Diabetes among Australian Adolescent - Essay Example

Diabetes among Australian Adolescent Name of Institution Name Introduction The 2005 research database on Diabetes indicated that 275 Australian contact diabetes every day. The report further suggests that by 2031, 3.3 million Australians will be suffering from diabetes. By the time the data was being released it was estimated that 1.7 million Australians were suffering from type 2 Diabetes(Organization, 2007). Diabetes is also considered a costly disease in Australia as it is estimated to cost $ 10.3 billion every year. Most adolescent suffering from diabetes is mostly overweight or must be suffering from related cases of obesity. Type 2 diabetes Mellitus is the most common type of diabetes and reports indicate that it has been on the rise. In order to reduce the cost of treatment and overall prevention of this type of disease the government needs to address cases of health especially amongst adolescent. Although diabetes is a serious health issue in Australia, preventing and treatment is available. Sixty percent of the type 2 diabetes mellitus can be treated and avoided before it reaches a chronic stage. It is also important to note that diabetes is also the sixth disease killer and cause of death in Australia. Practitioners and researchers have been in constant review on the way forward on managing this disease. Many nutritionists believe that if proper awareness concerning the disease is provided to the adolescent, the disease can be controlled fully (Welfare, 2010). Physical health and fitness provides a chance in reducing the spread of the disease.Many plans have been implemented and evaluated in order to reduce the risk and spread of the disease. Causes of diabetes amongst the adolescent Indigenous Australians living in rural and remote areas have high prevalence to diabetes mellitus type 2. Those adolescents living in remote areas and having premature onset of age suffers the most. Children and adolescent suffering from this disease mostly have family history of this disease. The signs and symptoms are diagnosed at the onset of adolescent and are mostly associated with cases of obesity and overweight cases.Physical inactivity and gene inheritance are some of the causes of this type of disease. Socioeconomic status, healthy play, and role in life amongst the adolescent mostly implicates as a contributing factor to development of the disease.Many adolescents living in rural and remote areas faces the risk of the disease due to inaccessible health facilities and this leads to increasing cases of the disease (John, 2007). Early treatment and delay of the onset of the disease is important in controlling the spread of the disease. According to a research done on 76 adolescent, boys suffered anxiety due to worse diet and insulin non-adherence (Ashley & Laurie, 2009). Social anxiety directly correlates with poor life in both the female and male adolescent children. Fear of hypoglycemia mediates the direct relationship between social anxiety and insulin non-adherence in adolescent boys. The findings suggest that social anxiety, which is common amongst many adolescent, interferes with adherence and quality of life amongst adolescents suffering from type 1 diabetes. Screening and treatment of anxiety provides better adherence and quality life. Diagnosis Diagnosis of diabetes mellitus type 2 is done through checking blood sugar level. Confirmation of the disease takes place using a fasting venous blood glucose test in combination with other baseline tests. Cases of increased thirst, polyuria, and polydipsia are suggestive cases of the presence of diabetes mellitus type 2. Oral glucose tolerance tests need avoidance in adolescent especially those found in remote parts of Australia. Use of point of eye glycated hemoglobin is not recommended for testing diabetes mellitus type 2 in adolescent and children due to poor screening of dysglyceamia (Peter, Alex, Paul, Rose, Fahy, & Glynis, 2012). Blood and ketones level checking for all children and adolescent suspected to be diagnosed with diabetes mellitus type 2. Australia recommends that any adolescent having symptoms of obesity, overweight, or having history of diabetes from the family, having high signs of insulin resistance, have experienced exposure to diabetes sin utero require screening for this disease. Considering those adolescents are still children, they need advice and given time to understand, the consequences of the disease and the need to prevent ad cure it. Appropriate family ad health support is required to enable these children undergo proper treatment and care. Impact on the family It is important that the family be involved upon diagnosis of this disease in an adolescent child. The rights of the child demand for respect at this age an appropriate privacy given according to ethical health standards in Australia. Helping the child modify his/her, life upon diagnosing of the disease is the first step that should be taken in order to cure and treat this disease. The adolescent also requires routine psychosocial assessment to help in management and treatment of the disease. Social concerns could limit adherence due to peer influence, which is common and normal amongst adolescents. Adolescents face constant self-criticism and evaluation while in presence of other people. Social concerns are constantly related to adolescents suffering from type 1 diabetes. Fear of