“Understanding Medications”
Alongside the increasing prevalence of diabetes in Ireland, we are seeing more and more medications being made available for treating the condition. These range from new insulins for Type 1 diabetes to a variety of tablets for Type 2 diabetes and other closely related conditions such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure.
Diabetes Ireland’s National Spring Meeting taking place in the Newpark Hotel, Kilkenny on Sunday April 22th aims to deal with this issue by outlining to patients the different medications available and how they work to manage the condition.
Dr Anna Clarke, Diabetes Ireland, explains “many patients take a variety of different medications on a daily basis without knowing what each medication does, so this is a good opportunity to learn about your medications”
Speakers on the day include Dr John McDermott, Consultant Endocrinologist, Connolly Memorial Hospital, Dublin who will discuss the current medications used to control diabetes and their roles and the importance of diet and exercise to help medications work better. Ms Kate O’Connor, Dietitian, St. Luke’s Hospital will discuss the use of carbohydrates to control blood sugars. Understanding carbohydrates and how they work give patients with diabetes greater food choices. Kate will also address the issue of severe diets and rapid weight loss as seen in the recent RTE Operation Transformation programme and their impact on long term Type 2 diabetes management.
With the Health Service Executive (HSE) committed to improving diabetes services nationwide, Ms Mairead Gleeson will be outlining HSE diabetes service development plans and what people with diabetes can expect to see in 2012 and beyond.
Dr Clarke continued, “the development and launch of new HSE diabetes services is a Government commitment and of extreme importance to thousands of people with diabetes throughout the country. More regular access to diabetes services will help people manage their condition more effectively and enjoy a better quality of life. I would urge people with diabetes to come along to this meeting and hear from the experts.