Type 1 Diabetes and It Pathological Consequences
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Type 1 Diabetes and It Pathological Consequences
Diabetes also is known as diabetes mellitus has different recognized types with the main categories as Type 1 and type 2. Diabetes has been categorized as an increasing health problem where reports by the world health organization show a high development rate of the disease and continued deaths from diabetes-related complications hence the need to address the consequences. Diabetes is a lifelong chronic illness that affects the body ability to use the energy found in food. Type 1 diabetes which is insulin dependent and begins in childhood presents an autoimmune condition where the body attacks the pancreas. The damaged pancreas ability to produce insulin inhibited. Type 1 diabetes increases medical risks in patients due to the damage it causes in the body from the destruction of the tiny vessels in the eyes to the nerves kidney and its increase in the risk of heart disease.
Causes
Type 1 diabetes has genetically predispositions where a family suffers from the consequences through the generations and can be explained by personal experiences. It is also caused by the presence of damaged beta cells in the pancreas that affects insulin production. Type 1 diabetes is immune-mediated with the destruction of insulin-producing pancreatic β cells causing impairment in the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins (Guo et al., 2014). Type on diabetes is identified in children and adolescents through the classic trio of Polydipsia, polyphagia, and polyuria associated with its onset. It triggers the need exogenous insulin which requires lifetime treatment. From the diagnosis with the disease as a child, the experiences can be evaluated from a different perspective of being highly sensitive and living a life characterized by fear of needles, people and body reactions to certain foods such when the body reacts to milk through the breaking of skin into severe red rashes (Guo et al., 2014). Other incidences as a child include severe weight loss, constant hunger and bed wetting as others remain elusive. The explanation of the development of Type 1 diabetes in childhood becomes challenging as the condition can be caused by either environmental genetic or related to viruses all leading to a differentiated life from those of other ‘normal’ children. The development of symptoms is a daily experience leading to adaptation and learning to adapt and respond to situations.
Complications
The risk of the effects of type 1 diabetes-related complications can be reduced. The process of management for diabetic individuals includes keeping blood pressure, blood glucose and cholesterol levels within the recommended range (Guo et al., 2014). The management of the condition is diverse as it requires the maintenance of a healthy weight, healthy eating, and avoidance of indulgences in alcohol and smoking. The most effective management of Type 1 diabetes is the management of body sugar through insulin administration to the body. The constant blood glucose tests and insulin injections which become part of everyday life comprise of the delicate management skills developed for proper management (Freeborn et al., 2013). Precision in drawing insulin in a syringe and injections to specific parts of the body such as the stomach, learning to work the meter for testing blood glucose. It's relevant also the determination of whether the blood glucose is too high or too low, healthy eating habits and intensive care to prevent the development of complications are some of the significant adaptation that individuals have to make.
Consequences
Poor control of diabetes triggers several the results of type 1 diabetes which include retinopathy, neuropathy, cardiovascular disease, and hypoglycemia. The current medication for the management of type diabetes is insulin which facilitates the achievement of glycemic control. Despite the discovery of insulin for therapeutic monitoring of type 1 diabetes, the exogenous insulin replacement does not always guarantee and provide the metabolism regulation necessary to avoid complications (Freeborn et al., 2013). Type 1 diabetes remains difficult to control due to the decrease in endogenous insulin. Thus when the pancreas fails to produce sufficient insulin, the cells become starved of energy and excess sugar is present in the low (Guo et al., 2014). The condition facilitates the dangerous conditions of hypoglycemia, low blood sugar, and hyperglycemia, high blood sugar. When hypoglycemia occurs, the body has low blood glucose; cells fail to receive enough glucose and patients suffer a loss of consciousness, confusion, and coma. The events can also lead to death especially when the brain is deprived of glucose for too long.
Low blood glucose and prolonged absence of insulin may lead to ketoacidosis. The condition results from the accumulation of ketones in the blood when the body uses fat for energy instead of glucose. The reason for ketones accumulation is because fatty acids cannot be converted into glucose at a steady state. Ketones make the blood acidic and slow down all body functions leading to a coma and eventually death (Guo et al., 2014). Personal care to reduce complications of Type 1 diabetes includes learning how to self-inject insulin which involves pricking one's finger and injecting synthetic insulin several times a day.
Long-term effects
Type 1 diabetes possess various complications such as the risk of damage to macrovascular and micro vascular blood vessels which increase the risk of heart attack stroke, problems with eyes, kidneys, gums feet, and nerves. Living with Type 1 diabetes changes experiences and life occurrences of a person in dramatic ways. At the initial stages, it triggers feelings of desperation for safety with small issues turning to shake sweating and messy due to fear (Freeborn et al., 2013). Diagnosis with Type 1 diabetes leads to making decisions on pursuing interests that are essential and contributes to improved practices and adaptations. Indulging in activities such as cross-country ski team and picking those that make a difference and those which I excelled at such as the musical classes, including wind ensemble, orchestra, madrigal choir, and jazz band.
Type 1 diabetes is also expensive to maintain and requires health insurance to cover the expenses. Each insulin dosage and the high prices of test strips are costly which make one question the high cost for the most preventive part of type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes as a lifelong disease has affected my decisions on education and careers, with the absolute need for health insurance, the decisions on what to pursue become dependent on price and the ability of the profession to offer adequate health coverage. It limits the carefree impetuous and spontaneous lifestyle (American Diabetes Association. 2018) as an individual is forced to become more responsible and embrace preparations and becoming organized in every adventure and situations. For example, every decision requires extra thought, for example, a weekend adventure may mean counting out the insulin needles necessary and having a clear and precise estimation of the number of granola bars required for a particular practice. The experience with Type 1 diabetes has forced me to grow up and become responsible for myself putting in mind the consequences for simple actions such as forgetting to bring an extra needle or snack.
Conclusion
Diabetes is a lifelong chronic disease has many pathological consequences which the community needs to know. There is a need to raise awareness and emphasize the need to be diagnosed early enough as well as understanding the symptoms of immediate recognition and seeking treatment. Knowing that there is hope for individuals diagnosed with type 1 diabetes is essential. Despite the continuous need for injections, glucose tests and the need for maintaining healthy lifestyles and extra care, the life changes are manageable.
References
American Diabetes Association. (2018).Diabetes statistics. Available from http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/diabetes-statistics/?utm_source=WWW&utm_medium=DropDownDB&utm_content=Statistics&utm_campaign=CON.
Freeborn, D., Dyches, T., Rope, S.O., & Mandleco, B. (2013). Identifying challenges of living with type 1 diabetes: child and youth perspectives. Journal of Clinical Nursing. Vol. 22, pp. 1890–1898
Guo, J., Whittemore, R., Jeon, S., Grey, M., Zhou, Z., He, G., & Luo, Z. (2014). Diabetes self-management, depressive symptoms, metabolic control and satisfaction with quality of life over time in Chinese youth with type 1 diabetes. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 24(9-10), 1258-1268. doi:10.1111/jocn.12698