Dietary management of nursing home residents with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus
Article Abstract:
Up to 20 percent of persons aged 80 years and older have non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), and hence many nursing home residents have this disease. While blood glucose must be monitored and is often treated with diet or oral medication, the disease does not require insulin injections and is not as serious as insulin-dependent diabetes. When elderly patients with NIDDM are admitted to a nursing home, they are almost always put on a diabetic diet, which does not allow sweets and limits the portion size of other foods. Since the variety and amount of foods on the diabetic diet are restricted, patients might prefer to receive a regular diet. The authors questioned whether the diabetic diet is in fact beneficial and necessary in this setting. Eighteen patients followed a diabetic diet for four weeks, both before and after following a regular diet for eight weeks. During the study their fasting blood sugar and dietary intake were monitored. The short-term use of the regular diet did not have a large adverse effect on blood sugar control, although fasting glucose did rise somewhat. Regular diets served in institutions are generally well-balanced and meals are served at consistent intervals, which may not be the case when diabetics prepare their own meals at home. Thus regular diets may not be harmful for patients with NIDDM living in nursing homes. The authors stress that exceptions should be made for certain individuals who need the diabetic diet because they are obese and should not gain weight, and individuals whose blood sugars are difficult to control. Also, more research is needed to evaluate the regular diet in NIDDM over a longer time period. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0002-9165
Year: 1990
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Culture and medicine: the influence of puritanism on American medical practice
Article Abstract:
Looking for Puritan values in American medical care shows the cultural traits of any medical care system. Puritan values influence American medicine in the areas of alcohol use, pain control, pregnancy and preventive medicine. Proscribing heavy drinking and very much use of narcotics for fear they might be addictive is a sign of Puritan values in the first two. Puritanism has always been uncomfortable with pregnancy and this shows up in many ways in the manner of childbirth in this country. Preventive medicine shows signs of Puritanism in the proscribing of certain behaviors and the touting of regular exercise.
Publication Name: Perspectives in Biology and Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0031-5982
Year: 1995
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