Diabetes is a chronic syndrome associated with abnormally high blood glucose levels. It can develop into macro or micro-vascular disease or neuropathy. Interesting, but devastating facts include:
*$44 billion spent annually on direct medical and treatment costs
*16 million plus diabetics in the U.S.
*800,000 diagnosed yearly
*6th leading cause of death
*Leading cause of blindness
*56,000 amputations annually due to diabetes
*47 million Americans from age 40-74 have Pre-Diabetes
Monitoring your condition, while working with your Dr. and Pharmacist, medication can be compounded for a more comfortable way of living.

Type I and Type II

Type I diabetes is juvenile onset, which primarily strikes children and young adults. They make up about 5-10% of the diabetes population. Sadly, this group is insulin dependent.
Type II diabetes makes up about 90-95% of the diagnosed population and is adult onset usually around age 35.
Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy. It affects about 4% of pregnant women. A woman has a 60% chance of developing permanent diabetes later in life.

Complications

High glucose levels may damage organs and body systems including eyes, kidneys, nerves and the heart. Many times, high blood pressure and cholesterol accompanies the high glucose levels.

Cardiovascular Disease due to diabetes is responsible for 77,000 deaths a year. Once diagnosed with diabetes, one must keep a very strict regimen of diet and exercise in order to reduce the risk of heart disease.

Diabetic Retinopathy develops blood leaks into the center of the eye and may cause blindness.

Diabetic Nephropathy is a disorder of the kidneys caused by diabetes. Once the kidneys no longer function, the patient must choose between a kidney transplant, dialysis or do nothing and die.

Diabetic Neuropathy is associated with the central nervous system. Sensorimotor can be pain and burning to the hands and feet. Untreated, will result into numbness. Autonomic can affect the whole body of the diabetic patient. No danger signs appear, but will eventually develop urinary problems.

Gastrointestinal Neuropathy is hard to detect as the symptoms are heartburn, nausea and reflux.

Sexual Dysfunction can occur in men and women as a result of diabetes.

Hypoglycemic Unawareness can cause the patient to lose consciousness from low blood glucose levels.

Sudomotor Dysfunction is the inability to sweat in the lower extremities and can result in heat stroke. It can also cause dry skin and fissures.

Abnormal Papillary Response prevents a patient’s eyes from dilating and it becomes very dangerous to drive at night.

Ophthalmic complications can cause the eyelid to droop or cause double/triple vision.

Control is the key if you have already been diagnosed with diabetes. In order to prevent or slow down disease conditions you must:

*Monitor blood sugar levels
*Eat balanced meals
*Exercise
*Get regular check ups
*Work with a diabetic professional
*Take medication as directed

Working with your Dr. and Pharmacist the following medications can be compounded to give you relief:

*Mouth rinse for oral sores
*Gum disease formulation
*Skin cream for ulcers
*Ophthalmic dryness formulation
*Foot ointment or cream
*Skin hydration formulation
*Neuropathic pain medication

Gastrointestinal Neuropathy is hard to detect as the symptoms are heartburn, nausea and reflux.

Sexual Dysfunction can occur in men and women as a result of diabetes.

Hypoglycemic Unawareness can cause the patient to lose consciousness from low blood glucose levels.

Sudomotor Dysfunction is the inability to sweat in the lower extremities and can result in heat stroke. It can also cause dry skin and fissures.

Abnormal Papillary Response prevents a patient’s eyes from dilating and it becomes very dangerous to drive at night.

Ophthalmic complications can cause the eyelid to droop or cause double/triple vision.

Diabetes mellitus has become an epidemic among the American
people. Over time, patients that have diabetes can present with
various complications of the disease.

Although there is no reversing the damage, a compounding
pharmacist has the ability and resources to make specialty
compounds, which are not produced commercially, for patients
having diabetic complications. Compounded medication offers
several advantages over the conventional oral therapy. The ability
to achieve pain relief with a low incidence of side effects is the
most obvious, by placing the medication at the site of action using
transdermal gels.

Your compounding pharmacist can formulate and compound
medications specific to the patient. Some suggestions for
improving the lifestyle of the diabetic patient are as follows:

Pain Management—Ketamine, Gabapentin, Nifedipine, Tetracaine,
Ketaprofen in topical delivery systems.

Impotence— Sildenafil troches for a quick onset of action.

Erectile Dysfunction—Tri Mix (Prostaglandin, Papaverine and Phentolamine)

Topical Ulcers—Misoprostol and Phenytoin in topical gels.

Circulation Enhancement— Nifedipine

With the Doctor’s approval, the medication regimen can be altered to each individual patient.