In: Nursing
An 18-year-old patient complains of an increased urge to drink water and urinate. He has been losing weight rapidly for the past few months. Following several diagnostic tests, the physician tells him that he has diabetes mellitus. However, the patient refuses to believe the diagnosis, saying that he always thought diabetes was a disease of obese and older adults. He is devastated and feels that this disease means the end of his social life and carefree lifestyle.
Diabetes Miletus or simply diabetes is the term for multiple metabolic disorders that occurs due to elevated blood sugar for a long time. Symptoms of diabetes include increased thirst, increased appetite, and frequent urination. Untreated diabetes may lead to hyperosmolar hyperglycemia, ketoacidosis, or even death. It is also related to stroke, cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, damage to nerves, foot ulcers, and impaired cognition.
In the given patient, increased thirst and frequent urination are the common symptoms of diabetes. However, the unexplained weight loss under the age of 20 may indicate type 1 diabetes. Other factors such as being white and type1 diabetes in any of the parent or sibling may enhance this possibility. Diabetes can occur at any age as it is a lifestyle-related disorder although, it occurs mostly in middle-aged people.
Type 2 differs from type 1 diabetes as in type 2 diabetes, resistance to insulin develops in the body and cells do not respond to the insulin appropriately. In further stages, insulin deficiency may occur. On the other hand in type 1 diabetes, enough insulin is not produced as a result of the loss of beta cells which occurs due to some autoimmune response. Type1 diabetes is also termed as insulin-dependent diabetes.
Type 1 is generally managed with injections of insulin. As the body could not produce enough insulin, insulin is provided through injections.
The nurse should deal with the patient calmly and make him understand that this disease can occur at any age. A counseling session may be provided as he is devastated. The nurse can help him understand that it’s not the end of social life in the case he keeps his diet, blood sugar, and medicines in check.