Session 1: Diabetes Foot Care & Wound Management

People with diabetes need special foot care due to the risk of nerve damage and poor circulation. This can lead to unnoticed injuries and slow-healing wounds, increasing the risk of infections and ulcers. Proper foot care includes daily inspection, keeping feet clean and moisturized, wearing protective footwear, and avoiding walking barefoot. Wound management involves cleaning, dressing, controlling blood sugar, and medical treatment to prevent complications like infections or amputations. Early detection and care are key.

Session 2: Diabetes & Pregnancy

Diabetes during pregnancy can affect both the mother and baby. It includes preexisting diabetes (Type 1 or Type 2) and gestational diabetes, which develops during pregnancy. Poorly controlled blood sugar increases the risk of complications such as high birth weight, premature delivery, and birth defects. Proper management through diet, exercise, blood sugar monitoring, and sometimes insulin is crucial for a healthy pregnancy and baby. Regular prenatal care is essential.

Session 3: Diabetes & Sexual & Urologic Problems

Diabetes can cause sexual and urologic problems due to nerve damage and poor blood flow. In men, it may lead to erectile dysfunction and low testosterone. In women, it can cause vaginal dryness, reduced libido, and discomfort during sex. Urologic issues like bladder problems, urinary tract infections, and incontinence are also common. Good blood sugar control, healthy lifestyle habits, and medical treatment can help manage these complications.

Session 4: Diabetes & Dental Problems

Diabetes increases the risk of dental problems such as gum disease, tooth decay, dry mouth, and infections. High blood sugar levels can weaken the immune system and reduce the body’s ability to fight bacteria in the mouth. This can lead to inflammation, bleeding gums, and even tooth loss if untreated. Good oral hygiene, regular dental check-ups, and proper blood sugar control are essential to prevent and manage these issues.

Session 5: Diabetes Management & Treatment

Diabetes management focuses on keeping blood sugar levels within a healthy range to prevent complications. Treatment includes a balanced diet, regular physical activity, blood sugar monitoring, and medication or insulin if needed. Lifestyle changes like weight control, stress management, and quitting smoking also play a key role. Regular check-ups help track progress and adjust treatment plans for better long-term health.

Session 6: Carbohydrate Management

Carbohydrate management is essential for controlling blood sugar levels, especially in people with diabetes. It involves monitoring the type and amount of carbs consumed, choosing complex carbs like whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, and spreading intake evenly throughout the day. Techniques like carb counting and the glycemic index help in planning meals. Proper carb management supports stable energy levels and better diabetes control.

Session 7: Weight Management

Weight management involves maintaining a healthy body weight through a balanced diet, regular physical activity, and lifestyle changes. It is important for overall health and helps prevent or manage conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure. Successful weight management focuses on long-term habits, such as portion control, healthy food choices, and staying active, rather than quick fixes or fad diets.

Session 8: Micronutrient Deficiencies

Micronutrient deficiencies occur when the body lacks essential vitamins and minerals like iron, vitamin D, B12, calcium, or iodine. These deficiencies can lead to a range of health problems, including fatigue, weakened immunity, poor bone health, and developmental issues. They often result from poor diet, absorption problems, or certain medical conditions. A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fortified foods helps prevent and correct these deficiencies.

Session 9: Impact of Diet on Complications

Diet plays a crucial role in preventing and managing diabetes-related complications. A balanced diet helps control blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels, reducing the risk of heart disease, kidney damage, nerve problems, and vision loss. Eating nutrient-rich foods, limiting processed sugars and fats, and managing portion sizes can significantly slow the progression of complications. Consistent dietary habits support overall health and improve quality of life for people with diabetes.

Session 10: Role of Nutrition Therapy

Nutrition therapy is a key part of managing diabetes and overall health. It involves creating personalized eating plans that help control blood sugar, maintain a healthy weight, and reduce the risk of complications. By focusing on balanced meals with the right mix of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals, nutrition therapy supports energy needs and improves long-term health outcomes. It also empowers individuals to make informed food choices for better disease management.

Session 11: A1C Test & Diabetes

The A1C test measures the average blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months by assessing the percentage of glycated hemoglobin in the blood. It is a key tool for diagnosing and monitoring diabetes. A higher A1C indicates poorer blood sugar control and a greater risk of complications. Regular A1C testing helps guide treatment decisions and track the effectiveness of diabetes management.

