Strategies for Patient Education and Alternative Treatment Essay
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) can be explored as a potential alternate kind of diabetes. The hallmark of T1D is the total absence of insulin due to the death of pancreatic beta cells. Contrary to GD, T1D necessitates lifetime insulin therapy. Apart from insulin. There are other medications available for individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D). These include glucagon like peptide 1 receptor agonists, continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII). And insulin analogs known as GLP 1 RAs. Strategies for Patient Education and Alternative Treatment Essay
Rapid-acting, short-acting, intermediate-acting, and long-acting insulin alternatives are all included in the category of insulin analogs (Courtney & Trujillo, 2021). These analogs have various durations of action and mirror the body’s normal insulin response. CSII, sometimes referred to as “insulin pump therapy,” provides a more adaptable method of administering insulin doses by continuously releasing rapid-acting insulin through a tiny device. This process may result in better glycemic control. GLP-1 RAs are mostly used to treat type 2 diabetes, but type 1 diabetes supplementary therapy is also being investigated. They aid in blood sugar regulation and may lessen the need for insulin (Cornell, 2020).
Strategies for patient education in the management and treatment of type 1 diabetes should cover a number of important topics. First and foremost, it’s critical to instruct patients on the proper methods for giving insulin injections or using insulin pump therapy (Clements et al., 2021), as well as the various types of insulin and its onset and duration of action. Patients should be informed about the importance of and correct methods for performing routine blood glucose monitoring. In order to match their insulin dosages to their food consumption and thus improve overall glycemic control, patients must master the art of carb counting. Strategies for Patient Education and Alternative Treatment Essay
Patients should also be educated on managing hypoglycemia, particularly how to spot and treat low blood sugar quickly. This involves being aware of quick-acting carbs like glucose gels or pills. Patients should also be educated on how to manage sick days, including how to modify insulin dosages during illness and keep an eye out for any potential consequences (Holt et al., 2021).
Giving patients thorough knowledge enables them to successfully control their type 1 diabetes. Ensuring regular follow ups with medical professionals and diabetes educators is of utmost importance. These appointments allow for an evaluation of the patients’ treatment effectiveness, correction of any necessary aspects and addressing potential issues or problems that may arise during their T1D journey.
References
Clements, J. N., Castelli, G., Meade, L. T., & Odom, J. M. (2021). A guide for the pharmacist’s role in insulin pump management during transitions of care. Journal of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy, 4(3), 352-363. Strategies for Patient Education and Alternative Treatment Essay
https://accpjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/jac5.1352?casa_token=8fnNe8jtOkUAAAAA:yKBrO9UhGSKTebTPUsv9D__e38D3fX9ikLceZTwZtXRY8iyV9lXBoNQtPizxXULnQVgckImisuOhD-Vq
Cornell, S. (2020). A review of GLP‐1 receptor agonists in type 2 diabetes: a focus on the mechanism of action of once‐weekly agents. Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, 45, 17-27.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jcpt.13230
Courtney, L. A., & Trujillo, J. M. (2021). DIABETES MANAGEMENT: INSULIN THERAPY. Diabetes Secrets, E-Book, 15, 59.
https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=WB9REAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA59&dq=Rapid-acting,+short-acting,+intermediate-acting,+and+long-acting+insulin+alternatives+are+all+included+in+the+category+of+insulin+analogs&ots=M46V_XwHjo&sig=QT-8wBD0ovoutTP2kesAs0Kl8Tc
Holt, R. I., DeVries, J. H., Hess-Fischl, A., Hirsch, I. B., Kirkman, M. S., Klupa, T., … & Peters, A. L. (2021). The management of type 1 diabetes in adults. A consensus report by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD). Diabetes Care, 44(11), 2589-2625.
https://diabetesjournals.org/care/article-Strategies for Patient Education and Alternative Treatment Essay abstract/44/11/2589/138492
According to the CDC, there are currently about 37 million people with diabetes in the United States, with about 8.5 million of those people still undiagnosed (2022). The different forms of diabetes that will be discussed include type 1 DM, type 2 DM, gestational DM, and juvenile DM.
