Two Primary Forms of Diabetes - Research Paper Example

? Chronic diabetes Diabetes is known to be a serious disease. It occurs when the human body stops making enough insulin or is not in a condition to use the insulin made by it naturally. Insulin is the hormone that controls the level of sugar known as glucose in the human blood. A high degree of blood sugar can lead to problems in different organs of the individual (National Kidney Foundation, 2007, p.4). It is a form of a chronic disease arising from the absolute or relative reduction in the insulin level of a person. It became possible to treat all forms of diabetes since the development of insulin in the year 1921, and the common form i.e. Type 2 diabetes was found to be controlled by providing medications. Both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are chronic conditions which are not possible to be cured completely. It is characterized by disruptions in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fat and protein in the body (Bilotta, 2008, p.236). There are two primary forms of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 diabetes - If a person has Type 1 diabetes his body will not make insulin on its own. It occurs in any individual and is treated by taking dosage of insulin shots daily or by an insulin pump. The patients need to maintain a regulated diet plan. Type 2 diabetes – This is the commonest form of diabetes. If a patient suffers from Type 2 diabetes, his body will show resistance to insulin. Type 2 diabetes is semi curable in nature. It is often hereditary in nature and occurs mainly in people who are above 40. Type 2 diabetes can be treated with proper exercise and weight (National Kidney Foundation, 2007, p.4). Physical inactivity or a sedentary lifestyle can also lead to Type 2 diabetes (STEWART, 2005, p.196). Pathophysiology and assessment of the disease Diabetes mellitus (DM) or simply diabetes results from either insulin deficiency or the resistance to endogenous insulin. This deficiency in insulin compromises with the access of the body tissues to essential nutrients (Bilotta, 2008, p. 236). All forms of the disease increases the risk that can lead to long-term complications. These symptoms typically show after several years like almost after 10 to 20 years but it can be seen as the first form of the symptom in the patient who was otherwise not diagnosed before. The common symptoms of diabetes are polyuria, polyphagia, weight loss, fatigue etc. The complications that can arise out of these symptoms include cardio vascular diseases, blindness or retinopathy, nephropathy, cognitive depression, hyperglycemia etc. While assessing the symptoms for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, the physicians can check for symptoms like frequent urination, dehydration, dry mucous membrane, rapid weight loss and increased hunger, nocturnal diarrhea and many more. For Type 1, the symptoms can be develop rapidly while for Type 2, it can be drawn by studying the family history, severe forms of viral infection etc. The physical symptoms seen in case of the diabetic patients can be in the form of changes seen in the legs and feet, muscle wasting, reduced reflexes in the deep tendons of the bones, cataract formation etc (Bilotta, 2008, p.237). Chronic Diabetes harming the kidneys in human body Diabetes can cause severe damage to the kidneys by damaging the blood vessels of the kidney. The filtering sections in the kidney are lined with minute blood vessels. With the passage of time, high sugar level found in the patient’s blood can make the blood vessels to turn narrow and thus clogged. Without getting enough blood, the kidneys tend to be damaged and albumin which is a protein made within the human body are passed through these filters which settle in the urine. This is a critical situation as this occurrence of albumin in the urine of the patient is not a very healthy condition (National Kidney Foundation, 2007, p.7). Kidney damage can also harm the nerves in the patient’s body. Nerves of the human body carry messages that are transmitted between the brain and the rest other parts of the body that also includes the urinary bladder. These motor signals help the brain in understanding when the bladder is full and develops the urge. But in cases where these motor nerves of the urinary bladder are damaged, the patient is unable to understand when his bladder might be filled. This creates a pressure on the walls of the urinary bladder which can eventually damage the patient’s kidneys (National Kidney Foundation, 2007, p.7). The most critical damage that is caused by diabetes occurs in the urinary tract of the patient. If the urine remains in the bladder for a very long time, the patient develops the risk of urinary tract infection. This is caused by the bacteria that are present in the urinary tract. Bacteria are the minute organisms which can cause the disease. They have the ability to develop very