Diabetes is a condition that alters the consumption and utilization of food in the human body. Once food is consumed, the body, through its own mechanisms converts it into sugar/glucose. The glucose is responsible for the body energy. For there to be energy, the human body needs insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas and which is responsible for the transportation of the resulting glucose into the human cells to enhance the production of energy (Coppola et al., 2016). When the body fails to produce the required amount of insulin, or fails to use the available one, then the individual is said to have diabetes.
Based on the presence or absence of insulin in the body, there are two types of diabetes. Namely, diabetes type 1 and 2. When the body fails produce insulin, the individual is said to have diabetes type 1 and it is common on people with less than thirty years. On the other hand, diabetes type 2 refers to a situation where the human body has insulin but the cells fail to use it. It is common among people over 40years (Clokey & Moore, 2018). Currently, the specific cause of these conditions has not been established but it is more likely to be passed down the family tree.
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How to Establish that One has Diabetes
The healthcare practitioner will diagnose the condition based on the presence of symptoms like; frequent urination, increased thirst levels, blurred vision, and general body weakness. The healthcare practitioner will further do tests like urinalysis to identify the level of glucose in urine.
Treatment of Diabetes
The condition can be managed by lifestyle changes and medications. Some of the lifestyle changes target diet changes to normalize the blood sugar, failure to which the patient develops kidney problems and even blindness. The medications vary depending on the type of diabetes. For diabetes type 1, the patient needs insulin injections to control the blood sugar levels. The healthcare provider may recommend a record of the changes in the blood sugar levels on a daily basis to establish too high or low blood sugar levels. If need arises, the sugar-meter will be utilized during the monitoring and management of the condition.
Possible Complications
Diabetic conditions can result in passing out. Besides, the adverse signs to keep track of are dizziness, nervousness, increased weakness and being overly shaky (Chrvala et al., 2016). Other signs include difficulty in speaking, heightened hunger, profuse sweating, sleepiness and feeling confused.
Foods that can be Helpful
In case the signs manifest themselves at home or other places other than the hospital, it is crucial to take the following foods: half a cup of fruit juice or soft drink, a cup of milk, candy, and a teaspoon of sugar (Laursen et al., 2017). If honey is available, it can also be used in place of sugar.
How to keep Diabetes in Check
Diet changes are necessary in the management of this condition. It is prudent to seek the help of a nutritionist to plan meals with less sugar, fat, cholesterol and salt. Besides, the diet should be alcohol and smoking free, though regular exercises are also crucial.
How to Prevent health Problems
Poor management of the condition can lead to health issues like damaged heart, kidneys, eyesight and even erectile dysfunction. Therefore, it is crucial to observe the following: follow instructions when taking medications, regular eye check-ups, proper teeth care, regular blood pressure and weight check, and close monitoring of cholesterol. These are the areas that are likely to be affected by the condition. Equally, when taking medication, it is crucial to watch out for adverse side-effects and manage them appropriately (Orr, 2019). In cases of adverse side effects, one should contact the healthcare practitioners.
References
Coppola, A., Sasso, L., Bagnasco, A., Giustina, A., & Gazzaruso, C. (2016). The role of patient education in the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes: an overview. Endocrine , 53(1), 18-27.
Clokey, D., & Moore, L. E. (2018). Patient education. In Diabetes in Pregnancy (pp. 69-80). Springer, Cham.
Laursen, D. H., Frølich, A., & Christensen, U. (2017). Patients’ perception of disease and experience with type 2 diabetes patient education in D enmark. Scandinavian journal of caring sciences, 31( 4), 1039-1047.
Chrvala, C. A., Sherr, D., & Lipman, R. D. (2016). Diabetes self-management education for adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review of the effect on glycemic control. Patient education and counseling, 99(6), 926-943.
Orr, C. (2019). Ketogenic diet patient education for patients with diabetes Mellitus II. Lynchburg Journal of Medical Science, 2(2), 24.
