Diabetes has become a common health complications which is associated with genetics and environmental factors. The common types include Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Juvenile and Gestational diabetes are also present, but not as common as type 2 diabetes. In all cases of diabetes, the insulin production, is the main problem. In Type 1, the damaged pancreas is unable to produce insulin, while small amount is produced in Type 2 diabetes. Hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia are common conditions depending on the blood sugar levels. The discussion focuses on the types of diabetes, treatment, and impact of diabetes.
Different Types of Diabetes
Type 1 Diabetes
The type 1 diabetes could be caused by faulty beta cells in the pancreas or antibodies that attack and damage the pancreas (Wysham, Bhargava, & Chaykin, 2017). As a result, the pancreas is unable to produce insulin, a condition that hampers blood sugar regulation (Arcangelo, Peterson, Wilbur, & Reinhold, 2017). The hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia conditions increase healthy complications that include excessive weight gain, blurred vision, frequent urination, heart disease, and stroke. The treatment is normally through insulin injection (American Diabetes Association, 2018). One of the main similarities of all the diabetes types is that physical exercises, proper balanced diet, and regular medical checkups are necessary.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
Type 2 Diabetes
Unlike in Type 1 diabetes where the pancreas is unable to produce insulin hormone, in Type 2 diabetes, small amounts of insulin are produced. However, insulin resistance is common, particularly in the liver, fat, and muscle cells. The resistance/insensitivity to insulin overworks the pancreas, leading to more production of insulin. Since the level of insulin is low, people with type 2 diabetes are unable to regulate the blood sugar (Arcangelo et al., 2017). A1C is an important blood test that determines the blood sugar for the past 3 months (American Diabetes Association, 2018). It helps to plan for the regulation of blood sugar using physical exercises, nutrition, and weight management. Since there is no cure for type 2 diabetes, proper management plan using preventive and medical interventions are vital.
Gestational Diabetes
Unlike the Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes occurs during and resolves itself after pregnancy (Eng, Kramer, Zinman, & Retnakaran, 2014). Normally, during pregnancy, glucose is circulated via the placenta to the growing fetus. High sugar levels will have a negative implication on the growth and development of the fetus, who will have abnormal increased weight gain, breathing problems, and be at a higher risk for obesity later in life. The gestational diabetes also increases the mother’s risk to type 2 diabetes. It is estimated that up to 10% of the mothers who experienced the gestational diabetes will later in life develop type 2 diabetes (Eng et al., 2010). Therefore, preventive measures are imperative. Physical exercises and proper balanced diet are vital in minimizing the risk for type 2 diabetes after the gestational diabetes is resolved. If needed, the pregnant mother might be required to take insulin to compensate for the low insulin production in the body. This will play an imperative role of controlling the blood level in the blood lowering their risk to the mother and the baby.
Juvenile Diabetes
Initially called insulin-dependent diabetes, this type of diabetes affects children who are unable to produce the insulin hormone. As a result, the regulation of blood sugar levels is hampered putting children at risk of hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia. Unexpected weight gain, fatigue, blurred vision, thirst, and frequent urination are some of the major signs and symptoms of juvenile diabetes. The high sugar level in the blood draws fluids from tissues causing excessive thirst, blurred vision, and high fluid intake. Low blood sugar on the other hand causes the child to appear fatigued and lethargic. The main causes include genetics and environmental factors. The disease can run in a family, hence the need to take family history of juvenile diabetes serious. Environmental factors that include taking cow milk or a child being introduced to cereals to early could increase risk for juvenile diabetes. As the child grows, it is imperative to encourage physical exercises, healthy eating, and regular diabetes checkups.
Type 2 Diabetes Drug, Preparation and Administration, and Dietary Considerations
For the treatment of Type 2 diabetes, the Metformin HCL (Metformin) drug is commonly used. The drug has been approved by the Foods and Drugs Administration (FDA). The preparation and administration should be in accordance with physicians directions. Normally, the doses should be taken with meals. Prior to starting the Metformin dose, the physician might require that the patient stop using any other drug they were taking before (Cefalu, Stenlöf & Leiter, 2015). For 500 mg dosage, he physician will ask the patient to take twice in a day after the meals. For 850 mg dosage, the patient is required to take once in a week. Complications/side effects include stomach upset, diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea. It is vital for the patient to contact the physician should such effects persist. Balanced diet is normally recommended for people with diabetes. Complex carbohydrates, fruits, and vegetables should be consumed in accordance with the physician’s advice to regulate the blood sugar (Cefalu, Stenlöf & Leiter, 2015). Patient should avoid foods high in sugars because they can lead to more complications and hamper the positive effects of the drug.
Impact of This Diabetes on Patients and Effects of Drugs Treatments
The short-term impact of diabetes include frequent thirst and urination, fatigue, blurred vision, and weight gain (Cefalu, Stenlöf & Leiter, 2015). As aforementioned, these effects are as a result of the insulin’s failure to regulate the blood sugar levels, culminating into either hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia. If the intervention is not sought immediately, the severe long-term impact might include heart diseases and stroke. Obesity, which is a common condition in the United States, is also a long-term risk. The long-term effects can increase the risks of death. As indicated before, stomach complications, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are some of the negative effects associated with the use of certain drugs such as metformin. In case of any complication, patients should be advised to contact the physician for help.
Summary
Any type of diabetes will require proper management in accordance with the physician’s advice. A balanced diet, regular exercises, and medication are vital for the management of diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is the most common and it does not have cure yet. However, adherence to doctor’s advice will help to improve the quality of life of the patient. The complications associated with drugs such as metformin include diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea. Frequent checkup will help to alleviate any problems associated with the use of drugs.
References
American Diabetes Association. (2018). 8. Pharmacologic approaches to glycemic treatment: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetesd2018. Diabetes Care 2018; 41(Suppl. 1):S73–S85
Arcangelo, V. P., Peterson, A. M., Wilbur, V., & Reinhold, J. A. (Eds.). (2017). Pharmacotherapeutics for advanced practice : A practical approach (4th Ed.). Ambler, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Cefalu, W., Stenlöf, K., Leiter, L., et al. (2015). Effects of canagliflozin on body weight and relationship to HbA1C and blood pressure changes in patients with type 2 diabetes. Diabetologia , 58, 1183–1187. Doi: 10.1007/s00125-015-3547-2.
Eng, C., Kramer, C. K., Zinman, B., & Retnakaran, R. (2014). Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist and basal insulin combination treatment for the management of type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet 2014; 384: 2228–2234
WyshamC, Bhargava, A., Chaykin L, et al. (2017). Effect of insulin degludec vs insulin glargine U100 on hypoglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes: the SWITCH 2 Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA 2017; 318:45–56
