Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus and Its Effect on the Body - Research Paper Example

? Diabetes The essay aims to address the following objectives to wit to explain type diabetes mellitus and its effect to the body; (2) to discuss different treatment options for type 1 diabetes mellitus; and (3) to enumerate at least eight wellness behaviors recommended to lower the progression or risk of type 1 diabetes mellitus. Diabetes 1 Introduction Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus is an autoimmune disease of the pancreas characterized by beta cell destruction, and is attributed to genetic predisposition of the disease and some form of viral and chemical agents (Basavanthappa, 2007, 687). The disease is also characterized by absolute or total lack of insulin thus, requiring for an exogenous source of oxygen and is called the insulin-dependent type of diabetes. Onset is generally before the age of 30, the reason why type 1 diabetes is also called juvenile onset diabetes. Patients present to the healthcare institution experiencing polyphagia, polyuria, and polydipsia, as well as presentation of lean body mass. According to a study, the U.S population has 5-10% or approximately 800,000of Americans dignosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus, with 30,000 cases being added to the statistics annually (Medicfocus.com, 2011, 16). Effects on the Body From systemic effect down to life-threatening complications, the effect of type 1 diabetes mellitus seems frustrating. The absolute lack of insulin production by the beta cells of the pancreas leads to the elevation of blood sugar or hyperglycemia. Significant abnormalities in the metabolism of body fuels are observed such as the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and protein and in insulin-requiring organs such as the liver, skeletal muscles and adipose tissues. Lack of insulin to these organs may cause consequences in the liver such as hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and ketone production; glycost uptake and amino acid uptake failure in the skeletal muscles; and elevated free fatty acids circulation due to lipolysis (Basavanthappa, 2007, 693). The effects of type 1 diabetes mellitus are worsened if an individual continues to increase carbohydrates consumption despite decrease in the metabolism, especially if the renal threshold of approximately 180 mg/dl is reached. Glycosuria results as the glomerular filtrate cannot reabsorbed the glucose and eventually lead to polyuria or increased urination as glucose attracts water. Loss of electrolytes, particularly sodium chloride, potassium, and phosphate occurs due to polyuria and the lost of fluids and sodium in the body leads to polydipsia or increased fluid intake. The cells become starved due to loss of fluids and sodium, making the person craved for body fuels or foods (polyphagia) and subsequent weight loss (Basavanthappa, 2007, 693). Long-term effects or complications of type 1 diabetes mellitus include heart disease or stroke, blindness, renal failure, amputations, and birth defects (Stump, 2008, 486). Treatment Options Bickston (2003) stated that the triad treatment for type 1 diabetes mellitus are: insulin, diet and exercise, and pancreas or islet cell transplantation (p. 461). The use of oral hypoglycemic drugs is proven ineffective in managing type 1 diabetes mellitus, thus insulin therapy is the only effective medication used to treat type 1 diabetes mellitus (Medifocus.com, 2011, 27). Insulin administration prevent hyperglycemia and long-term complications of diabetes by correcting fasting and post prandial hyperglycemia. Insulin works by mimicking the normal action of the endogenous insulin to maintain the quality of life. Insulin varies according to dosing amount and schedule. It includes rapidly acting insulin, short acting insulins, intermediate-acting insulins, or long-acting or basal insulins. The short-acting analogs are usually preferred over the basal and regular insulins for premeal administration as it works better for persons who have variable meal times and prevents the occurrence of hypoglycemia which is experienced when using a regular insulin(Medifocus.com, 2011, 27). Meanwhile, it is also important to know the different methods of insulin administration to effectively manage type 1 diabetes mellitus. These includeinsulin administration through syringes, pen injectors, jet injectors, and insulin pumps. The FDA recommends that a patient should consult the physician regarding insulin administration as well as continuous therapy as type 1 diabetes mellitus is characterized by a “honeymoon” phase with normal blood sugar levels within a period of time followed by severe hyperglycemia. Profound adverse effects are expected if discontinuation wihout physician’s notice will be implemented. Diet and exercise are also long-term management for type 1 diabetes mellitus. Aside from the 30 g restriction per meal in carbohydrates, the American Diabetes Association recommends the following diet restrictions: 200 mg/day of total cholesterol intake, 25-30 g of fiber, less than 2300 mg of sodium per day, 25-30% calories from fat, and 15-20% calories from protein (Bickston, 2003, 461). A more active exercise is also intended for type 1 diabetes mellitus patients as exercise maintains fitness, health, good circulation as well as lowers blood glucose level. The last sort of treatment is pancreas and pancreatic islet cell transplantation. These procedures are done if severe complications such as end-stage renal disease and life-threatening condition require the patients to undergo transplantation. Pancreas transplantation is a surgical procedure done into a patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus in which the pancreas of a healthy donor is removed and transplanted into the patient with type 1 diebetes mellitus (Medifocus.com, 2011, 32). On the other hand, pancreatic islet cell transplantation involves an experimental procedure in which the islet cells found in the Langerhans of the pancreas are removed from the pancreas of a deceased donor and transplanted into the patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus (Medifocus.com, 2011, 34). Among the two transplantation, the pancreas transplantation offers the best chance for patients to become independent from insulin injections as pancreas comes from a healthy donor. Prior to initiating the transplant procedure, recepients are given immunosuppressive drugs to reduce the risk of rejection. Pancreas and islet cell transplantation are rare and major procedures that may impose serious complications. However, advantages of successful transplant offer a better quality of life free from insulin injections, diet restrictions, and complications. Wellness Behavior and Health Changes Porestsky (2010) identified 7 self-care behaviors intended to patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. These includes healthy eating, being active, monitoring, taking medications, problem solving, healthy coping, and reducing the risks (p. 661). In addition, acquistion of knowledge and skills about the nature of the type 1 diabetes mellitus is also a wellnesss behavior indicating that a type 1 diabetes mellitus patient is eager to take an active role in the prevention of the disease and its complications and in the maintenance of a better health. Healthy eating behavior is demonstrated by consulting a nutritionist and following a meal plan or diet restrictions. Being active involves an exercise regimen of 30 minutes daily in order to achieve fitness, health, and wellness. It is also essential that patients have monitoring attittudes which are demonstrated when patients always check blood glucose levels accordingly in time for medications or to avoid hypo/hyperglycemia episodes. Taking medications is the most important routine behavior that must be emphasized with the patient as the exogenous source of insulin serves the function of their endogenous insulin that controls their blood sugar and maintain health. Type 1 diabetes mellitus patient must also be taught of problem solving skills to avoid stress elevation that may contribute to hyperglycemia. Healthy coping is also a wellness behavior characterized by the patients acceptance that the disease lasts for lifetime but indeed, one can live a normal life. Lastly, an attitude geared towards reducing the aggravation of type 1 diabetes mellitus or its complications is essential in prolonging and attaining a quality life. References Basavanthappa, B. (2007). Endocrinological Nursing. Medical-Surgical Nursing (Reprint ed.) (p. 644-711). New Delhi: Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers Ltd. Bickston, T. (2003). The Endocrine System. Medical Surgical Nursing Recall (p. 449-493). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Medifocus.com. (2011). The Intelligent Patient Overview. Medifocus Guide on: Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (p. 15-44). Maryland: Medifocus.com Inc. Porestsky, L. (2010). Behavioral and Ecucational Approaches to Diabetes Self-Management. Principles of Diabetes Mellitus (2nd ed.) (p. 659-676). New York: Springer Science+Business Media LLC. Stump, S. (2008). Diabetes Mellitus Complications. Nutrition and Diagnosis-related Care (6th ed.) (p. 486-493). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Read More