Diabetes and Physical Therapy

Course Description

Diabetes mellitus is a common endocrine pathology associated with abnormally elevated glucose dilution due to limited insulin production, limited target cell responsiveness, or a combination of both. This leads to a constant state of hyperglycemia. Over time, chronic hyperglycemia leads to destruction of different organs; primarily blood vessels, the nervous system, heart, eyes and kidneys.  Of significant concern to physical therapists is the fact that nearly one quarter of all people 65 and older in the U.S. has pre-diabetes.