Diabetes : A Important For A Public Health Issue Essay

After reading the first half of chapter two, The Analytic Project, I was most interested in the section titled, The Discovery of Insulin. I furthered my research of this area after reading and was able to better understand insulin and why it was such an important discovery. With that being said, diabetes was the result of malfunctions of the pancreas. Before the discovery of insulin, diabetes was a disease that usually caused death, especially during the late nineteenth century. Many feared this disease, and according to A Philosophy of Science, A new Introduction, most people lost their life within a year of being diagnosed with the disease, even with the best treatment available at the time.

In fact, there had been incredible advances in the understanding of diabetes. In 1869, a student named Paul Langerhans discovered a new type of tissue, scattered about in the pancreas. The tissues came to be known as the Islets of Langerhans. It was theorized that they secreted a substance that regulates digestion, so in 1889, a physician named Oscar Minkowski removed the pancreas from a dog. In a matter of days, the dog became diabetic, evidenced by sugar in its urine, showing the connection between the secretions of the islets and diabetes (Wikipedia, Insulin).

This is a diabetes case study of Mr. Charles D., a 45-year old male who is experiencing classic symptoms of hyperglycaemia. Recently divorced and living alone in a new home, Charles has complained of recent weight loss, excessive thirst, and frequent urination. He is a busy CEO for a major technological company. This case study for Charles will educate him as to what are the causes of diabetes: explain the presenting signs and symptoms emphasize the psycho-social impact to his amended life, and instruct him in the economic impact that he and millions share.

The term "diabetes" was first coined by Araetus of Cappodocia in Ancient Greece (81-133AD). The horrific disease was described by Araetus as “ A wonderful affection being a melting down of the flesh and limbs into urine. The patient never stops drinking water but the 373). During the time of Araetus, there was nothing that could be done to help the patient with flow is incessant as if from the opening of the aqueducts. The patient is short lived.” (Ahmed, this disease. As noted by Araetus, life lasts “only for a time, but not very long.”

Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death listed in the United States. Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness. “In 1996 diabetes contributed to more than 162,000 deaths”(Lewis 1367).

In 2008/09 close to 2.4 million Canadians were with diabetes (Type I and Type II) with 20% of diabetes cases remaining undiagnosed (Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), 2011a). The prevalence of diabetes in Canada is higher amongst males when compared to females (PHAC, 2011a). Table 1 indicates that a higher number of men experience years life lost (YLL), years lived with disability (YLD) and disability-adjusted life years (DALY) when compared to women (Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), 2013). Interestingly, the mortality rate as a result of diabetes is slightly lower amongst males (IHME, 2013).

     Diabetes is a chronic condition in which the body produces too little insulin (Type One Diabetes) or can’t use available insulin efficiently ( Type Two Diabetes). Insulin is a hormone vital to helping the body use digested food for growth and energy.

Diabetes is a rising epidemic that is largely due to the increasing rates of obesity, especially in young adults (Oram et al., 2016). Thus, it is becoming more difficult to discern between type 1 and type 2 diabetes in this population, which can lead to inappropriate treatment administration. Classification of diabetes subtypes is the first step in determining an individual’s course of treatment, thus accuracy is imperative. Many predictive and diagnostic tests exist for diabetes, including fasting blood glucose, oral glucose tolerance, hemoglobin A1C, islet autoantibodies, and insulin C-peptide testing (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases [NIDDK], 2015). However, recent research (Oram et al., 2016) has proposed that genetic risk scoring may be effective in accurately classifying diabetes. Furthermore, proper identification would assist providers in predicting which young adults are likely to advance quickly to a state of insulin insufficiency. In this paper, we will review and discuss the research and clinical findings associated with genetic risk scoring and the improved discernment between type 1 and type 2 diabetes in young adults, as well as evaluate its implications for nursing practice.

Diabetes is a disease that has been plaguing mankind since as early as the time of the Egyptians in 1552 BC (Canadian Diabetes Association, 2005) as we know it. We, at the moment, understand it to be a disease created by the presence of insulin whether deficiency or resistance to insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is secreted from the pancreas and its purpose is to maintain the levels of glucose within the body (through usage). A lack of insulin would therefore generally result in the inability to absorb glucose hence, for example as a side-effect, sweet urine is produced. Throughout time, our knowledge of diabetes has improved as well as our diagnosis methods and treatment methods. The following is a brief rundown of the development of

