METABOLIC DISORDERS

Metabolic Disorders

Metabolic Disorders

Diabetes

Pettitt, J, Okada, A., Lois, J. and Guozhong, I. (2005) Decreasing the Risk of Diabetic Retinopathy in a Study of Case Management: The California Medi-Cal Type 2 Diabetes Study. Diabetes Care28. 12, 22-2819.

Diabetes is the commonest disease that poses great threat to the people. It is estimated that more than 50 percent of individuals, who are diagnosed with diabetes, die due to lack of information about the disease or improper treatment schedules in South-East Asia. In fact, diabetes has had a negative impact on the health of millions of people and is continuing to deteriorate the life style of the sufferers (Pettitt, Okada, Lois and Guozhong, 2005). In this paper the subject of diabetes will be discussed in relation to Jenna Riley a 14 year-old girl who is overweight and spends much of her time sedentary which faces difficulty to eat healthy foods. She lives her brother and mother; and looks after her younger brother when mother is out for work. The role of nurse is to make Jenna educate and teach nad also avoid her from having the diabetes.

Diabetes can be broken down into two types that share three common signs: frequent urination, excessive thirst, and extreme hunger (Pettitt, Okada, Lois and Guozhong, 2005). Other signs found in both type one and type two diabetes is fatigue, blurred vision, and increased frequency of infections. The two types of diabetes differ in that type one, also known as juvenile diabetes, it has a rapid onset, and although it is usually found in people before the age of 30, it typically appears during childhood or adolescence. Type two diabetes also known as adult-onset diabetes, has a gradual onset it can develop at any age, and is often preventable. At the age of 14, being overweight, leading a sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy eating habits puts Jenna at a high risk for developing type two diabetes.

Diabetes affects many systems of the body. As diabetes progresses it causes major heart complications like coronary artery disease and cerebral vascular disease (Pettitt, Okada, Lois and Guozhong, 2005). Micro vascular blood vessels are affected causing painful nerve damage, kidney disease, vision loss, non-healing wounds, and death of the limbs by cutting the circulation to the legs. Nerve damage like neuropathy occur causing tingling sensation and numbness of the fingers and toes. Diabetic retinopathies affecting the retina of the eyes leading to blurry vision can occur at a later stage of the disease. Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness (Pettitt, Okada, Lois and Guozhong, 2005). Other problems are autonomic causing indigestion, bowel and bladder function problems, perspiration, which can lead to hypoglycemic unawareness.

With all of the risk factors that Jenna has, teaching is a priority to prevent her from becoming a diabetic. Because of her age, the family needs to be included in the teaching and can be a consistent support system for Jenna. Type two diabetes should be explained to them including what the disease is, the signs and symptoms, and the severity if ...