Session 12: Artificial Pancreas

An artificial pancreas is a technology designed to automatically monitor and manage blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. It combines a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), an insulin pump, and a control algorithm to deliver the right amount of insulin as needed. This system helps maintain better blood sugar control, reduces the risk of highs and lows, and improves quality of life by easing daily diabetes management.

Session 13: Continuous Glucose Monitoring

Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) is a technology that tracks blood sugar levels in real-time throughout the day and night using a small sensor placed under the skin. It provides detailed glucose data, helping people with diabetes make informed decisions about diet, exercise, and medication. CGM improves blood sugar control, reduces the risk of hypoglycemia, and enhances overall diabetes management.

Session 14: Clinical Nutrition & Lifestyle Interventions

Clinical nutrition and lifestyle interventions focus on using tailored dietary plans and healthy habits to manage and prevent diseases like diabetes. These interventions include balanced nutrition, regular physical activity, weight management, stress reduction, and quitting harmful habits like smoking. Together, they improve overall health, support blood sugar control, and reduce the risk of complications, enhancing quality of life.

Session 15: Psychosocial and Behavioral Health

Psychosocial and behavioral health refers to how psychological, social, and behavioral factors affect a person’s well-being, especially in managing chronic conditions like diabetes. Stress, depression, and anxiety can impact self-care and treatment adherence. Addressing these factors through counseling, support groups, and healthy coping strategies improves mental health, encourages positive behaviors, and leads to better overall health outcomes.

Session 16: Complications of Diabetes

Diabetes can lead to serious complications affecting various parts of the body, including the heart, kidneys, eyes, nerves, and feet. Common complications are heart disease, kidney failure, vision loss (retinopathy), nerve damage (neuropathy), and foot ulcers that may lead to amputation. Proper blood sugar control, healthy lifestyle choices, and regular medical care help reduce the risk and severity of these complications.

Session 17: Insulin therapy advances

Recent advances in insulin therapy focus on improving convenience, precision, and quality of life for people with diabetes. Innovations include once-weekly long-acting insulins that reduce daily injections, smart insulin patches that release insulin automatically based on glucose levels, and artificial pancreas systems that combine continuous glucose monitoring with insulin pumps for automated insulin delivery. Additionally, oral insulin formulations and AI-driven dosing tools are being developed to make insulin management easier and more effective. These technologies aim to enhance blood sugar control and reduce the burden of diabetes treatment.

Session 18: Oral Antidiabetic Drugs

Oral antidiabetic drugs are medications taken by mouth to help manage blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. They work through various mechanisms, such as increasing insulin sensitivity, stimulating insulin production, reducing glucose absorption, or promoting glucose excretion. Common classes include metformin, sulfonylureas, DPP-4 inhibitors, SGLT2 inhibitors, and thiazolidinediones. These drugs are often used alone or in combination to improve blood sugar control and reduce the risk of complications.

Session 19: Artificial pancreas technology

Artificial pancreas technology combines continuous glucose monitoring with an insulin pump and a smart algorithm to automatically regulate blood sugar levels. It mimics the natural function of the pancreas by continuously measuring glucose and delivering the right amount of insulin without manual input. This technology helps improve blood sugar control, reduces the risk of hypoglycemia, and eases the daily management of diabetes, significantly enhancing quality of life for users.

Session 20: Pharmacotherapy in diabetics

Pharmacotherapy in diabetes involves using medications to control blood sugar levels and prevent complications. It includes oral drugs like metformin, sulfonylureas, and SGLT2 inhibitors, as well as injectable treatments such as insulin and GLP-1 receptor agonists. The choice of therapy depends on the type of diabetes, blood sugar levels, and individual patient needs. Effective pharmacotherapy, combined with lifestyle changes, helps maintain glucose control and reduces the risk of long-term complications.

Session 21: Medical Nutrition Therapy

Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) is a personalized approach to managing health conditions like diabetes through tailored dietary plans. It involves assessing an individual’s nutritional needs and creating meal plans that help control blood sugar, manage weight, and prevent complications. MNT supports overall health by promoting balanced nutrient intake, improving metabolic control, and empowering patients to make informed food choices as part of their treatment.

