Better Weight Management Instead of the previously recommended 5%, the new guidelines propose that patients with diabetes lose 15% of their body weight. Diet, exercise, and more effective weight-loss drugs are all part of the strategy to attain this weight loss. The recommendations for nutrition and exercise, such as maintaining a well-balanced diet and avoiding processed foods and added sugar, remain the same. But new and more effective drugs are included in the pharmaceutical category.
Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease Changes to the targets for blood pressure and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in diabetes patients are important modifications to the ADA guidelines. Diabetes is the primary cause of heart disease and heart disease is the primary killer of diabetic patients. As a result, blood pressure should be kept under 130 mmHg systolic and 80 mmHg diastolic. Furthermore, those without heart disease should maintain an LDL cholesterol level of 70 mg/dL rather than 100 mg/dL. Patients with heart disease should target 55mg/dL rather than 70mg/dL of LDL cholesterol.
Reduced Amputation Risks The new ADA guidelines call for a more thorough examination of people with diabetes for foot ulcers and peripheral vascular disease, two disorders that can result in amputations. This will lower the amputation rate, which is three to four times higher among Black Americans with diabetes.
Increase Sleep Hygiene The new guidelines encourage physicians to advise their patients on sound sleeping practices and to recognize any individuals who may have sleep disorders. Numerous diabetic patients also suffer from sleep apnea, a condition that causes them to briefly cease breathing while they sleep. Proper weight and diabetes management can improve the quality of sleep in diabetes patients.
Social Factors Everyone with diabetes should be checked for conditions that could impair their capacity to manage their condition, such as food insecurity, unemployment or underemployment, and more. This helps promote treatment adherence and improve treatment outcomes.
Access to Technology The new guidelines allow the use of medical technology, such as automated insulin administration systems and glucose pumps for every patient. Also, point-of-care A1C testing for diabetes screening and diagnosis are recommended. Read more about other notable changes here.
Will new diabetes medications result in a higher cost of treatment?
You might assume the cost of treatment will be prohibitive now that more modern and potent drugs are recommended for the treatment of diabetes. However, with an RxLess prescription coupon, you have no reason to worry. When you use an RxLess coupon when paying for your medications, you’ll save up to 88% off the retail price. You can use your coupon in most pharmacies including CVS, Rite Aid, and Walgreens.
