Diabetes and Drug Treatments

Diabetes and Drug Treatments

An abnormally high blood sugar or glucose levels resulting from a deficiency of insulin secretion or cellular resistance to the action of insulin or both describes diabetes mellitus, which is a metabolic disorder. Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder instigated by impaired insulin secretion that leads to hyperglycemia (Kaufman, 2012). Blurred vision, polydipsia, polyphagia, and polyuria are the symptoms of hyperglycemia. Due to the overlap in age groups and treatments between disease types, terms that were used to characterize the two major types of diabetes are no longer accurate. The age of onset, juvenile or adult, or kind of treatment that is insulin or non-insulin dependent determines the two categories of diabetes. This essay discusses the different categories of diabetes, such as type 1 and 2, juvenile, and gestational diabetes. It will examine the drugs used for treatment and also dietary considerations, and the long and short-term effects on patients diagnosed with diabetes.

Types of Diabetes

Every year in the United States, more than thirteen thousand youths are diagnosed with diabetes; thus, it is one of the most common chronic childhood diseases. A chronic condition in which the pancreas secretes little or no insulin describes type 1 diabetes, which is also known as juvenile diabetes. Hyperglycemia and its linked manifestations are a result of this autoimmune disease, leading to absolute insulin deficiency. According to (James & Zaidi, 2019), the common type of diabetes in children is type 1, which is described by the 4Ts, that is, thinner, toilet, tired, and thirsty. At times, non-specific signs and symptoms lead to a delay or missed diagnosis, which can be disastrous for the child.

Hyperglycemia arises due to a combination of insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes in which people with diabetes can produce insulin. The beta cells do not produce enough insulin to counteract resistance, where the body does not identify the secretion of insulin and relative insulin deficiency (Thrasher, 2017). Type 2 diabetes, which is rapidly increasing in adolescents and is linked with the obesity epidemic, accounts for almost two percent of cases in children.

During pregnancy, gestational diabetes can occur. It affects how the cells use glucose, just like other types of diabetes. Hyperglycemia affects both the baby and the mother in gestational diabetes, and it can be dangerous for the mother and the baby. When glucose is not controlled, it increases the risk of congenital disabilities, stillbirth, and miscarriage. Pregnancy-induced high blood pressure, diabetic ketoacidosis, preeclampsia, and retinopathy are the diabetic complications that are increased for the mother.

Treatment for diabetes and treatment options

The prevalence of type 1 diabetes is increasing annually by three percent and comprises more than ninety-five percent of diagnoses in children and youth below the age of twenty-five years. Historically, there have been more diabetics aged eight to nineteen years of age with type 1 diabetes; also, in this group, type 2 diabetes is emerging, accounting for eight to forty-five percent of new childhood diabetics. There is a possibility of a reduction by five to fourteen years of life expectancy for individuals with type 1 diabetes. According to (World Health Organization, 2017), over 1.6 million people died from diabetes which was the most common cause of death globally in 2015. The correction of glucose or blood sugar levels and fluid and electrolyte imbalances is the immediate objective of treatment in diabetes. Maintaining healthy blood sugar or glucose levels is the long-term goal. Both the child and family require health education on maintaining a healthy lifestyle, insulin administration, and carbohydrate counting. Self-monitoring of blood glucose levels, healthy eating, insulin and medication administration, and daily physical activity should be the primary focus of diabetic education. Carbohydrates with a low glycemic index for optimal glycemic control and general health, plenty of fruits and vegetables are what form a proper diabetic diet.

Diabetics with Type 2 diabetes may need medication to control blood glucose levels, and the most common tablet administered is metformin, but there are a lot of different types. Some medicines, like sulphonylureas, stimulate the pancreas to produce insulin. If the need arises, some other medication may be prescribed to help lose weight. To manage diabetes, a diabetic person and the doctor decide which the best tablet to take. With Type 1 diabetes, a person can stop experiencing severe hypos by getting an islet cell transplant (Otto & Jainta, 2018). Insulin can be prescribed on the basis of bolus dosage or a continuous pump. The use of an insulin pump attains greater flexibility and provides better glycemic control for children. Diabetics with type 1 diabetes require lifelong insulin therapy. Insulin comprises rapid-acting, long-acting, and intermediate options.

Short and long-term implications of type 1 diabetes. Predisposition to infection, vascular disease, nephropathy, and peripheral neuropathy are the complications arising due to diabetes. Hypertension, heart attack, coronary disease, and stroke are heart complications. By injuring the walls of the small vessels, diabetes can cause nerve damage (Kaufman, 2012). Amputations are caused by nerve damage in the lower extremities. Constipation, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting can also be a result of the affected gastrointestinal tract because of nerve damage. Lastly, in males, erectile dysfunction can be caused by neuropathy.

Conclusion

In conclusion, diabetes is a common chronic condition that requires support from an interdisciplinary team of health professionals for appropriate management. Early diagnosis and rapid treatment and care are imperative to prevent medical emergencies and complications. The different types of diabetes can be treated by administration of medications and observation of a healthy lifestyle. Diabetes is not curable for most individuals, and treatment comprises lifestyle adjustments, medicine, and management of diabetes’ several complications.

References

James, S., & Zaidi, R. (2019). Diagnosis and management of type 1 diabetes mellitus. Suicide, 14, 20.

Kaufman, F. R. (2012). Medical management of type 1 diabetes. Alexandria, Va: American Diabetes Assoc.

Otto-Buczkowska, E., & Jainta, N. (2018). Pharmacological Treatment in Diabetes Mellitus Type 1–Insulin and What Else?. International journal of endocrinology and metabolism, 16(1).

Thrasher, J. (2017). Pharmacologic management of type 2 diabetes mellitus: available therapies. The American journal of cardiology, 120(1), S4-S16.

World Health Organization: Top 10 causes of death worldwide. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs310/en/

ORDER A PLAGIARISM-FREE PAPER HERE

We’ll write everything from scratch

Each year, 1.5 million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes (American Diabetes Association, 2019). If left untreated, diabetic patients are at risk for several alterations, including heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, neuropathy, and blindness. There are various methods for treating diabetes, many of which include some form of drug therapy. The type of diabetes, as well as the patient’s behavior factors, will impact treatment recommendations.

Diabetes and Drug Treatments

For this Discussion, you compare types of diabetes, including drug treatments for type 1, type 2, gestational, and juvenile diabetes.

To Prepare:

Review the Resources for this module and reflect on differences between types of diabetes, including type 1, type 2, gestational, and juvenile diabetes.
Select one type of diabetes to focus on for this Discussion.
Consider one type of drug used to treat the type of diabetes you selected, including proper preparation and administration of this drug. Then, reflect on dietary considerations related to treatment.
Think about the short-term and long-term impact of the diabetes you selected on patients, including the effects of drug treatments.
Post a brief explanation of the differences between the types of diabetes, including type 1, type 2, gestational, and juvenile diabetes. Describe one type of drug used to treat the type of diabetes you selected, including proper preparation and administration of this drug. Be sure to include dietary considerations related to treatment. Then, explain the short-term and long-term impact of this type of diabetes on patients, including effects of drug treatments. Be specific and provide examples.