fast in the urine containing high levels of sugar. This infection harms the urinary bladder, but in most of the cases, can proceed towards the kidneys of the patient also (National Kidney Foundation, 2007, p.7). Treatment No complete treatment has been found that can cure diabetes completely. Knowledge about diabetes and its symptoms by the consulting physician and his patient can prove to be a good measure for a successful treatment. Insulin treatments have helped in many ways to reduce the effects of increased blood sugar levels in these patients. This treatment has contributed more than any other treatment so far. Treatment for diabetes begins with the knowledge of the diet that is consumed by the patients, the patients are explained to be cautious about two things in particular. These are coma and gangrene. The patient needs to be explained that he would be able to avoid dangers of coma if the blood sugar level is maintained regularly. He should also be explained to inform his consulting doctor in case of any indisposition. They are also advised to avoid gangrene (JOSLIN, 1924, p.810). Special hygiene of the patient’s feet needs to be maintained. He must wash his feet properly with soap and water daily. The patient must wear shoes which should be larger, broader and easy to wear to avoid any form of rubbing or binding (JOSLIN, 1924, p.811). Insignificant or any form of minor injuries in these diabetic patients can result in serious complications. They should avoid the strong antiseptics and other lotions that are irritating. Some of these substances can be in the form of sulpho-naphthol and iodine. Getting a proper first-aid care is the most important feature in such situations and the physician should be consulted immediately (JOSLIN, 1924, p.811). The patient needs to be careful while treating the corns and callosities that can develop on the feet. He must wear shoes that would not pressurize his feet. The patient needs to be careful about nails and the torn linings found in the old shoes and should wear fresh shoes in the evening if at all in the first instance. It can be recommended to the patient to maintain two pairs of fresh shoes which would be slightly different from one another and should be advised to wear the shoes on every successive day. The patient should be advised to soak his foot in warm water, lather it with soap, then dry and rub the corn with gauze, or then file off the dead skin. Other than this, the corn can be smeared with a mixture of salicylic acid, drachm collodion each of 1 ounce. This is to be repeated for four consecutive nights by soaking in partially warm water after which corn would come off easily. The patient must be strictly warned not to cut the corns or the callosities. He can also wear rear pad if required to distribute the pressure (JOSLIN, 1924, p.811). Nursing considerations Proper nursing attention must be paid while handling the diabetic patients. They need to treat all patients equally and remain away from prejudices (Lewis, et. al, 2008, p.32). They need to monitor that the patients maintain their suggested body weights. They need to administer I.V. fluids and insulin replacement in cases of crisis and see that the patients remain free from any sort of infection etc (Bilotta, 2008, p. 237). The patient must be taught to monitor his blood glucose levels on his own. Before discharging the patient from the hospital, he can be referred to a dietician, ophthalmologists etc for further treatments if necessary (Bilotta, 2008, p. 237). Conclusion Increase in the blood sugar levels can lead to many complications and one such disease is diabetes. Both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are not good for a normal person as apart from affecting the kidneys these can affect other body parts too. There are many side effects that can be seen because of this. The most common symptom seen in these patients is frequent urination and delayed healing of the wounds. The patient needs to keep a watch on his diet, exercise properly and keep away from infections. He must lay proper attention in maintaining the hygiene of his feet also. Lastly, care and treatment from the physicians and the nurses can help the patients overcome this problem.References Bilotta, K. (2008). Nurse's Quick Check: Diseases. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins ELLIOTT, P. J. (1924). The Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus, The Canadian Medical Association Journal, 14(9), pp. 808–811. Lewis, S. et. al. (2008). Medical-Surgical Nursing - Single-Volume Text and Simulation Learning System Package: Assessment and Management of Clinical Problems, Mosby Stewart, K. J. (2005). Physical Activity and Aging, Retrieved from: http://sriechman.tamu.edu/649/aging/aging%20exercise%203.pdf (accessed on September 3, 2012) National Kidney Foundation, (2007) Retrieved from: http://www.kidney.org/atoz/pdf/diabetes.pdf (accessed on September 3, 2012) Read More