HIM FPX 4610 Assessment 6 Health Topic Presentation
HIM-FPX 4610 Medical Terminology
Prof. Name
November, 2024
Health Topic Presentation: Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetes mellitus is a medical chronic disease that affects the body to metabolize blood sugar, called glucose (Mukhtar et al., 2020). It occurs because of an insufficient production of a particular hormone known as insulin by the body or an inability to make use of the already available insulin. These result in the immune system working against the body and fighting the pancreas’s insulin-producing cells in most patients diagnosed as children or adolescents. The other form includes Type 2, also known as the most common form of diabetes, although it typically occurs in maturity as well as highly linked with lifestyle. Over time, uncontrolled diabetes can produce multiple serious complications, such as heart disease, nerve damage, kidney failure, or vision problems. Controlling the disease includes medication and, more importantly, keeping in touch with blood glucose level results, healthy dieting, and exercise to prevent the onset of complications and for proper well-being.
Etiology and Types
The etiology of diabetes mellitus is complex, depending on the type; in the case of diabetes type 1, for example, it is an autoimmune disease that the immune system of the body mistakenly eliminates the pancreas’s insulin-producing beta cells, if any, insulin remains (Powers, 2021). It is typically diagnosed in early life; the exact cause is unknown although it is believed that some of the mutations have genetic implications and environmental triggers such as viral infections. This is when the body either cannot utilize its insulin or produces very little of this to maintain normal blood sugar levels. The condition has often been associated with lifestyle factors such as a bad diet, inactivity, obesity, and a family history of the condition. Type 2 diabetes is most often diagnosed in adults, but because of increasing rates of obesity, it is being increasingly diagnosed in younger populations. Both types of diabetes cause high blood sugar levels, but their causes and treatments are very different.
Type 1 Diabetes: In this disease, the autoimmune system destroys the pancreas’s insulin-producing cells termed beta cells (Roep et al., 2021). A person usually gets diagnosed with this disease at a young age. Therapy with exogenous insulin, which controls the blood sugar level, will be followed over a lifetime. However, the cause has not been identified yet while scientists believe that both are responsible for its occurrence at genetic and environmental levels respectively.
Type 2 Diabetes: Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body becomes insulin resistant or the pancreas fails to produce enough of the hormone. (Rachdaoui, 2020). The disease is prevalent in adults and is mostly associated with obesity, inactive lifestyle, and diet. Treatment of the condition can be achieved through lifestyle adjustment, oral medication, and in some instances, administration of insulin.
Signs and Symptoms
Common presentations of diabetes mellitus will differ depending on the type of patient or patient’s condition and include but are not limited to, frequent urination, excessive thirst, or unexplained weight loss. Type 1 diabetes presents with acute onset of fatigue, vision blurring, and wound healing (Cook et al., 2020). However, for individuals with Type 2, the symptoms take place more progressively through fatigue, feeling numb or tingling of the hands or feet, or suffering frequent infections. Both types of diabetes can also cause an increased appetite and untreated may cause serious complications such as diabetic ketoacidosis in Type 1, or cardiovascular conditions in Type 2; hence early detection and control are important to prevent more extensive damage.
Complications and Risk Factors
Complications of diabetes mellitus can be serious and chronic, such as cardiovascular disease, kidney damage or diabetic nephropathy, nerve damage or neuropathy, and vision problems, which can lead to complete blindness. Poorly controlled diabetes increases the risk of stroke, infections, and slow-healing wounds that can lead to amputations in extreme cases.
Genetic predisposition and an immune system that attacks cells responsible for the production of insulin are also known as risk factors for Type 1 diabetes. In contrast, Type 2 diabetes is more related to lifestyle factors such as being overweight, physically inactive, suffering from a poor diet, and having a family history of the disease. Such risk factors include older age, high blood pressure, and previously diagnosed gestational diabetes.
Diagnostic Procedures
Blood tests are used to measure glucose levels for the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. The most commonly used test is the Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG) test, A blood sample is taken following an overnight fast, and a value of 126 mg/dL or greater raises the possibility of the presence of diabetes (Kun Lv et al., 2023).Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT): Drinking a glucose solution has to be followed by blood samples drawn at various intervals to establish the response of the body to glucose. Another test used for diagnosis is a Hemoglobin A1c test, which shows the average blood sugar level for the past two to three months. A level of 6.5% or higher suggests diabetes. In the presence of symptoms, a random blood glucose test may be conducted; if it is above 200 mg/dL, then further testing is required. These tests help determine whether one has diabetes and in the management of the patient.