Diabetes is the fastest and largest growing health issue in New Zealand. Diabetes is a disease that has reached epidemic proportions internationally and within the New Zealand community. It is the leading cause of blindness, kidney failure and lower limb amputations. There are two main types of diabetes: type 1 (insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus) and type 2 (adult-onset diabetes mellitus). An international study carried out by a team of researchers working with the World Health Organisation had found that New Zealand has one of the highest rates of diabetes. There is over 240,000 people in New Zealand who have been diagnosed with diabetes, most having type 2, and the amount on both types is rising. If someone who has diabetes cannot keep their glucose levels in an appropriate range, they can develop a number of long term health problems including damaged vessels leading to kidney failure, blindness, and damage of the nervous system. Type 2 diabetes is an issue in my community as it can be life threatening. It is a crucial issue for New Zealand, because it has such negative impact on New Zealand’s society, including creating issues with money in New Zealand. In 2008 there was a study about the health-care costs for New Zealanders with Type 2 Diabetes. It was around $540 million and it is predicted that these costs will increase to $1.78 billion by 2021. These

Diabetes Mellitus has increased in recent years due to bad eating habits and inactivity. Diabetes Mellitus is a major public health problem worldwide. Improved testing accuracy has improved which has confirmed more cases. There are two types of diabetes. In this paper I will explain the differences in both types of Diabetes and complications that are commonly associated with this disease, as well as treatment and plan of care for this disease. (American Medical Association)

According to researchers at the web site diabetesinformationhub.com, diabetes has been around for a very long time but it wasn’t until around 1552 B.C. that we became aware of it. During this time, many Greek and French physicians studied it and reported on its nature, and the bodily organs that are responsible for it. In the 1870’s a French doctor uncovered a link between diabetes and the foods we ate. Therefore, changing our individual diet could be a treatment for control. Between 1900 and 1915 a diet for those with diabetes was designed to include; milk, oats, and other foods containing fiber. Another step along the path of researching this disease came when three men, Dr. Banting, Dr. Collip, and Prof. Macleod, discovered insulin and its nature and function. They were awarded the Nobel Prize for their research which took place between 1920 and 1923. In the years following many more things were discovered about this disease, for example the effects on kidneys and the skin (Diabetes information hub, history and statistics, par. 1-2). ¶

The existence of diabetes mellitus was first recognized by the ancient Egyptians and Greeks when individuals showed signs of excessive urination, rapid weight loss, and “sweet-tasting” urine. Diagnosis was, therefore, made by designated “water tasters,” who drank the urine of potential diabetes patients searching for a “sweet taste.” Because diabetes patients are drained of fluids, the Greek philosopher Apollonius coined the term “diabetes” for the disease, which means “to siphon” or “to pass through.” The name “mellitus” originated from Latin and was later added to the term “diabetes.” (9) For thousands of years, little information was known about diabetes. The remedies used at the time were largely ineffective, and many individuals died from diabetes after short life spans. In 1776, Matthew Dobson discovered that the urine of diabetes patients contained increased concentrations of glucose. In 1797, John Rollo recognized a link between diet and treatment of diabetes. In 1812, the disease was clinically recognized in the New England Journal of Medicine and Surgery, and the first laboratory tests were developed to measure the presence of sugar in urine. (9) During the following two hundred years, the scientific community gained a greater understanding of diabetes and its pathology, prevention, and treatment.

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life-threatening complication of diabetes (diabetes mellitus). It develops when there is not enough of the hormone insulin in the body. Without enough insulin, the body cannot break down sugar (glucose), so it breaks down fats instead. This leads to the production of acids (ketones), which can cause the blood to become too acidic (acidosis). DKA is a medical emergency that must be treated at the hospital.

Diabetes is a chronic illness that effects a large number of the population, 243,125 New Zealanders were diagnosed according to the 2013 census (Diabetes New Zealand, 2014a). Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease that causes unstable hyperglycaemia resulting from a defect in insulin secretion or action within the body (Belonwu, Obimba, Ozougwu & Unakalamba, 2013). Diabetes is a condition that can have detrimental effects on the lives of people suffering from diabetes, diabetes is a condition that has long term side effects that can be life-threatening. The purpose of this literature review is to explore what is best evidence based nursing practice to improve wound healing of diabetic foot ulcers. Foot ulcers account for 60% of lower limb amputations, causes of lower limb amputations include peripheral vascular disease (any disorder that involves the circulatory system outside the brain or heart). (Emedical Health, 2014), and the presence of ischemia due to neuropathy (reduced circulation to the tissue causing the skin cells to die (Chadwick & Haycocks, 2012). For this reason, the literature review will examine the question ‘what is the best evidence-based nursing practice to improve the outcome of diabetic foot ulcers’ this literature review will critically analyse three themes within the current international literature. Best evidence based practice will be identified, to improve diabetic foot ulcer outcomes.