Types of Diabetes - Report Example

Order 393922 Topic: Type diabetes Abstract: According to Federal statistics, an estimated 800,000 have type I diabetes. Diabetes is more prevalent among Native Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans, African Americans and Pacific Islanders. People with diabetes need to change their lifestyles, eat a healthy, balanced diet. Diabetes Type I is also known as Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and Juvenile onset diabetes. The precise cause of Type I diabetes is not known. 3% of the new diabetes cases each year are Type I. In 7000 children, there is 1 new case, per year. No one knows why this disease occurs, scientists believe that it has something to do with genes. Scientists are experimenting to meet the challenge of diabetes by the transplantation of insulin-producing cells into the body of a person with diabetes. Till such time the scientists perfect a cure, the role of preventive measures assumes importance to meet the challenge of diabetes. Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Definition - description of the disease/problem: “Type 1 diabetes is a chronic (lifelong) disease that occurs when the pancreas produces too little insulin to regulate blood sugar levels appropriately.”(Type I....) This disease is life-long for which there is no assured cure. It is also called juvenile or insulin-dependent diabetes. Like other types of diabetes, the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins and fats is altered. Beta cells of the pancreas produce meagre or no insulin. This is the hormone which allows glucose to enter body cells. As glucose enters a cell, it is used as fuel. This disease can attack at any stage, but people younger than 30 are generally affected. Symptoms are severe and happen rapidly. Etiology - cause or causal factors of the disease/problem In the absence of adequate insulin, instead of going into the cells, glucose level builds up in the bloodstream. This high level of glucose is of no use to the body, as it is unable to use it, resulting in increased hunger. More urination results in excessive thirst. Eventually, within 5-10 years after diagnosis, the beta cells of the pancreas that produce insulin are totally destroyed. No insulin is produced.  Signs and symptoms - items that might assist in diagnosis: Some of the symptoms of Type I diabetes are increased urination followed by increased thirst, nausea, weight loss despite increased appetite, abdominal pain, vomiting, absence of menstruation and fatigue. Secondary complications - additional effects that might occur secondary to the primary problem The body will revert to use fat as a fuel when insulin is not present. Ketones are the by-products of fat metabolism. When they build up in the blood and spill over into the urine, a condition known as diabetic ketoacideosis develops as the blood is made acidic by the ketones. When there is an imbalance between insulin, food intake and exercise, Hypoglycemia(low blood glucose) occurs. Symptoms of this type of development are hunger, increased heart rate and nervousness. When the condition become serious it leads to confusion and even loss of consciousness. This is known as hypoglycemic coma. The above two developments are short-term complications. Long-term complications: Vascular disease:Diabetes Type I, is a disease of management. Long-term complications can be minimized. By the age of 55, 35% of men and women have died from heart attack as compared to 8% of non-diabetic men and 4% of non-diabetic women. The risk of blockages in the major arteries of legs is more. The preventive measures are-- treat cholesterol and blood pressure well, do exercise regularly and quit tobacco products. Micro vascular Disease: As the name indicates, small vessel changes take place in capillaries of each organ of the body. The walls of the small blood vessels thicken. These changes cause many diabetic complications. Eye complications, kidney diseases, urinary tract infections, nerve damage, diabetic foot problems, loss of hair, loss of ability to sweat resulting in nary, cracked skin, fungal infections of the skin, nails, urinary tract infection are some of the long-term complications. Periodic check-ups and evaluations are important to stall them. Signs and tests: Urinalysis indicates glucose and ketone bodies in the urine. Follow it with a blood test which is required for diagnosis. Fasting and non-fasting blood glucose tests. Insulin test to determine to know the level of insulin. C-peptide test. Starting insulin: “The pancreas produces very little or no insulin at all in people with type 1 diabetes. Some people have a "honeymoon" period soon after their diagnosis, when insulin is not needed. Although it is tempting to stop insulin during this period, continuing insulin may preserve your ability to produce insulin for many months or years, making diabetes easier to control. All patients with type 1 diabetes will eventually require insulin.” (Diabetes mellitus....) The long term goals of treatment are obviously to prolong life. Preventive measures are equally important, than the actual treatment. The goals are achieved by one or more measures as considered suitable for an individual, depending on the actual conditions. Education, deal planning, weight control, exercise, foot care and periodical testing of blood glucose levels are some of the preventive measures. The problem of low blood sugar: This condition known as hypoglycemia is as dangerous as the high level of glucose in the blood. This occurs due to too much insulin, exercise beyond the limit, lack of nutritive food. Quick onset of this condition happens when the sugar level falls below 70. The symptoms are trembling of the body, weakness, headache, sweating, hunger and nervousness. Immediate treatment is required in such cases. Have a blood sugar check. Eat something with sugar. Sugar, fruit juice, milk in the required quantity needs to be taken so that the symptoms should subside within fifteen minutes. If not, more sugar should be consumed. After the symptoms are taken care of, the regular food should be taken. It is advisable to store glucagon to take care of emergencies. Monitoring: Four visits in a year to physician are recommended. For a diabetic, each part of the body needs special attention. Maintain glucose control. Cholesterol and triglyceride levels and kidney function needs to be examined yearly. An ophthalmologist, one who specializes in diabetic retinopathy should be consulted , if indications of retinopathy occur. Dental check up once in six months is desirable. The most important issue is monitoring the feet. Any signs of injury or infection should be promptly attended to. Education: Diabetes patient is the most important individual in taking care of diabetes! Managing this disease is an art and a matter of confidence. Short term complications can be avoided and long term complications can be stalled if one possesses adequate knowledge about the different conditions of diabetes patient has to face. Some of the basic survival skills are, treating blood sugar, both high and low, meal planning, administering insulin, monitor blood glucose and urine ketones, food intake and exercise, etc. “Only 5-10% of people with diabetes have this form of the disease. With the help of insulin therapy and other treatments, even young children with type 1 diabetes can learn to manage their condition and live long, healthy, happy lives.”(Type 1-American....) Food discipline: “Your food is your grave,” said Bernard Shaw. People with Type I diabetes need to understand the importance of this statement. Eat healthy and balanced diet. Whereas this is true of all diabetic patients, those with Type I, must take extra care. Food choices and timing of consumption of the food are important. Adequate quota of fruits and vegetables are recommended. Glycaemic Index “Different types of carbohydrate foods are digested at different rates and therefore have different effects in terms of raising the blood glucose level after a meal. Some foods are quite rapidly digested to glucose (e.g. cornflakes), whilst others take longer for the glucose to hit the bloodstream (e.g. All-BranTM). The effect of different carbohydrate foods on blood glucose levels has been quantified by the Glycaemic Index (GI). Foods with a low GI cause less of a spike in post-meal blood glucose than those with a high GI.”(Type I Diabetes....) Food discipline, in fine, needs attention on the following issues: A healthy and nutritious diet, eat consistently, take care of the Glycaemic Index, watch the levels of fat and protein in the day to day diet, monitor the post-meal glucose levels regularly, use of insulin and time to inject the insulin, possess adequate knowledge about the calorie counter to know the carbohydrate, fat and protein content of foods. Type I diabetes is manageable—it mainly depends not on the doctor, but on the manager who owns this disease! ************ Works Cited: Diabetes mellitus type 1: Insulin treatment www.utdol.com/patients/content/topic.do?topicKey... - Cached – Retrieved on February 23,2010. Type 1 - American Diabetes Association- Retrieved on February 23, 2010. Type 1 Diabetes Diet - Cached – Retrieved on February 23, 2010. Read More