Diabetes Type 2 Treatment - Essay Example

? Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 INTRODUCTION: Diabetes is not a single disease it is a multifactorial group of syndromes all characterized by an increase in the level of blood glucose that occurs due to lack of presence of insulin. Mainly, the less release of insulin leads to excess deposition of glycogen which is a peptide hormone synthesized by the pancreas and plays a role in raising the level of glucose in blood. (Mycek, 2007). Diabetes is usually divided into two types, insulin dependent diabetes mellitus also known as type 1 diabetes mellitus and non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus also known as type 2 diabetes mellitus or Adult onset diabetes. (Boylan, 2007) Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes accounting 85-90% of all people with diabetes. It is a condition in which the body fails to produce cells that are responsible for producing insulin leading to a condition known as insulin resistance. (Hopkins, 2010). Insulin is a hormone which is produced by the pancreas in our body and is mainly responsible for regulating the conversion of sugar into energy as the body fails to metabolize glucose in a proper way. Due to insulin resistance or failure of body cells to use insulin, glucose deposits in the blood instead of going into cells which mostly leads to many complications. (Mycek, 2007). SYMPTOMS: It is indicated that type 2 diabetes occurs due to a combination of environmental and genetic factors .Some of the symptoms of diabetes mellitus 2 include increased feeling of thirst and frequent urination, the urge to eat more, darkened patches of skin, and delayed healing of wounds and skin scratches, blurred vision accompanied by fatigue and an observable loss in weight (Hans, 2007). PREVALENCE OF TYPE 2 DIABETES IN AUSTRALIA: Studies have shown that statistics of diabetes mellitus type 2 doubled in Australia in the last two decades 16 % to 20 % of people suffering from diabetes mellitus type 2 have shown to exhibit lesser abnormalities related to tolerance of glucose level. . (Dowse GK, Gareebo H & Zimmet PZ 2009). Moreover a large population residing in Australia is unaware of the fact that they have diabetes mellitus type 2 and also 55 % of the population of Australia suffering from diabetes mellitus type 2 exhibit obesity, an increase in blood pressure making them hypertensive and large population also have a family history of diabetes. Researches and data gathered have shown reduction in prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus by following proper dietary plans. (Shaw, 2003). PREVALENCE OF TYPE 2 DIABETES IN UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: According to various studies conducted during the year 2010 on prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus in the United States of America, it was reported that about 25.8 million citizens of U.S have diabetes mellitus type 2 out of which 10.8 million populations comprises of women older than 20 years, 13 million populations comprised of men who were older than 20 years, 10.9 percent population suffering from type 2 diabetes was the older age group ranging between ages of 60 years to 70 years. Type 2 diabetes was ranked as the fifth most serious cause of disease leading to death of people in the United States of America during the year 2010 by the American Diabetes Association. (Hopkins, 2010) PREVALENCE OF TYPE 2 DIABETES IN A DEVELOPING ASIAN COUNTRY: Prevalence of diabetes mellitus type 2 is increasing at an alarming rate in India and is one of the major health issues over there. Type 2 diabetes mellitus has been reported to affect a great number of the population in India in last some years. According to several researches carried out globally and at national level it was reported that approximately 61.3 million people in India had diabetes in the year 2011 and it is feared that this figure might reach to 101.2 million by the year 2030. (Avasthi, 2005) ROLE OF HEALTH PROFESSIONALS IN AUSTRALIA FOR TREATMENT OF DIABETES MELLITUS TYPE 2: DIAGNOSIS: In order to confirm that a specific person has been affected by diabetes mellitus type 2 or not he or she is screened for history of polyuria, polydipsia as well as skin infections. The investigations made include are obese, positive family history, dyslipidemia and hypertension Endocrinologists that are trained in diabetes, can come up with a proper diagnosis as they are trained to do so. The laboratory is fasting glucose tests are carried out and if the level of fasting glucose happens to range between 5.5 and 7.7mmol/L, it indicates presence of glucose tolerance. Furthermore if the blood glucose level concentration comes out to be greater than 11.mmol/L, it confirms that a person is diabetic. ((Dowse GK, Gareebo H & Zimmet PZ 2009). INITIAL MANAGEMENT: After initial diagnosis, diabetic patients are educated and advised to bring a change in their lifestyles by adapting certain healthy habits and incorporating intake of food composed mainly of fiber in their everyday routine. Healthy diet composed of fibrous food helps in controlling the long term complications that occur due to diabetes so controlling carbohydrates can slow down