Diabetes Mellitus

Patients Info

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease characterized by a disturbance in glucose metabolism. Insulin, a hormone which is necessary for glucose metabolism (transport of glucose from the bloodstream into the cells), is either not produced at all by the body or is not produced in sufficient quantities. Moreover, the effective use of insulin can be reduced in diabetics. Consequently, the availability of a very important energy source for cells -glucose- is reduced.
This disturbance in glucose metabolism leads to unfavourably increased or decreased glucose concentrations in blood. Furthermore, alterations in the metabolism of fat and protein occur.

The primary goal in nutrition therapy is to achieve a well-balanced glucose concentration in blood in order to prevent acute (e.g. so-called coma diabeticum) and long-term complications (e.g. microvascular complications in the retina, kidneys, and peripheral nerves). In addition to that, the achievement of optimal blood lipid levels is of the utmost importance to avoid adverse cardiovascular effects.

Fresenius Kabi offers tube and sip feedings designed according to current scientific knowledge to meet the specific requirement of diabetics and to prevent acute and long-term complications.