HealthCare

HealthCare

HealthCare

This is a health care support of Mr. Charles D., a 45-year old male who is experiencing classic symptoms of hyperglycemia. Recently divorced and living alone in a new home, Charles has complained of recent weight loss, excessive thirst, and frequent urination. He is a busy CEO for a major technological company. This case study for Charles will educate him as to what are the causes of diabetes: explain the presenting signs and symptoms emphasize the psycho-social impact to his amended life, and instruct him in the economic impact that he and millions share.

Vitally important for Charles is education and giving him the tools to successfully manage his disease. Charles will verbalize an understanding of all aspects of the disease and the psychosocial impact to his life, family, and business. These issues will be addressed in the text of this case study.

According the Center of Disease Control and prevention, (CDC) from 1980 to 2005, the crude incidence of diagnosed diabetes increased 124% from 3.3 per 1000 to 7.4 per 1000. The prevalence of Diagnosed and Undiagnosed Diabetes in the United States of all Ages in 2007 reported by the National Diabetes Statistics were startling. A total of 23.6 million people who equal 7.8 % of the population have diabetes. The estimated cost in the United States in 2007 was 174 billion dollars. This dollar amount includes the direct and indirect cost 17.9 million people diagnosed and 5.7 million people undiagnosed.

The condition of diabetes ensues when “The pancreas stops making insulin, due to aviral attack on pancreas cells because an autoimmune response makes the body attack the insulinproducing cells. The body desperately looks for an energy source because the cells are notgetting glucose. It starts to break down muscle tissue and fat for energy. Type 2 happensgradually with increasing insulin resistance so weight loss is not as noticeable. (Manzela, 2007).

Classic symptoms of diabetes usually presented with newly diagnosed diabetics are:hyperglycemia, polyuria, polydipsia, polyphagia, fatique, blurred vision, headaches, andunexplained weight loss. Ketone bodies are found in the urine, this abnormal finding occurswhen fatty acid by-products (acetones) are excreted in the urine. The ketones are presentfrom a lack of the insulin hormone used to metabolize fats and carbohydrates. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life-threatening complication which results from minimal useful insulin hormone in the body, hypoglycemia, or insufficient food intake (American DiabetesAssociation, 2008).

Long-term effects of diabetes can cause many serious complications: heart disease,stroke, blindness, amputations, kidney disease and nerve damage. These complications areusually progressive and develop over time due to poor control of blood glucose levels. Highblood glucose levels cause a narrowing of all the vessels, blockage, and high blood pressure.

This narrowing leads to poor perfusion of the body and the serious complications affecting theblood vessels of the heart (coronary heart disease), the extremities (peripheral vascular disease),the eyes (retinopathy), the nerves (neuropathy), and the kidneys (nephropathy). Poor circulationand perfusion results in atherosclerotic build up, blocking the vessels to the brain or heartcausing a stroke or myocardial ...