Self-Care Practices and Their Role in the Control of Diabetes: A Narrative Review

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a long-standing, continuously growing metabolic ailment in which levels of glucose in the blood increase due to a total (DM of type 1) or incomplete (DM of type 2) decrease in the level of the hormone insulin. Diabetes mellitus affects a large number of individuals worldwide, and as more people develop the disease, the burden will double from what it is now. The requirements of people suffering from diabetes are not only confined to the control of blood glucose; there is also a need to prevent disabilities, side effects, and difficulties in rehabilitation. Studies suggest that seven self-care practices for individuals suffering from this disease have shown good outcomes. Those practices include assessment of sugar levels in the blood, consuming healthy foods, remaining physically active, taking medications regularly and on time, maintaining healthy behavior, and decreasing risk factors. All of these practices collectively have shown good results in maintaining blood glucose levels, decreasing side effects, and increasing life expectancy in people with diabetes mellitus. Those who have DM and practice self-care have shown positive results by reducing the complications of DM, decreasing its progression, and leading to a huge reduction in the burden due to DM. Despite these positive changes, people sticking to these self-care practices are very few, specifically when we see broad and chronic changes. There are many positive contributing factors, such as social factors, demographic factors, and various socio-economic factors, but the role of physicians in increasing the practices associated with personal care for people with this disease is crucial and most important for the desired outcome. Keeping in mind the burden and multidimensional nature of the disorder, proper systematic and combined efforts are needed to increase these self-care practices in patients with diabetes to reduce any chronic side effects and complications.