Diabetes and Drug Treatments
Introduction
Diabetes is a condition that affects the endocrine system and millions of children and adults suffer from it. If a person suffering from the disease ignores it or fails to acquire proper treatment, there can be a number of complications that include heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, neuropathy, and blindness (American Diabetes Association, 2010). Nutritional management and drug therapy are very vital for treating the disease. However, the treatment recommendations differ depending on the type of diabetes and patient behavior factors. This paper aims at differentiating the various types of diabetes, proper administration and preparation of a drug used in treating diabetes type 2, dietary considerations when using the drug, effects of the disease, and impacts of the drug.
Differences between the various types of diabetes
Juvenile/ Type 1/ brittle/ sugar/ IDDM (Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus) diabetes
This type of diabetes may present as idiopathic type 1 or immune-mediated diabetes. Genetic as well as environmental factors are associated with type 1 diabetes. It is more common in children and young adults although it can initiate at any age (Peterson et al., 2007). The pancreatic cells get destroyed after being attacked by the immune system. Type 1 diabetes appears suddenly with symptoms such as mood changes, frequent urination, unusual thirst, and blurred vision.
Type 2 diabetes/ NIDDM (Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus)
Type 2 diabetes is as a result of the body’s inability to make sufficient amounts or use insulin properly. As a result, blood sugar fails to move into cells. This chronic disease has no known cure and it is the commonest. Genetic factors are believed to play a role but there has to be another factor such as obesity for the disease to begin. The disease’s development can be prevented or delayed through reducing or eliminating the related factors (Peterson et al., 2007).
Gestational diabetes
This occurs in pregnant women who have never been diagnosed with the disease before. The glucose levels increase or there are diabetic symptoms that disappear after delivery (Arcangelo & Peterson, 2013). This disease is as a result of insulin resistance and some of the predisposing factors include a family history of diabetes, overweight, obesity, and pre-diabetes.
Proper preparation and administration of a drug that treats diabetes type 2
Sulfonylureas, an oral medication, comprises of Glimepiride, Glyburide, and Glipizide. These drugs work quickly and stimulate the release of insulin. There is a dose range of 1-8 mg and a dose goes for one day since the drugs function for more than 24 hours (Arcangelo & Peterson, 2013).
Dietary considerations linked to the treatment
When taking the mentioned drugs, there is a need to make several dietary considerations. There should be a higher consumption of high-fiber and low-fat diet foods as well as less refined carbohydrates, sweets, and animal products. For an even blood sugar, there should be keen consistency where similar food amounts with the same protein, fats, and carbohydrate proportions are taken daily and at a specific time (American Diabetes Association, 2010). In addition, foods with a low glycemic index have a high fiber content that helps in keeping the blood sugar more stable.
Long- and short-term impacts of this diabetes
There are damaged blood vessels in people suffering from type 2 diabetes, which renders them vulnerable to heart disease and stroke. Other complications include eye problems (retinal detachment, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and cataracts), foot problems, miscarriage, stillbirth, nerve damage, kidney disease, and sexual dysfunction. Considering that the disease is long-term, an individual should stick to an appropriate lifestyle so as to minimize complications (Drugs.com., 2012).
Impacts of drug treatments
Following administration of Sulfonylureas, there is an abrupt release of insulin that relieves the symptoms. Some of the side effects that may be experienced include anemia, bloating, low blood sugar, nausea, skin rash, sun sensitivity, metallic taste, and weight gain (Turner et al., 2009).
Summary and conclusion
A proper diagnosis of the type of diabetes an individual is suffering from leads to better management and treatment. Irrespective of the cause of the various forms of diabetes, a combination of medications, physical exercise, and dietary management are crucial for the management.
References
American Diabetes Association. (2010). Type 2 diabetes. McGraw-Hill/Contemporary.
Arcangelo, V. P., & Peterson, A. M. (Eds.). (2013). Pharmacotherapeutics for
advanced practice: A practical approach (3rd ed.). (p.696- 714)
Drugs.com. (2012). Diabetes, Type 2 Medications. Retrieved on 9th January, 2013 from http://www.drugs.com/condition/diabetes-mellitus-type-ii.html
Peterson, K., Silverstein, J., Kaufman, F., & Warren-Boulton, E. (2007). Management of type 2 diabetes in youth: An update. American Family Physician, 76(5), 658–664.
Turner, R. C., Holman, R. R., Cull, C. A., Stratton, I. M., Matthews, D. R., Frighi, V. & Sutton, P. J. (2009). Intensive blood-glucose control with sulphonylureas or insulin compared with conventional treatment and risk of complications in patients with type 2 diabetes (UKPDS 33). Lancet, 352(9131), 837-853.
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