hypoglycemia contributes to lots of cases in adolescents suffering from diabetes type 1. Many adolescents are involved in fear of treating this disease while others engage in overuse of drugs while undergoing treatment(Cameron, 2010). Recommendations for nursing practices There is need for provision of constant support or adolescent suffering from this disease. Limited access to food and health care leads to increased prevalence of this disease especially to children living in remote areas. Observing confidentiality and ethical issue as a factor needs to thorough observation for continuous reduction of this disease. Initial management and diagnosis of this disease is important in controlling and reducing its prevalence. Regular screening and continuous encouragement and support for adolescents suffering from this disease needs to be available in order to reduce the prevalence of this disease. Regular glucose monitoring is important for adolescents suffering from this disease. In case of any barriers to self-management, the clinical doctor and physicians should be informed. Referrals are important and recommended while diagnosing or handling cases of diabetes mellitus type two (Australian Institution of Health Welfare, 2011). All treatments should be aimed and prevention, cure, and any positive or significant improvement should be used to encourage the adolescent for continuouscooperation in the treatment process. Prevention Due to the nature of the adolescent people treatment and control of diabetes mellitus, type 2 faces many challenges. Health experts and physicians needs to play a dominant role to help reduce the spread of the disease. Family support and care is very necessary and crucial at this stage.Sociocultural needs, income, demography and cultural differences present a challenge in combating and preventing the spread of this disease. However, continuous support and management from communities and families involved is important for control and prevention of this disease. There is need for more investment in health programs aimed at complete eradication of this disease. The various ways through which this can be done is with establishment of proper healthy standards amongst the youths. Proper physical and health education in additions to regular physical exercises should be brought into attention for this young people (Heymen, 2012). Measurement and evaluation of the disease through screening is also a preventable measure that should be embraced by health facilities. Equal distribution of facilities and resources is also important in helping reduce the spread of this disease especially in remote areas in Australia amongst the Adolescent. Adoption of certain life styles amongst the youths also plays a major role in reducing this disease. The adolescents are also encouraged to take care of their diet as most of the fast foods and junk foods are the major causes of overweight and obesity cases. Further research Constant research is one of the strategies employed by Australian Medical Association in efforts to combat spread of diabetes amongst the youths in Australia. Diabetes education offered to youths has helped in significant reduction of this disease. The use of appropriate drugs and proper screening procedures are also some of the strategies that have been aimed in reducing the prevalence of this disease. Promotion of healthier lifestyle is encouraged amongst the youths. Development and introduction of physical fitness clubs in Australia is one of the strategies aimed at improving and promoting healthy lifestyles amongst the adolescentsobese (Stalker, 2011). Conclusion In conclusion, the paper has discussed several causes of diabetes mellitus type 2 and diabetes type 1. The causes of the both types of diabetes are different amongst the youths. Poor living standards and negligence have been identified for continuous increase and prevalence of the disease amongst Australian adolescents. The impacts of the disease on the family and social life havealso been tackled in this paper. Considering that the disease is the sixthcause of death in Australia, the government and health experts are in full research gear to help prevent further spread of the disease. References Ashley, B. (2009). Reduced Diabetes Self care caused by fear and fear of hypoglycemia. Type 1 Diabetes among Adolescents, 465-471. Cameron, G. (2010). Caring for Diabetes in Children and Adolescent. Caring for Diabetes in Children and Adolescent, 1 of 1. Heymen, P. (2012, June 1). Health Club Management. Retrieved 2012, from Health Club Managemment: www.healtclubmanagement.com Australia Health Organization (2007). Diabetes in Autsralia. International Diabetes Federation, 1 of 7. Peter, A. (2012). Type 2 Diabeted Mellitus in Indegenous Austalian Adolescent. Type 2 Diabeted Mellitus in Indegenous Austalian Adolescent, 32-36. Sons, J. (2007). Culturally appropriate health education for type 2 diabetes mellitus in ethnic minority groups. Type 2 daibetes mellitus in ethnic minority groups, 16. Stalker, D. (2011, January 26). Health clubs are not a con. Retrieved 201, from tha guardian UK: www.thegurdin.uk.co Australian Institute of Health Welfare. (2010). Diabetes Indicators In Autsralia. Diabetes Indicators In Autsralia, 6 of 24. Australia Institute of Health Welfare (2011). Diabetes and poor mental health and well being an explanatory analysis. Diabetes and poor mental health and well being , 12-14. Read More