Guide About Self-monitoring of Blood Glucose for Diabetics
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, January 23, 2004
Contact:
Janelle Davis
American Academy of Family Physicians
(800) 274-2237 Ext. 5222
jdavis@aafp.org
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Founded in 1947, the AAFP represents 110,600 physicians and medical students nationwide. It is the only medical society devoted solely to primary care.
Approximately one in four of all office visits are made to family physicians. That is 240 million office visits each year — nearly 87 million more than the next largest medical specialty. Today, family physicians provide more care for America’s underserved and rural populations than any other medical specialty. Family medicine’s cornerstone is an ongoing, personal patient-physician relationship focused on integrated care.
To learn more about the specialty of family medicine, the AAFP's positions on issues and clinical care, and for downloadable multi-media highlighting family medicine, visit www.aafp.org/media. For information about health care, health conditions and wellness, please visit the AAFP’s award-winning consumer website, www.FamilyDoctor.org.
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