Diabetic Disease Management in African American Elderly - Essay Example

? Diabetes management in patients Diabetes is a body disorder in body metabolism that affects the way glucose made from food used, and insulin is a key requirement in the body for controlling the way glucose is used up in the body (Zazworsky & Bolin, 2005). Insulin produced by the pancreatic gland, and for people with diabetes, little or no insulin produced. As a result, since the "glucose is not broken down it accumulates in the blood" and passes as urine (Zazworsky & Bolin, 2005). The body lacks energy and patients become extremely weak. There are two forms of diabetes. The first type occurs when one’s immune system counteracts a body’s immune system and fights insulin-producing cells. The second type of diabetes affects the aged and people with a family history of diabetes. However, lately trends have changed, and cases are becoming increasingly common to young adolescents. In this type of diabetes, the “pancreases produce enough insulin", but the body fails to utilize it well. It thus, ends up not synthesizing glucose as required (Zazworsky & Bolin, 2005). Some of the major experienced symptoms of diabetes include patients being fatigued, frequent passing out of urine, weight loss, low immunity and blurred vision. However, it is essential to note that some people do not elicit any signs of illness. Diabetes can be managed if effective measures adhered (Zazworsky & Bolin, 2005). For instance, patients are required to observe strict diets and prescribed routine procedures. The main concern in managing the disease is normally sugar level management. Sugar levels are highest after eating. Patients are therefore, advised to plan on small, balanced diet meals at regular times. Medical practitioners mainly advise that constant amounts of carbohydrates be consumed since they affect majorly on blood sugar amounts. Good management calls for getting food portions right. Eating in small amounts leads to complications as it may cause reduced sugar levels while eating too much may cause increased sugar level a condition referred to as hyperglycemia (Zazworsky & Bolin, 2005). Diabetic patients advised to engage in a lot of body exercise as it helps improve body response to insulin production in controlling sugar synthesis. Good and simple exercise helps a lot in reducing sugar levels. Regular check up is also essential to keep sugar level in check. Plenty of water is appropriate for patients experiencing dehydration. Good management of the disease leads to hundred percent recovery for patients (Mazze, Strock & Bergenstal, 2007). Diabetes management in diverse care settings Management of diabetes has not been easy for many despite the availability of effective treatment. No mutual relationship exists between diversity in diabetes management programs, and concept frameworks of medical care. The need to have a concerted plan of action in dealing with diabetes cases is crucial. Ministries of health in all countries need to establish standardized conceptual frameworks aimed at ensuring that diabetes related deaths curbed. Most of the programs in place in most places, lack valuable elements of improving the quality of the disease management (Mazze, Strock & Bergenstal, 2007). Researchers conducted performed have proved that of all the programs put in place, to deal with the disease, only fifteen percent are perfectly effective in terms of both cost and clinical efficiency (Mazze, Strock & Bergenstal, 2007). Differences in cultural and social economic settings in disease management must be noted. Before any attempts can be made on standardization of quality, profound insight may be useful to conceptualize high quality care. Limitations in health care delivery particularly in availing resources and self-management must be addressed to ensure efficiency in management of the disease (Streltzer & Tseng, 2007). Age related disease management concerns Diabetes poses many enduring requirements on the side of patients in terms of "glycemic control" as well as life quality (Mazze, Strock & Bergenstal, 2007). Patients demand constant family attention and help in managing the disease. In the US for instance, diabetes prevalence is almost equally spread in all age groups. Diabetes continues to be an issue of concern as time goes as new cases reported as the population grows. It is an age prevalent disease, and increased risks of infection as people advance in age. However, the aged are faced with greater risks of contracting the disease because of poor and ineffective counseling (Streltzer & Tseng, 2007). Some people who get to learn their health status and, having been affected by the disease do little, as they prefer death compared to embarking on long costly medical procedures (Gadsby & Gadsby, 2009). One point three million cases of diabetes recorded annually where type two diabetes cases amount to ninety-five percent (Gadsby & Gadsby, 2009). Eating trends must be checked to ensure risks of getting down with diabetes minimized. Elderly patients with the ability to comply with diabetes treatment must be accorded exceptional treatment to help monitor on other physiological changes arising (Mazze, Strock & Bergenstal, 2007). Outcomes of diabetes management Diabetes management requires regular evaluation to ensure that mechanisms implemented are effective. Evaluation is necessary to cope up with changing trends in rising costs and technology. Service delivery in the file of health care has obligated organizations to invest in research projects. Researchers have also been keen to identify key physiological issues that may reduce risks of infections in the younger generation (Gadsby & Gadsby, 2009). However, as much as the doctor or medical practitioner may want to help a patient, the greater task towards recovery lies on the patient and his or her family (Mazze, Strock & Bergenstal, 2007). All over the world, health care facilities are doing their best to establish effective health network using outcome estimation tools. Adolescents need more attention and guidance as many tend to feel left out and emotionally detached due to their illnesses (Mazze, Strock & Bergenstal, 2007). Support should come from all angles, beginning from home, to school and the society (Gadsby & Gadsby, 2009). Successful diabetes management and control brings about increased degrees of control in organizations and fosters communal integration. Patients should be encouraged to purchase health policies to avoid causing financial strains, as management of the disease is exceedingly costly (Streltzer & Tseng, 2007). Educational barriers can also be bridged by making sure patients are well informed of their condition, and being made aware of what is expected of them. Cultural beliefs could hinder patients from assessing medical treatment. Some cultures negatively impact on patients’ values and practices making it hard for the patient to follow diabetic care (Mazze, Strock & Bergenstal, 2007). Cultural competence on diabetes management Cultural competence is better defined as the education that enables individuals to appreciate and create awareness regarding diverse cultural differences (Mazze, Strock & Bergenstal, 2007). Patients need to be well versed with proper care procedure on how to keep their sugar levels under control (Streltzer & Tseng, 2007). Medical practitioners must make sure to advice patients of different ethnic groups on diets tailored to meet their cultural expectation if possible. Culture contributes a great deal, on to how patients adhere to prescriptions. Culture should not be an excuse for deaths resulting from diabetes related diseases. Case studies Governments and welfare organizations in countries always purpose to do everything in their power to cultivate healthy trends in citizens. The aged people need more care since they are more prone to age related diseases (Gadsby & Gadsby, 2009). In fact, elderly people from research have proved that they elicit slow responses to treatment with complications (Streltzer & Tseng, 2007). Studies have proven that diabetic people have proved to be three point three times more prone to heart complications than normal people are. If the quality of life must be improved, measures to detect the disease early must be implemented to ensure diabetes curbed in its early stages. The world Health Organization estimates that if effective measures are not taken the number of diabetic cases may rise to three hundred million by the year twenty-twenty five (Gadsby & Gadsby, 2009). References Unger, J. (2007). Diabetes management in primary care. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Charles, M. A. (2000). Diabetes management: Complication risk assessment, diagnosis, and therapeutic options. Larchmont, N.Y: M.A. Liebert. Zazworsky, D., & Bolin, J. N. (2005). Handbook of Diabetes Management. Berlin: Springer. Franz, M. J., & American Association of Diabetes Educators. (2003). A core curriculum for diabetes education. Chicago, Ill: American Association of Diabetes Educators. Mazze, R., Strock, E. S., & Bergenstal, R. M. (2007). Staged Diabetes Management. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons. Streltzer, J., & Tseng, W.-S. (2007). Cultural competence in health care. New York: Springer Gadsby, R., & Gadsby, P. (2009). Vital diabetes management. 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