the harmful effects of diabetes that affects the body. (Eldeman, 2011) Patients suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus are asked to indulge themselves in physical activity and are encouraged to do brisk walks as it helps in reduction of blood glucose level. Vitamins are prescribed as they help in regulation of blood glucose levels and person is asked to indulge himself in activities that make him happy as stress reduction tends in lowering of blood glucose level. Even after following all these guidelines if body somehow fails to control blood glucose levels than the person is prescribed medication which helps in lowering blood glucose level and thus helps a diabetic person to live a healthy life. (Henry, 2011) Oral hypoglycemic drugs are prescribed to patients who have non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus and cannot be managed by diet alone .Some of oral hypoglycemic drugs include sulfonylureas which stimulates release of insulin hormone from the pancreas and brings a reduction in levels of serum glucagon .However it should not be administered to a patient who has a hepatic or renal insufficiency. (Avasthi, 2005) Another hypoglycemic drug used widely in Australia to control blood glucose level is Biguanides which acts as anti-diabetic agent by inhibiting the process of gluconeogenesis and also helps in reduction of hyperlipidemia. (Codario, 2011). It is available in the form of tablets and is can also be given along with sulfonylureas. Like sulfonylureas, biguanides are also contraindicated in a diabetic patient who has renal or hepatic insufficiency. (Chisholm 2003). Associations that are working to lessen the prevalence of diabetes mellitus type 2 has introduced certified diabetes healthcare professionals , who holds a degree on diabetic education and are employed to guide patients and encouraging them to adopt a new healthy lifestyle , following up with them and recording progress in their health. (Hopkins, 2010) ROLE OF ENDOCRINOLOGISTS, NURSES, AND NUTRIONISTS IN MANAGEMENT OF DIABETES MELLITUS TYPE 2: Often nutritionists and diabetes clinician provide their patients with a food chart that has details of food that they can eat and foods that they cannot have which helps them to fight against diabetes in a more healthy way. Endocrinologists are encouraged to diagnose the progress or deterioration of a diabetic patient and to propose a plan as required. Nurses that work along with diabetes clinicians also play their part by keeping a check on proper intake of medicine by patient and proper follow up of nutrition chart provided by the respective endocrinologist or diabetes clinicians Sometimes nurses are also supposed to administer insulin to the diabetes patient who shows no or little progress in his condition even after intake of oral hypoglycemic drugs accompanied by changes in lifestyle as prescribed by the nutritionist and diabetes clinician. (Harvey, 2007) CONCLUSION Based upon various studies and researches I come to a conclusion that the incidence of diabetes mellitus type 2 is increasing in Australia and has shown a large increase in the graph specifically for the last twenty years aggravated by the life styles adopted by today’s generation that provide less physical activity and consumption of junk food slowly makes conditions favorable for diabetes to occur. However efforts have been made by Australian Health Professionals, Dietitians and Doctors lessen the prevalence of diabetes as numerous researches have been carried out and attempts are being made to lessen the prevalence of diabetes by organizing programs that make community awareness about risk factors and symptoms that can lead to diabetes. Moreover hospitals and health centers encourage diabetic patients to adopt certain habits which can help them greatly to live a normal healthy life. Efforts made by professionals are worth appreciating however still there is a need to make the public more about outcomes of diabetes and how to prevent it as a major number of the population still unaware about the consequences of diabetes. REFERENCES Edelman, S. And Henry, R. (2011). Diagnosis and Management of Type 2 Diabetes. Virginia: Professional Communications. Hans, R. (2007). Type 2 Diabetes in Adults of All Ages. London: Class Publishing Ltd. Grover S, Avasthi S, Bhansali A, Chakrabarthi S, Kulhara P. Cost of ambulatory care of diabetes mellitus: A study from India. Postgrad MED J. 2005; 81:391–5.  Hopkins Guide to Diabetes: For Today & Tomorrow, Published on August 30, 2008 by R. L. Orozco. Codario, R. (2011). Type Two Diabetes, Pre-diabetes, and the Metabolic Syndrome. New York: Springer. Levene, S. And Donnelly, R. (2011). Management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Practical Guide. New Jersey: Elsevier Health Sciences. Spencer, R. And Hughes, E. (2005). A Simple Guide to Type 2 Diabetes. Oxfordshire: CSF Medical Communications. Dunstan D, Zimmet P, Welborn T et al. 2001. Diabesity and associated disorders in Australia 2000. The accelerating epidemic. Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle Study. (AusDiab). Melbourne: International Diabetes Institute. Jonathan E Shaw and Donald J Chisholm Med J Aust 2003; 179 (7): 379-383. Read More