TYPE 2 DIABETES

Managing Type 2 Diabetes using Sliding Scale Insulin

Managing Type 2 Diabetes using Sliding Scale Insulin

Introduction

Diabetes is a serious medical condition affecting almost 2.6 million people of United Kingdom (UK) alone. Out of the 2 million people affected in the UK, about 90 percent of these people suffer from diabetes of type 2. This type of diabetes generally affects people after the age of 40 years; however, it may develop at any age. Furthermore, this medical condition is more likely to occur in people of South Asia, as well as, African-Caribbean people. In these people, diabetes tends to occur earlier in the age, developing as early as at the age of 25 years. Recent trends observe that type 2 diabetes is becoming much more common, particularly in children. This may also be due to the rising prevalence of obesity seen all around the globe. Type 2 diabetes is a pathological condition in which the body is unable to produce sufficient insulin, or if it fails to respond to the circulating insulin. Insulin is an essential hormone whose key role is to maintain the blood glucose levels (Bupa 2013).

The diabetic patients in my surgical ward are often difficult to manage, while they wait for surgery. Before the surgery, all patients are kept nil per oral (NPO) from midnight. This may significantly affect the blood glucose level, and can result in development of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). For this purpose, sliding scale insulin infusion is the management regimen most widely accepted. However, there is not enough subject matter for thorough understanding of concept. Thus, my paper aims to study the protocols and impacts of managing patients of type 2 diabetes in my ward, while they wait for surgery (Rymaszewski & Breakwell, 2013, pp. 214-218).

Discussion

Type 2 diabetes is a pathological condition with rising prevalence. The signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes are not very clear. Many of the sufferers do not develop any obvious symptoms, which results in several patients to remain undiagnosed for longer periods. It is frequently discovered during the routine medical check-up with the family physicians. Type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease, with symptoms if present, to occur over the course of several years. In cases, where symptoms do exist, they includes of polyuria, polydipsia, unexplained weight loss, extreme fatigue, blurring of vision, rash around the genitals or frequent infection, like thrush, and slow wound healing (Diabetes UK 2013).

Complications of type 2 Diabetes

If diabetes is left untreated, it may result in a variety of health issues. The hyperglycaemia, associated with diabetes, generally results in extensive damage to the blood vessels, nerves, as well as, some vital organs. Even the mildest hyperglycaemia can result in serious long term side effects, without the presence of any symptoms.

Stroke and Heart diseases

In diabetes type 2, the risk of developing heart diseases and stroke increases five times. If the blood glucose levels are poorly controlled for prolong periods, the likelihood of developing atherosclerosis ...