HIM FPX 4610 assessment 6

Health Topic Presentation: Diabetes Mellitus

Introduction

Hello, I am Heather Jones, and I would personally like to welcome and thank you for letting me be here today. As a nurse, it has been my life’s work to provide care for the sick. Diabetes mellitus touches millions of families each day, including mine. I would like to provide some informative facts regarding diabetes mellitus that you might or might not know. During my forthcoming presentation, I will define the etiology of diabetes mellitus, causes, signs and symptoms, prognosis, treatments, diagnostic tests, support systems, as well as prevention methods.

Etiology and Types

Diabetes is a chronic disease that prevents your body from turning food into fuel. You turn most of the foods you eat into glucose and draw it into your bloodstream as sugar. When your blood sugar rises, your pancreas will release insulin. Insulin is a hormone that acts as a key to open the door to your cells so that you can use glucose from your bloodstream for fuel.

• Type 1 Diabetes: It is thought that type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune reaction, suppressing insulin production within the body. Previously referred to as insulin-dependent or juvenile diabetes, it can affect individuals of any age.
• Type 2 Diabetes: In type 2 diabetes, the body cannot successfully use insulin, causing chronically high blood sugar levels. It’s usually found in adults after symptomatic years but is increasingly found in young individuals.

Signs and Symptoms

• Type 1: Symptoms might not develop for months or years and can be harsh. They can consist of excessive thirst, hunger, tiredness, and unintended weight loss.
• Type 2: Symptoms are similar but may develop more gradually. They include increased thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, and blurred vision.

Complications and Risk Factors

• Complications of chronically elevated blood sugar levels include heart disease, eye problems, kidney disease, and more.
• Risk factors include genetics, age, ethnicity, and a history of gestational diabetes.

Diagnostic Procedures

• Diagnostic tests consist of the A1C test, random blood sugar test, fasting blood sugar test, and glucose tolerance test.

Prognosis

• Type 1: With the use of insulin therapy, those with type 1 diabetes are able to have long lives, although their lifespan will be shorter than normal.
• Type 2: Type 2 diabetes, if not treated, will have severe consequences on health, but with its management, one can increase their life expectancy.

Treatment

• Type 1 diabetes treatment includes insulin therapy, blood glucose monitoring, and lifestyle management.
• Type 2 diabetes treatment involves lifestyle changes, oral medications, insulin therapy, or a combination of these.

Support Systems

• Diabetes educators are important in assisting people with diabetes in managing their condition.

Prevention

• Prevention of type 2 diabetes involves healthy weight, balanced diet, and regular exercise.

HIM FPX 4610 Assessment 6 Health Topic Presentation

• Children’s Diabetes Foundation. (n.d.). Diabetes Support Groups. Retrieved from https://www.childrensdiabetesfoundation.org/support-groups
• Hanna, K. M., Juarez, B., Lenss, S. S., & Guthrie, D. (2003). Independent Decision Making in Diabetes Management Checklist. Issues in Comprehensive Pediatric Nursing.
• Harvard Health Publishing. (2018). Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. Retrieved from https://www.health.harvard.edu/a_to_z/type-1-diabetes-mellitus-a-to-z
• Harvard Health Publishing. (2018). Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Retrieved from https://www.health.harvard.edu/a_to_z/type-2-diabetes-mellitus-a-to-z
• Jacobson, A., & De. Groot, M. S. (2003). Diabetes Quality of Life. Family Process.
• Johnson, S. B., Pollack, T., Silverstein, J. H., Rosenbloom, A. L., Spillar, R., McCallum, M., & Harkavy, J. (1991). General Information– Diabetes. Journal of Pediatric Psychology.