Diabetes and Drug Treatments: Gestational diabetes in Hispanic women Help.
Diabetes and Drug Treatments: Gestational diabetes in Hispanic women
Instructions:
Diabetes is an endocrine system disorder that affects millions of children and adults (ADA, 2011). 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. In this Assignment, you compare types of diabetes including drug treatments for type 1, type 2, gestational, and juvenile diabetes.
To prepare:
•Review this week’s media presentation on the endocrine system and diabetes, as well as Chapter 45 of the Arcangelo and Peterson text and the Peterson et al. article in the Learning Resources.
•Reflect on differences between types of diabetes including type 1, type 2, gestational, and juvenile diabetes.
•Select one type of diabetes.
•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 effects of drug treatments.
Write a 2- to 3- page paper that addresses the following:
•Explain the differences between types of diabetes including type 1, type 2, gestational, and juvenile diabetes.
•Describe one type of drug used to treat the type of diabetes (gestational) you selected including proper preparation and administration of this drug. Include dietary considerations related to treatment.
•Explain the short-term and long-term impact of this diabetes on patients including effects of drugs treatments.
Solution
Diabetes and Drug Treatments: Gestational diabetes in Hispanic women
Diabetes is a medical condition that affects the manner in which the body regulates the amount of sugar or glucose in the blood. There are two hormones that are directly involved in the regulation of blood sugar levels. These include insulin, which helps the body to reduce the level of glucose in the blood whereas glucagon helps the body to increase the level of glucose in the blood. There are various types of diabetes as a result of insulin and glucagon not being able to work together to maintain blood glucose levels. The first one is known as type 1 diabetes which is brought about as a result of the body’s inability to produce enough insulin. As a result, insulin has to be introduced to the body in the form of an injection to maintain the blood glucose levels.
The second is referred to as type 2 diabetes, and this is the result of the body’s inability to respond effectively to the insulin levels resulting in glucose levels that are higher than the usual, (Tang, Foster, Pumarino, Ackermann, Peaceman & Cameron, 2015). The third type of diabetes is known as gestational diabetes. This is a type of diabetes that is usually experienced by expectant mothers. The expectant mothers have never had diabetes in the life but experience high blood sugar levels as a result of being pregnant, (Hieronymus, Combs, Coleman, Ashford & Wiggins, 2016). Finally, there is juvenile diabetes. In this case, the pancreases, which is part of the endocrine system produces little or no insulin at all. It is clear that this type of diabetes is similar to type 1 diabetes because in both there is isn’t enough insulin in to control the blood glucose levels. The name ‘Juvenile Diabetes” is so because it mainly affects young children as well as teenagers even it can also affect any individual at any age.
The treatment for gestational diabetes is aimed at controlling the levels of glucose in the blood through medication, diet as well as exercise, (Arcangelo &Peterson, 2013). The standard medication for gestational diabetes is insulin injection. There are two types of insulin that may be prescribed by the doctor. One is fast acting insulin and this should be taken before a meal whereas the other one is intermediate or low acting insulin which needs to be taken when going to bed or waking up. The dietary consideration of individuals with gestational diabetes involves specialized healthy meal plans. The food should be high in fiber as well as other necessary nutrients while at the same time low on fat and calories. These include fruits, vegetable, and whole grains. Foods that are composed of refined carbohydrates should be avoided at all costs.
Short term effects of diabetes are brought
about when blood glucose levels fall too high or too low making it difficult
for the body to function normally at that particular moment. Hypoglycemia is
one of the short term effects which means having blood glucose levels that are
too low (4.0 mmol/l) resulting in tiredness, weakness, and confusion among
others. Another short term effect is ketoacidosis which refers to a condition
whereby the cells of the body are refueled by low insulin level for a
significant period resulting in vomiting and dehydration among other symptoms.
Some of the long-term effects of diabetes include damage to the heart, blood
vessels, lungs as well as the brain. The damage to the blood vessels results in
complications of the kidney, eyes, nerves and the feet. Moreover, research has
also shown that the drugs used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, lowering
glucose levels, increase the risk of death from heart-related complications.
References
Arcangelo, V. P., & Peterson, A. M. (Eds.). (2013). Pharmacotherapeutics for advanced practice: A practical approach (3rd ed.). Ambler, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Chapter 45
Drugs.com. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.drugs.com/
Hieronymus, L., Combs, L., Coleman, E., Ashford, K., & Wiggins, A. (2016). Evaluation of an Education Intervention in Hispanic Women at Risk for Gestational Diabetes Mellitus. Diabetes Spectrum, 29(2), 115-120. doi:10.2337/diaspect.29.2.115
Tang, J., Foster, K., Pumarino, J., Ackermann, R., Peaceman, A., & Cameron, K. (2015). Perspectives on Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes After Gestational Diabetes: A Qualitative Study of Hispanic, African-American and White Women. Maternal & Child Health Journal, 19(7), 1526-1534. doi:10.1007/s10995-014-1657-y