Type I DM generally occurs during childhood or adolescence, with the speed of onset occurring abruptly. With type 1 diabetes, the destruction of pancreatic beta cells results in an autoimmune process requiring the patient to be on mandatory insulin therapy (Rosenthal, L., Burcham, J., 2021). Type 2 DM, a metabolic disorder, can occur in all age groups but most commonly occurs in middle age. Patients with Type 2 DM can synthesize insulin; however, symptoms result from insulin resistance and impaired insulin secretion (Rosenthal, L., Burcham, J., 2021). Type 2 DM is often associated with obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, and genetics. Patients may manage this disorder with oral medications, lifestyle changes, and in some cases, may require insulin.
Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy and subsides once the patient delivers the baby; however, half of all women with gestational diabetes develop type 2 DM later in life (CDC, 2022). There are a few factors that contribute to the development of gestational diabetes. The production of cortisol, hormones produced by the placenta, and free glucose passing from mother to fetus are all factors that contribute to gestational DM (Rosenthal, L., Burcham, J., 2021). Management of this disorder would involve a controlled diet, exercise, and often medication. Juvenile DM, once used to describe type 1 DM, is now used to describe type 1 diabetes in children and adolescents and shares the same characteristics of type 1 DM in adults, requiring insulin therapy for blood sugar regulation. Strategies for Patient Education and Alternative Treatment Essay
Drug Treatment for Type 2 DM: Metformin
As a home-healthcare nurse, metformin is one of the most common medications I see among diabetic patients. According to the ADA, metformin belongs to the class of drugs called biguanides, which work by reducing the amount of glucose produced by the liver and improving the body’s sensitivity to insulin (n.d.). Metformin is usually taken orally in tablet form 1-3 times daily with meals; it also comes in an oral solution. “Metformin is available alone in immediate-release (IR) tablets (500, 850, and 1000 mg) as Glucophage; in extended-release (ER) tablets (500, 750, and 1000 mg) as Glucophage XR, Fortamet, and Glumetza; and in an oral solution (500 mg/5 mL) as Riomet” (Rosenthal, L., Burcham, J., 2021, p.1202-1203). The dosage is determined by the patient’s condition, response to treatment, and other medications the patient may be taking. Metformin also comes in an extended-release tablet taken once a day with an evening meal and must not be crushed. This medication should be taken at the same time every day and as directed. If a patient forgets to take a dose, they should take it as soon as they remember (NIH, 2020). Metformin has a black-box warning for lactic acidosis; some medications, like bupropion, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, cephalexin and more, can increase the risk of lactic acidosis. Finally, maintaining a well-balanced diet with plenty of vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats is important while managing type 2 DM and taking metformin. The patient should tell their HCP if there are any changes in their diet, the amount of food they eat, and their exercise regimen, as these changes can alter blood glucose levels. Strategies for Patient Education and Alternative Treatment Essay
Short-term, Long-term Impacts
Short-term effects of uncontrolled type 2 diabetes can include frequent urination, excessive thirst, fatigue, blurred vision, and slow wound healing. Long-term effects can be severe and include diabetic foot ulcers, cardiovascular complications, neuropathy, kidney disease, retinopathy, and an increased risk of infections (Rosenthal, L., Burcham, J., 2021). For example, a patient with uncontrolled blood sugar levels may have a weakened immune system, increasing the risk of infections like UTIs, and skin infections. As healing times are delayed in type 2 DM patients, the risk of developing further complications, like gangrene and amputation, is greater than that of a patient without diabetes. Short-term negative effects of metformin may include decreased appetite, nausea, and diarrhea. As metformin decreases Vitamin B12 and folic acid, long-term negative effects may include deficiencies in both, leading to peripheral neuropathy (Rosenthal, L., Burcham, J., 2021).
Question:
Read a selection of the above post and respond using a different type of diabetes. Provide recommendations for alternative drug treatments and patient education strategies for treatment and management. Strategies for Patient Education and Alternative Treatment Essay