Session 22: Nutritional interventions in pediatric and geriatric

Nutritional interventions in pediatrics focus on supporting growth, development, and preventing nutrient deficiencies through balanced diets rich in essential vitamins and minerals. In geriatrics, nutrition aims to maintain muscle mass, bone health, and manage chronic conditions by addressing calorie needs, digestion, and nutrient absorption. Tailored nutrition plans in both groups help improve health outcomes and quality of life.

Session 23: New biomarkers in diabetics

New biomarkers are helping improve early detection and management of diabetes. These include specific proteins, metabolites, and genetic markers that indicate the risk of developing diabetes or its complications. Advances in proteomics, metabolomics, and digital biomarkers enable more personalized monitoring of blood sugar control and disease progression. These biomarkers offer promise for better prediction, prevention, and tailored treatment of diabetes.

Session 24: Advances in diabetes immunotherapy

Recent advances in diabetes immunotherapy focus on slowing or preventing type 1 diabetes by targeting the autoimmune attack on insulin-producing cells. Key developments include drugs like teplizumab that modulate the immune system to preserve beta cells, peptide-based therapies that promote immune tolerance, and new approaches using nanoparticles for targeted delivery. These therapies aim to delay disease progression, reduce insulin dependence, and improve patient outcomes.

Session 25: Role of artificial intelligence in diabetes care

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming diabetes care by improving diagnosis, monitoring, and personalized treatment. AI algorithms analyze large amounts of data from continuous glucose monitors, wearables, and medical records to predict blood sugar trends, optimize insulin dosing, and detect complications early. AI-powered tools help healthcare providers tailor therapies, enhance patient self-management, and improve overall outcomes, making diabetes care more precise and efficient.

Session 26: Precision medicine and personalized nutrition

Precision medicine and personalized nutrition tailor healthcare and dietary plans to an individual’s genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. In diabetes care, this approach helps customize treatments and nutrition strategies to better control blood sugar, prevent complications, and improve overall health. By considering unique differences among patients, personalized plans enhance effectiveness and support long-term disease management.

Session 27: Diabetes distress and mental health

Diabetes distress refers to the emotional burden and stress related to managing diabetes, which can affect mental health and diabetes control. It includes feelings of frustration, worry, and burnout. Poor mental health, such as depression and anxiety, is common in people with diabetes and can impact self-care and treatment adherence. Addressing diabetes distress through counseling, support, and coping strategies is vital for improving both emotional well-being and diabetes outcomes.

Session 28: Diabetic nephropathy, neuropathy, and retinopathy

Diabetic nephropathy, neuropathy, and retinopathy are common complications of diabetes caused by long-term high blood sugar damaging kidneys, nerves, and eyes.

·        Nephropathy leads to kidney dysfunction and can progress to kidney failure.

·        Neuropathy causes nerve damage, resulting in pain, numbness, or weakness, especially in the feet and hands.

·        Retinopathy affects the eyes, potentially causing vision loss or blindness.
Good blood sugar control and regular medical check-ups help prevent or slow these complications.

Session 29: Cardiovascular disease in diabetes

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major complication of diabetes, as high blood sugar levels damage blood vessels and increase the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and hypertension. People with diabetes are more likely to develop atherosclerosis (narrowing of arteries) and other heart-related problems. Managing blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol, and adopting a healthy lifestyle are key to reducing cardiovascular risk in diabetes. Regular screening and early treatment improve outcomes.

Session 30: Hypoglycemia unawareness

Hypoglycemia unawareness occurs when a person with diabetes loses the ability to recognize early symptoms of low blood sugar, such as shakiness or sweating. This increases the risk of severe hypoglycemia, which can cause confusion, seizures, or loss of consciousness. It often develops after frequent low blood sugar episodes. Managing blood sugar carefully and avoiding repeated hypoglycemia can help restore awareness and reduce risks.

Session 31: Global diabetes trends and policies

Diabetes has become a global health crisis, with the number of adults living with the condition surpassing 800 million, more than quadrupling since 1990. The global prevalence of diabetes in adults rose from 7% to 14% between 1990 and 2022, with the most significant increases observed in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In 2022, nearly 450 million adults aged 30 and older—about 59% of all adults with diabetes—remained untreated, highlighting a critical gap in care, particularly in LMICs.