Pharmacologic management of hyperglycemia in diabetes mellitus: implications for physical therapy

Program in Physical Therapy (Pearce 134), Central Michigan University, Mt Pleasant 48859, USA.

Diabetes mellitus is a costly, chronic disease that affects millions of Americans each year. The classic triad of diabetes management includes diet, exercise, and pharmacological intervention. A variety of complications may result due to this chronic disease, and manipulation of the triad of treatment factors may be necessary in order to effectively treat the individual patient. Physical therapists are consulted in both the primary care of patients with diabetes and in the case of complications; therefore, an understanding of the various forms of the disease, the complications, and the treatment approaches is necessary for comprehensive patient management. The purposes of this article are to give an overview of the disease and its common complications and to discuss the various treatment approaches with emphasis on the pharmacological interventions and physical therapy concerns.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				N. Evans and E. Forsyth End-Stage Renal Disease in People With Type 2 Diabetes: Systemic Manifestations and Exercise Implications Physical Therapy, May 1, 2004; 84(5): 454 - 463. [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Ezzo, T. Donner, D. Nickols, and M. Cox Is Massage Useful in the Management of Diabetes? A Systematic Review Diabetes Spectr, October 1, 2001; 14(4): 218 - 224. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]