PART II DIABETES- MANAGEMENT

[Yakab]

            For those of you who read my previous post on diabetes, this is a continuation. My purpose is to educate people on how to manage and prevent diabetes complications.
   People should be aware of the different types of diabetes such as Diabetic insipidus, gestational diabetic, diabetes mellitus, and us.
   Diabetic insipidus-- is a disease of high urine out-put, possibly caused by pituitary hormone, anti-diuretic hormone (ADH), also called vasopressin. Lack of ADH allows filtered water to be excreted in the urine instead of being reabsorbed. It causes excessive urination and excessive thirst. In severe cases, fatigue occurs due to sleep interrupted by the need to void or drink fluid.

   Diabetes Mellitus-- which are type I and II
   Type I Diabetes Mellitus are caused when the pancreas stops making insulin, or when the body is unable to produce a sufficient supply of insulin to meet the bodily needs. This results into insulin-dependant diabetes mellitus (IDDM), Type I diabetes develop symptoms such as wasting away of muscles and lack of subcutaneous fats.
   Symptoms
      1) Excessive urination (polyuria)
      2) Excessive thirst (polydipsia)
      3) Excessive hunger (polyphagia)
      4) Dramatic weight loss
      5) Irritability
      6) Weakness and fatigue
      7) Nausea and vomiting


   Type II Diabetes or adult onset diabetes occurs when pancreas make insufficient insulin meaning that there is enough insulin, but it does not effectively force glucose into the cells. It is known as non-insulin dependant diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). Type II diabetics are generally vague and develop rapidly. This is the most common type of the disease. About 80 to 90% of people with diabetes have NIDDM, which is mostly associated with obesity, and older adults. Due to modern lifestyles and bad eating habits, NIDDM is now common among teenagers and young adults.
   It is a serious threat to health like chronic complications, experience in relation to vision, neurological, circulation, and urinary function are all  jeopardized by the disease process, even though this changes occur in tissue that do not need insulin to function.
                Symptoms
      1) Frequent urination
      2) Excessive thirst
      3) Extreme hunger
      4) Weakness and fatigue
                5) Bladder infection or gum disease
                6) Tingling or numbness in hands and feet
                7) Itching
                8) Blurred vision


Diabetics experiences hypoglycemia, and hyperglycemia. This happens when blood finger stick FSBS is checked by using glucometer. It can be low, and it can be high, if a finger stick is below 70 the diabetic is hypoglycemic.
   
Hypoglycemia (Low blood sugar)  is caused when body gets too much insulin, not enough food, when meal is missed, or eating late. Hypoglycemia is not always preventable in diabetes. It can usually be mild and can be treated easily. Most diabetics can detect if their blood sugar is low. However, for very young children who are not aware of the symptoms and cannot communicate need careful observation for signs like daydreaming, or irritability. In severe cases, which is rare, can lead to unconsciousness, combativeness, or seizure, which can be life threatening if not treated.
   Mild symptoms
      1) Shakiness or trembling
      2)  Pale cold skin
      3)  Excessive sweating (diaphoresis)
      4)  Rapid pulse
      5)  Hunger
      6)   Irritability
   Moderate Symptoms
      1) Poor coordination
      2) Dizziness
      3) Headache
      4) Slurred speech
      5) Fatigue
      6) lack of concentration or daydreaming
   Severe Symptoms
      1) Lost of consciousness
      2)  Seizure
      3) Inability to swallow

   Treatment
      1) Check blood glucose level by using glucometer
      2)  Give fast acting carbohydrate food or beverage, such as          glucose tablets, gel, fruit juice, regular soft drink such as Coca-         Cola, NO DIET DRINKS, sugar cubes, and hard candy.
               3) Check blood sugar FSBS after 15 min. give another fast acting carbohydrate if glucose level is still low
                         4) When the diabetic feels better :), give a meal, or snack as soon as  possible
              5) Give time for recovery, for severe cases follow Diabetic Health Care Plan (DHCP) given by doctor, or have a designated person give a Glucagon injection per (DHCP) immediately.

Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) the body gets too much insulin, too much food, or decrease exercise. The body is under stress from physical and psychological trauma.
   Symptoms
      1) Increase of excessive thirst
      2) Excessive urination
      3)  Nausea, blurry vision, fatigue or weakness
   Treatment   
      1)   Check blood sugar
      2)   Give sugar free beverages like water and diet soda
      3)   Give insulin if provided by the DHCP
      4)   Check for ketones, which are incomplete combustion of fats

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) when cells do not get enough glucose, the body begins to burn fats or protein for energy and the waste product are called ketones. Very high levels of ketones can cause a condition called Ketoacidosis; ketones can be checked with a simple urine or blood test. Follow DHCP in checking ketones when symptoms of hyperglycemia are present. Ketoacidosis can lead to a diabetic coma.
   Ketoacidosis Symptoms
      1) fruity-smelling breath
      2) Labored breathing
      3) Abdominal pain
                         4) Drowsiness and vomiting
      5) Dehydration
Treatment
   1) Give small amounts sugar-free beverage
   2) Give insulin injection according to DHCP instruction
   3) Seek medical health.


To be continued...

[sadiq]

This is quite an interesting piece. Welldone. I'l recommend you focus more on the management aspect on your next post, most especially preventive measures and lifestyle modification. These diseases are gradually poking their ugly heads into our community and we really need to do something about it.