DIABETES MANAGEMENT

Literature review on Diabetes Management

Literature Review

It is well known that many of the culturally diverse group of people in Australia possesses a high rate of prevalence of diabetes as compared to the Australian born people. It is considered that the degree of difference in diabetes occurrence and risk by place of birth are because of a blend of biological, environmental, genetic and biological risk factors. In a study on overseas born Australians reported that that a great majority of the overseas born than the Australian born people report having diabetes (Holdenson et al. 2003) The parts of the world with the highest rate of occurrence of diabetes and diabetes related hospitalization were the South Europe, South Pacific Islands, Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Southern Asia, North Africa and the Middle East (Peyrot, 1994).

Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by the appearance of high levels of blood sugar (glucose), and is a consequence of the defect production or activity of hormones of the pancreas, which is called insulin (Davidson, 1998). The adjective "sugar" came as a result of determining the nature of sweet urine in this disease in ancient times. Since the main by providing glucose for its excessive accumulation in the blood (hyperglycemia) is the urinary system, such surprising flavors change it in the urine.

Diabetes mellitus is a disorder of glucose metabolism in which abnormally high levels of blood glucose result from defects in insulin production, insulin action, or both. Complications of diabetes can lead to serious consequences that are costly to manage and ultimately lead to premature death. Fortunately, there are steps that can be taken in order to control the disease and lower the risks of complications (WHO, 2004). There are two distinct types of diabetes mellitus:

i.insulin dependent more widely recognized as Type 1, and

ii.Non-insulin-dependent diabetes typically referred to as Type 2 diabetes. (Wright, 2000).

Type I diabetes

Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus is also known as Type I diabetes, which is mostly occurred before the age of 40 years. The disease is quite difficult and in all cases requires treatment with insulin. The reason is the production of antibodies that destroy the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. Type I diabetes is a lifelong disease and requires constant input of insulin in the body with a syringe or other device designed for this purpose. Taking insulin pills is impossible due to the fact that it is destroyed in the gastrointestinal tract (Holdenson et al, 2003). Insulin must be injected simultaneously with the meal. The patient requires a strict diet, which excludes from the rapidly digested carbohydrates such as sugar, sweets, fruit juice, and sugary soft drinks.

Type II diabetes

Non-Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, also known as Type II diabetes occurs after 40 years of age, frequently against the obesity. The reason is in overweight cells overloaded with nutrients and lost sensitivity to insulin. Treatment and the dose may be prescribed only highly skilled doctor (Ruggiero et al, 1997). Initially, the treatment of type II diabetes is assigned diet and then the ...