Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not generate or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone produced in the body that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life (Wan). Prevalence

Diabetes is among the five leading causes of death by diseases in most countries. However, what exactly cause diabetes is still unknown, but both genetics and environmental elements such as overweight and lack of exercise are recognized as diabetes-induced factors (Minaker). According to Piette et al., the global prevalence of diabetes mellitus is expected to double from 171 million to 366 million over the next 20 years and "developing countries will likely experience 80% of this burden" (Piette, et al., 2010, p. 56).

Signs and Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes may include unexplained weight loss, constant hunger, weight gain, flu-like symptoms including weakness, fatigue, blurred vision, slow healing of cuts or bruises, tingling or loss of feeling in hands or feet, recurring gum or skin infections and recurring vaginal or bladder infections (Causes and Symptoms). Symptoms can also include "swelling in the hands and feet, nausea, fatigue, headaches, and sleep problems" (National, 2010).

Risk Factors

Lack of physical movement has also been a factor in determining diabetes mainly because it uses up glucose as energy. Another consideration is that depression can increase the risk of contracting diabetes, this is likely due to depressed individuals tend to gain weight and be less active than non-depressed individuals. Another factor to consider is whether the patient has a parent or sibling that also has diabetes.

Early Detection - Several reports suggest that screening programs targeting individuals with multiple diabetes risk factors (i.e. advanced age, obesity, and family history of diabetes) may be worthwhile (Lee, Lindahl, Ko).

Disease Management

Diabetes care mainly consists of self-care. Diabetes patients themselves have to regulate their blood glucose levels by monitoring their blood glucose levels and by balancing their food intake, physical activities and their intake of oral hypoglycaemic agents and/or insulin. The overall treatment goal is to prevent acute and chronic complications,...

One recent study showed that such education did not really address the physical aspects of diabetes, but it did present "improved diabetes treatment satisfaction and patient empowerment" (George, Valdovinos, Russell, Dromgoole, Lomax, Togerson, Wells, Thow, 2008, p. 1452). Other pre-diabetes education can help as well. Interventions can also be offered that address the importance of weight loss and a healthy lifestyle, studies have shown that these interventions work.
Health Assessment Strategies

Along with educating patients and pre-diabetic individuals, assessing risks and health related problems is an important component to treating diabetes. Some of the assessment strategies that are in place include assessing patients for deteriorating eyesight, manual dexterity, and by checking the patient's ability to check glucose levels and administer treatments or insulin accurately. Other assessments will need to take place to determine peripheral neuropathy, pain, stiffness from arthritis or paralysis after a stroke. Assessing the diabetic client's mind set is also very important. Depression can play a debilitating role on a diabetic's body and it is important to assess the patient's overall mental and physical condition in order to ascertain any current or future health issues. Expected normal findings will include all of the above problems as well as possible ulcers and sores, especially on the patient's appendages. As the patient progresses through the effects of diabetes, other expectations can include Chronic Kidney Disease, hypertension, low blood sugar, fluctuating blood pressures, poor eyesight along with neuropathy. Some of the abnormal findings that diabetes can display are gastroparesis, and retinopathy although both of these problems do consistently display themselves, they are not seen as much as the other effects of diabetes.

Assessment technique -- insulin delivery

An example of how a nurse or paraprofessional might assess the patient's capability to self-administer insulin is through the following procedure; the…