Question

Case Scenario: A 12-year-old boy presents with a blood sugar of 600. He is lethargic, and parents state he has had the flu. He has been fatigued and has lost 15 pounds in the last two weeks. This boy’s history is small for age, lack of focus at times, reoccurring bladder infections for the last six months, states his mouth is dry all the time, is often irritable, and has few interests or friends. The doctors’ notes state he has a diagnosis of autoimmune type 1 diabetes. As this is a new diagnosis, the parents are obviously very upset.

1. Question: How would you explain this disease to the parents and boy? What guidelines would you provide for them for future care? You will need to defend your answer using specific facts, data, and other information drawn from the textbook and at least one other supplemental source.

Answer 1

1.

I will explain detailed about the type l diabetes because it is a new experience and bad luck with the boy and the parents. I will explain that, the type l diabetes is a chronic medical condition, that occurs with the pancreas , an organ in the abdomen, produces very little or no insuline. Insuline is a hormone that helps the body to use glucose for energy. Glucose is a sugar that comes in large part, from foods we eat. Insuline allows glucose to enter cells in the body where it is needed and stores excess glucose for later use. It has other important actions as well, without insuline, blood glucose ( sugar ) levels become too high and overtime, this will harm the body. Type l diabetes usually begins in childhood or young adulthood, but it can develop at any age.

GUIDELINES FOR FUTURE CARE INCLUDING :-

* Type l diabetes requires regular blood sugar monitoring and treatment with insuline.

* Treatment, lifestyle adjustments and self care can control blood sugar levels and minimise the risk of disease-related complications

* Regular meal plans with calorie exchange options are encouraged

* Encouraged low salt, low saturated fats and high fiber diet.

* Consistently eating at the same time every day is important

* Eating a consistent number of calories every day can help to maintain body weight.

* Weight loss strategies are important

* Exercise regularly can help to lose weight, decreases insulin requirement in diabetic subjects by increasing both sensitivity of muscle cells to insulin and glucose utilization.

* The diet that includes carbohydrates from fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes and low fat milk is encouraged

* Adviced to avoid sugar , sweetened beverages including fruit juices

* Monitoring of carbohydrates intake ( carbohydrate counting) is important

* Diet high in fiber ( 25-30 g/day ) may help to control blood sugar levels and glycated hemoglobin

* Insulin pump therapy :- continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion via battery powered pumps provides a closer approximation of normal plasma insulin profiles. It accurately deliver a small baseline continuous infusion of insulin.

Thankyou ?