Economic considerations of having Type I Diabetes - Research Proposal Example

Economic considerations of having Type I Diabetes Type diabetes is a severe form of diabetes mellitus that happens due to impaired regulation of the Glucose transporting hormone insulin, secreted by the beta cells of the Islet of Langerhans in the pancreas. The impaired production of insulin in the type-1 diabetes is attributed to the destruction of the beta cells by antibodies. Hence, the disease is due to an auto immune disorder and can even lead to serious consequences. The major symptom of this impaired glucose metabolism arising from the Type-1 complication is due to the lack of insulin in the blood stream.

The excess glucose that is not subjected to tubular reabsorption is excreted through urine. Earlier the malady was known as juvenile or childhood diabetes, but the term is a misnomer since a large number of adults are found to suffer from this problem. The basic treatment for such diabetes is by administration of insulin. Pancreatic transplantation and beta cell transplantation are considered as alternative treatments for the type-1 diabetes; moreover vaccinations are tried to nullify the autoimmune effect.

However, all these approaches are long and cumbersome and results in post surgical complications. As a result there is a therapeutic approach through controlled medication that works to maintain the insulin level accordingly in order to avoid diabetic coma and health adversities. The physicians suggest a life long insulin treatment for patients having the type-1 malady. There is also a requirement to control the blood sugar levels of the individuals suffering from such insulin deficiency and in fact it is always the best to regularly monitor the blood glucose levels using home medical equipments to monitor the blood glucose level.

There are a number of online medical stores displaying such commodities that are required for diabetes management at home. The patient suffering from type-1 diabetes can take the advice of the physician and can procure the medications needed and follow up based on a chart provided by a nutritionist or a diabetologist. The total cost estimation of the medicines, the blood easily operated glucose monitoring device and the home based insulin shot kit for a month long diabetes management at home are provided below, for the use of the type-1 diabetic patients.

Monthly cost estimation for home based diabetes managementItemDaily RequirementMonthly RequirementTotal CostHumalog (Lispro) (Rite Aid, 1999-2008)5 units x 4 =20 units/day600 units$ 535.93Micronase (Rite Aid, 1999-2008)10 mg /day60 tablets 5 mg each$ 89.98Metformin 850 mg (Rite Aid, 1999-2008)3 tablets/ day90 tablets$ 75.59Needle Free Syringe Kit (84 injections each) (Rite Aid, 1999-2008)4 injections /day120 injections/month$ 59.98Blood Glucose Monitor (Rite Aid, 1999-2008)1$ 5.01 (33% off from $ 9.98)Test strips (1 kit has 50 strips) (Rite Aid, 1999-2008)1/day30/month$ 55.

99One Touch Ultra Soft Lancets (Rite Aid, 1999-2008)1/day30/month$12.49BD Alcohol swabs (Walgreens, 2008)2/day60/month$ 2.59Total Cost$ 837.56References1. "Medicine Cabinet", 1999-2008, Rite Aid Pharmacy, available at http://www.drugstore.com/templates/browse/default.asp'catid=10&aid=9225&aparam=MedCab (accessed on November 16, 2008)2. "Pharmacy", 2008, Walgreens, available at http://www.walgreens.com/pharmacy/default.jsp'headerSel=yes&tab=pharmacy (accessed on November 16, 2008)