Diabetes is more common than ever. Approximately 1.25 million American children and adults have been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Diabetes kills more people every day than AIDS and breast cancer together. A person diagnosed at age 50 with type 2 diabetes is more likely to die 6 years earlier than nondiabetics. Some pretty alarming statistics for sure.
Pre-diabetic patients
People that are what is commonly referred to as pre-diabetic still have a chance to avoid becoming diabetic. An immediate lifestyle change and change in diet can often prevent the actual onset of diabetes. 80 percent of type 2 diabetics are overweight, so the obvious first step to avoid developing diabetes is to maintain an ideal weight. When working with a pre-diabetic patient, there is a strong need for education, they need to understand the severity of the condition and complications. The hope is that the patient will recognize the seriousness of the disease, and make necessary changes before they have a full blown case of diabetes. When educating pre-diabetic patients it is important to convey the dangers associated with diabetes. Even some minor lifestyle changes can prevent further complications.
- If overweight, lose weight by following a healthy diet.
- Be sure to drink plenty of water daily, avoid sugary drinks and too much caffeine.
- Incorporate exercise into a daily routine, at least 30 minutes per day.
- Ensure meals are balanced with the proper amount of protein and carbs.
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Type 2 Diabetic Patients
When a patient is diagnosed with diabetes, type 2, there are likely to be a wide range of emotions. Many patients do not comprehend the serious condition they have been diagnosed with. You can't follow a patient home and force changes on them; however, stressing the importance of following the physician's orders is vital. Newly diagnosed patients will need education and training to manage their condition. In addition to training on insulin injections, encourage the patient to attend a session on diabetic education, most hospitals offer them at little or no charge. Encourage the patient to attend a diabetic support group. In addition to offering support and motivation, the group meetings can offer tips, give advice, share recipes, and have social events to incorporate exercise. It is a good idea to offer reassurance to your patient. Remind them, they can live with this diagnosis; it just involves making some changes that will, in fact, benefit their overall health.
Type 1 Diabetes
When working with patients that are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, they will most likely already be aware of their diagnosis when they visit a medical practice as an adult. They have most likely lived with their condition for quite some time. The patient may require regular lab work, which they are probably very adapted to. Patients that are type 1 diabetics need to have regular checkups, with special attention to certain areas of the body. When doing a patient assessment for the physician, be sure to check feet, especially on the bottom of the patient's foot, to ensure there are no sores, blisters, or areas that have the potential for infection. Also, check the injection sites to make sure there is no sign of infection at the site of the punctures.
Diabetic Information and Facts
Diabetes, type 1 and diabetes type 2 are not the same. Type 1 falls into the category of an autoimmune disease. This form of diabetes generally strikes in childhood or adolescence, and unfortunately last the life of the patient. It requires the patient to take multiple injections daily from the onset of the condition. Today a pump is available that automatically delivers insulin when needed.
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Type diabetes is a metabolic condition in which the body still produces insulin, but is not able to use it effectively. With the epidemic of obesity, type 2 diabetes is more common than ever.
It is important to remember there is no cure for diabetes; however, in most cases it is manageable. Diabetes can have serious side effects, such as kidney failure, blindness, nerve damage, heart attack, and stroke.
Diabetes Statistics
- Nearly 26 million Americans are diagnosed diabetes
- 7 million people are diabetic, yet undiagnosed
- 1.25 million Americans have type 2 diabetes
- In the U.S. alone, every 30 seconds a person is diagnosed with diabetes
- Diabetes is the most expensive disease of all chronic conditions
The financial cost of diabetes is rising every year; however, the tragic cost is the number of lives lost and affected. Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure, non-injury related loss of lower limbs, and new cases of blindness. Many people don't realize it, but diabetes is also a contributing cause of strokes and heart attacks.
Patients that have been diagnosed with diabetes should be instructed to keep a log recording their readings whenever they test. There are numerous software programs and apps for recording readings, it's a very simple process and can provide information to the physician. Patients that have recently been diagnosed as being diabetic should have frequent visits to have lab tests done and to ensure their weight is stable.
As the nurse, you will probably be the person responsible for educating the patient per the physician's instructions for controlling blood glucose. Recommending a diabetic training class, and providing pertinent literature will be beneficial for the newly diagnosed patient. Stressing to the patient that they follow doctor's orders is vital, again, many patients have difficulty facing the fact they have a medical condition that can be serious if not treated.
While diabetes can be very serious, and even deadly if treated it is a medical condition that can be lived with. Lifestyle changes combined with medication can keep blood glucose readings under control in most cases. The goal is to make sure the patient understands the seriousness of the disease, while at the same time understanding it can be controlled, and they can live a normal life. No one wants to learn they are diabetic; however, on a more positive note, it can serve as a wakeup call to take better care of one's health.
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