Prognosis
The prognosis for patients with diabetes mellitus is very dependent upon the type of diabetes that they have, whether well-managed or otherwise, and the presence of any complications (Palimkar et al., 2021). For Type 1 diabetes, if proper insulin therapy is in place, blood sugar monitoring, and a healthy lifestyle are taken care of, patients may have a long life but, in general, they would require constant vigilance to avoid complications from kidney disease, nerve damage, and heart disease. Early diagnosis and appropriate modification of lifestyle measures: weight loss, exercise, and diet will improve very much the prognosis of Type 2 diabetes. Failure to treat Type 2 diabetes or its management only leads to some very dire complications, including cardiovascular disease and nerve damage leading even to amputations. Both types entail lifetime management in order not to develop complications and consequently enjoy a good quality life.
Treatment
The treatment of diabetes mellitus depends on the type of diabetes and what is best suited to the individual. In Type 1 diabetes, the main therapy is insulin therapy, since the body cannot manufacture its insulin. The primary elements are regular injections or an insulin pump, combined with frequent blood sugar monitoring. Patients also need to have a balanced diet and physical exercise regularly to keep their blood sugar levels in optimal ranges. For Type 2 diabetes, lifestyle modification is usually the first form of treatment, which includes dieting, exercise, and controlling body weight. Oral drugs like metformin can be prescribed for the patient to help the body use more insulin, and in some cases, even insulin therapy is required (Mahajan & Mahajan, 2023). The two types need regular monitoring of the blood glucose level, which will prevent complications and ensure overall health.
Prevention
Prevention of diabetes mellitus focuses on lifestyle modification, which reduces the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes and helps manage Type 1 diabetes (García-Molina et al., 2020). For Type 2 diabetes, adoption of a healthy diet high in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins, along with regular physical activity, can reduce the risk substantially. A healthy weight, avoidance of smoking, and reduction of alcohol intake are also essential prevention measures. Although it is impossible to prevent type 1 diabetes because it is caused genetically and by an autoimmune effect, it can be well managed at early stages with appropriate intervention of insulin therapy and diet accompanied by exercise that helps avert complications. Screening among high-risk groups is very effective in facilitating the prompt intervention of disease at the point of onset.
HIM FPX 4610 Assessment 6 Conclusion
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease, the complications of which result when it is not properly treated. Type 1 is an autoimmune condition and type 2 is a result of lifestyle factors; it poses health risks for any individual, but proper treatment, including insulin therapy and medications, lifestyle changes, and continuous monitoring, can enable any individual to live well (Mihaela Simona Popoviciu et al., 2023). Preventive measures also include a healthy diet and exercise, maintaining good body weight, and contributing significantly to the reduction in risk for Type 2 diabetes. Detection and interventions should be made early if there is an expectation for improved outcomes, indicating continuous education, support, and access to healthcare for an individual with diabetes.
HIM FPX 4610 Assessment 6 References
Cook, E., Stratton, E., & Thornton, M. D. (2020). Acute cataract development in a pediatric patient with type 1 diabetes. The Journal of Emergency Medicine, 58(4), e207–e209. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jemermed.2020.02.005
García-Molina, L., Lewis-Mikhael, A.-M., Riquelme-Gallego, B., Cano-Ibáñez, N., Oliveras-López, M.-J., & Bueno-Cavanillas, A. (2020). Improving type 2 diabetes mellitus glycaemic control through lifestyle modification implementing diet intervention: a systematic review and meta-analysis. European Journal of Nutrition, 59(4), 1313–1328. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-019-02147-6
Kun Lv, Cui, C., Fan, R., Xiaojuan Zha, Wang, P., Zhang, J., Zhang, L., Ke, J., Zhao, D., Cui, Q., & Yang, L. (2023). Detection of diabetic patients in people with normal fasting glucose using machine learning. BMC Medicine, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-023-03045-9
Mohajan, D., & Mohajan, H. K. (2023). Metformin: An oral anti-hyperglycaemic agent for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Journal of Innovations in Medical Research, 2(11), 1–8. https://www.paradigmpress.org/jimr/article/view/857
Mihaela Simona Popoviciu, Nirja Kaka, Sethi, Y., Patel, N., Chopra, H., & Cavalu, S. (2023). Type 1 diabetes mellitus and autoimmune diseases: a critical review of the association and the application of personalized medicine. Journal of Personalized Medicine, 13(3), 422–422. https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm13030422
