The American Diabetes Association has recently released updated guidelines on the treatment of diabetes. These new guidelines come with more stringent recommendations that pertain to various aspects of diabetes management, such as medication, weight control, exercise, and modifiable lifestyle factors like sleep. The updated guidance also emphasizes the use of modern technologies that have proven to be effective in enhancing diabetes care.
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recently released an updated guidance document that outlines new standards for diabetes care. This year’s guidance stands out from previous years as it includes more extensive changes, featuring stricter recommendations on medication, new technologies, weight control, and lifestyle factors such as sleep and exercise.
In addition, the new guidance aims to address health inequities by identifying at-risk populations for food and housing insecurity, and connecting them with community resources.
The authors of the guidance hope that these new standards will be utilized by healthcare professionals, diabetes specialists, and policymakers as a reliable source for diabetes care. According to Dr. David Ahn, an endocrinologist and program director of the Mary & Dick Allen Diabetes Center at Hoag Hospital, the updated guidance is evidence of significant progress made by the medical community in terms of better medications/technologies and increased awareness of health disparities.
A heightened focus on weight control
This year’s diabetes care guidance places a heavy emphasis on the significance of weight control, highlighting that weight loss can lead to diabetes remission and long-term cardiovascular benefits.
Being overweight is a risk factor for developing diabetes, and it can also contribute to other health complications like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high glucose levels.
Fortunately, new and more effective obesity medications are now available, along with tools that can assist patients in better managing their glucose levels.
Dr. David Ahn, an endocrinologist and program director of the Mary & Dick Allen Diabetes Center at Hoag Hospital, acknowledges that recent advances in diabetes medications have made it possible for individuals with diabetes to achieve more weight loss, leading to better diabetes control than ever before.
Dr. Thomas Grace, a family medicine doctor specializing in diabetes and medical director of the Blanchard Valley Diabetes Center, believes that the heightened emphasis on weight loss is essential since controlling diabetes becomes easier when individuals are on the path to losing weight.
Highlighting new technologies
The updated diabetes care guidance places a significant focus on new technologies that have proven to enhance diabetes care, such as telehealth, digital health, and telemedicine.
Moreover, the guidance includes new evidence that supports the use of continuous glucose monitors (CGM) to improve access to CGM utilization.
The guidance highlights that diabetes technology is continuously evolving, but sometimes insurance coverage does not keep pace, making it challenging for patients to access and afford care.
Dr. Thomas Grace emphasizes that every few years, new medications and technologies are developed that revolutionize how healthcare professionals manage diabetes.
Modifying lifestyle factors like sleep and exercise
The updated diabetes care guidance also features fresh recommendations related to lifestyle modifications, including sleep and exercise.
The guidelines advise that diabetes patients should undergo screening for sleep health and be referred to a sleep specialist if they experience regular sleep issues.
Dr. David Ahn points out that sleep is often overlooked as a contributing factor to higher blood sugar and weight gain, and untreated sleep disorders, such as sleep apnea, can cause high blood pressure and elevated blood sugar levels.
The guidance stresses that a healthy diet, regular physical activity, good sleep hygiene, psychological well-being, and tobacco cessation are vital for proper diabetes care.
Furthermore, it is recommended that patients’ health behaviors be routinely assessed to optimize diabetes care.
Acknowledging and correcting racial discrepancies
The updated standards of care also introduce new strategies for addressing racial inequities related to diabetes.
There is a well-established link between diabetes and health inequities, as certain groups, such as Alaskan Natives, Black, and Hispanic populations, face a greater risk for diabetes and experience poorer health outcomes.
Furthermore, the cost of diabetes medications, like insulin, can be exorbitant, exacerbating health disparities across the United States, notes Dr. Thomas Grace.
To combat these issues, the guidance recommends that at-risk populations undergo screening for food insecurity, housing insecurity, financial barriers, and community support.
Additionally, patients should be referred to community workers or health coaches who can provide support in managing risk factors and their overall care.
The bottom line:
The American Diabetes Association has recently published updated guidance that outlines new standards for diabetes care. The report includes several recommendations pertaining to medications, new technologies, weight control, and lifestyle factors such as sleep and exercise. The guidance also includes strategies for reducing health disparities related to diabetes care and outcomes.
written By Saman
Checked by Maham
