preview

Essay On Type 2 Diabetes

Decent Essays
Open Document

Abstract “A chronic illness is a condition that lasts for a very long time and usually cannot be cured completely, although some illnesses can be controlled or managed through lifestyle (diet and exercise) and certain medications.” (Webmd, 2014). Receiving a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes does not have to be a death sentence. It does take daily commitment and sticking to the regiment that you and your doctor find appropriate for you. You don’t have to let diabetes control your life. You can control your blood sugar instead, and take charge of your health. Type 2 Diabetes a Chronic Illness A chronic illness can be defined as “medical illnesses or health problems with associated symptoms or disabilities that require long-term management for 3 …show more content…

Many of them have the same illness and all of them have had a varying degree of signs and symptoms. The majority of my patients have type 2 diabetes. “Type 2 diabetes, once known as adult-onset or noninsulin-dependent diabetes, is a chronic condition that affects the way your body metabolizes sugar (glucose), your body's important source of fuel.” (Mayo Clinic, 2014) A person may have Type 2 diabetes and not be aware because the symptoms often develop slowly. “Type 2 diabetes can be easy to ignore, especially in the early stages when you're feeling fine. But diabetes affects many major organs, including your heart, blood vessels, nerves, eyes and kidneys. Controlling your blood sugar levels can help prevent these complications.” (Mayo Clinic, 2014) The one patient that sticks out in my mind the most when I think of type 2 diabetes was a male in his early 40’s who was on the ICU step down because of unmanaged, uncontrolled diabetes. He had been dehydrated, lethargic and his blood sugars were over 600 on admission. He was a smoker both marijuana and cigarettes, drank alcohol daily, had a lot of stress in his life and worked two jobs. The lifestyle that he chooses to live and leaving his diabetes unmanaged allowed this manageable chronic illness to progress and change over time affecting his overall wellbeing and the course of his

Get Access