According to the American Diabetes Association (2019), approximately 11.3% of the American population suffers from diabetes

According to the American Diabetes Association (2019), approximately 11.3% of the American population suffers from diabetes

Najwah Simpson

SundayMar 26 at 8:32am

Manage Discussion Entry

Hello Professor and Class,

According to the American Diabetes Association (2019), approximately 11.3% of the American population suffers from diabetes. There is also a significant portion of this population, approximately 8.5 million individuals, who are undiagnosed (American Diabetes Association, 2019). The prevalence of diabetes remains higher among elderly adults with over 15 million adults, over the age of 65 having diabetes (American Diabetes Association, 2019). Type 1, type 2, gestational and juvenile diabetes can occur at different times of life and to people in different demographics. Type 1 diabetes is mostly acquired during childhood and it normally destroys the insulin-producing cells within the pancreas. This means that the sugar levels in the blood become higher for people with type 1 diabetes. However, this does not discount the fact that type 1 diabetes cannot occur in adults. Juvenile diabetes also develops in childhood or adolescence and it can be viewed as an outdated reference for type 1 diabetes. Fatigue, sudden weight loss, frequent urination accompanied by increased thirst and blurred visions are among the major symptoms of type 1 diabetes. Most people dealing with type 1 diabetes or juvenile diabetes need insulin therapy throughout their lives. According to the American Diabetes Association (2018), insulin therapy is the main therapy for people with type 1 diabetes. More insulin doses are required during puberty to ensure that a patient is metabolically stable. Adults with type 1 diabetes can use pramlintide since it helps in weight loss and it also has lower insulin doses (American Diabetes Association, 2018). Metformin can also be added to insulin therapy to enhance metabolic control among patients with type 1 diabetes (American Diabetes Association, 2018).

Unlike type 1 diabetes which occurs due to the inability of the body to produce insulin, type 2 diabetes occurs when the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin. This means that the body cells become resistant to insulin thereby being unable to meet the needs of the body. However, unlike type 1 or juvenile diabetes which mostly emerge in childhood, type 2 diabetes emerges in adults who are mostly above 40 years. Aside from having similar symptoms with type 1 diabetes, patients with type 2 diabetes may take a longer time when it comes to the healing of their wounds. They may also experience numbness on their hands. Type 2 diabetes, however, can be managed through lifestyle changes. Metformin is also recommended for patients with type 2 diabetes (American Diabetes Association, 2018). Patients with type 2 diabetes who are not attaining their glycemic goals must also receive insulin therapy. Type 2 diabetes patients can also receive antihyperglycemic therapy together with lifestyle management changes and metformin (American Diabetes Association, 2018).

Gestational diabetes emerges during pregnancy especially when the body cannot regulate sugar levels. This type of diabetes complicates the pregnancy and it could create mortality if poorly managed. The symptoms of gestational diabetes are similar to other forms of diabetes. Educational interventions are common for all types of diabetes whereby patients are taught how to regulate their intake of carbohydrates and how to have healthier lifestyles (American Diabetes Association, 2018). Screening for gestational diabetes is recommended at 24 to 28 weeks of pregnancy since it is the period when glucose levels are on the rise (Sandu et al., 2021). Nutritional therapy is effective in the treatment of gestational diabetes. Self-blood glucose monitoring can also be taught to pregnant mothers. In instances where nutritional therapy has failed, antihyperglycemic oral agents such as glyburide and metformin are recommended (Sandu et al., 2021). Thus, while treatment for diabetes may differ, insulin therapy and lifestyle changes are common methods of treatment and management for all types of diabetes.

References

American Diabetes Association. (2018). Pharmacologic approaches to glycemic treatment: Standards of medical care in diabetesLinks to an external site.Links to an external site.—2018. Diabetes Care, 41(Supplement 1), S73–S85. Retrieved from http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/41/supplement_1/s73.full-text.pdfLinks to an external site.

American Diabetes Association. (2019). Statistics about diabetes. Retrieved from http://diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/statistics/Links to an external site.

Sandu, C., Bica, C., Salmen, T., Stoica, R., Bohiltea, R., Gherghiceanu, F., Pacu, I., Stefan, S., Serafinceanu, C., & Stoian, A. P. (2021). Gestational diabetes – modern management and therapeutic approach (Review). Experimental and therapeutic medicine21(1), 81. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2020.9512

Requirements: 1/2 page

Answer preview for the paper on ‘According to the American Diabetes Association (2019), approximately 11.3% of the American population suffers from diabetes’

American Diabetes Association

APA 240 words

Click the purchase button below to download full answer…….