Mrs. Hughes Teaching Plan: Diabetes Type 2, Essay Example

This two week teaching plan is aimed to educate the patient which is aimed at promoting health with a stable blood sugar. By knowing what she is dealing with, Mrs. Hughes will be able to make the appropriate lifestyle changes. By strictly following this teaching plan, we hope to achieve the patients understanding for her need for a comprehensive treatment approach – an education towards diabetes, a regulated diet and lifestyle changes as well as long-term and short term goals for her condition.

The teaching plan is designed to educate patients who are newly diagnosed with diabetes. It explains the patients need for ongoing management towards treatment and lifestyle by over viewing the general concepts of diabetes.

1. Week 1
2. Day 1- General overview: What is diabetes type 2? (1-1.5 hours)
3. Day 2 – Blood glucose monitoring (1 hour)
4. Day 3 – Blood glucose levels (1.5 hours)
5. Day 4 – Treatment : Pills vs. Insulin (2 hours)
6. Day 5 – Possible complications (2 hours)
7. Day 6 – Skin and foot care (1 hour)
8. Day 7 – Exercise (1.5 hours)
9. Week 2
10. Day 1 – Diet (1 hour)
11. Day 2 – Diet (1 hour)
12. Day 3 – Coping with diabetes emotionally (2 hours)
13. Day 4 – Lifestyle changes (1 hour)
14. Day 5 – Genetics of Diabetes (1 – 2 hours)
15. Day 6 – Questions and answers (1 – 2 hours)
16. Day 7 – Review general concepts (2 hours)

General Overview: What is diabetes type 2?

Many Americans have been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, and many more are aware that they are in potential risk for developing it. Type 2 is the most common of form of diabetes (“Type 2”, 2010). This type of diabetes is common among the aged population, specifically African Americans, Pacific Islanders, Asian Americans as well as Latinos.

There are two possible reasons for developing type 2 diabetes; first is that the body does not produce sufficient insulin, or that the body simply ignores the insulin. The importance of having insulin in your body is so that glucose may be turned into energy for your body to use. When food is consumed, your body breaks down what you eat and turns all the sugar and starches into glucose, which serves as a basic fuel for our bodies. Insulin is responsible from controlling the sugar, and taking it from your blood cells. When there is a build-up of sugar in your cells, this can lead to diabetes.

Blood Glucose Monitoring

Blood glucose monitoring can be done at home with a simple prick test using a blood glucose monitor, which can be purchased at any pharmacy (“Monitoring your blood sugar”, 2008). There are two key elements to testing:

1. You prick your finger to get a small amount of blood, and then get a reading from the blood sugar monitor to see if it is in the acceptable range.
2. If the result comes out too high or too low, you do something about it. Such as, contact your doctor or make the correct lifestyle changes right away.

Blood Glucose Levels

You need to check your blood glucose level at least two times a day. This is done when you wake up, after meals and before going to sleep. Stress and illness may cause your blood glucose level to rise, and if it is too high, contact your physician immediately.

Treatment

Insulin cannot be taken orally, it needs to be injected in the skin, under fatty tissue. Only small insulin doses are required when treatment first begins. Insulin is injected into the patient’s system once a day, usually during the morning, or before bedtime. The dosage adjusts as the diabetes develops, and if not maintained properly, larger doses may be required.

Some patience only require an oral medication for treatment, whilst others call for both oral medication and insulin injections. This depends on the patient’s health, considering physical conditions as a factor (Campbell & White, 2006).

Possible complications

Compared to the general population, African Americans (along with other cultural groups) are disproportionately affected by diabetes. 1 out of 4 African American women over the age of 55 are diagnosed with diabetes.

Diabetes, if not maintained with a change of lifestyle and diet can lead to serious complications such as:

• Blindness
• Kidney Disease
• Amputations
• Heart disease and stroke
• Nerve damage

Skin and Foot care

Skin and foot care can prevent amputations among those suffering from diabetes. You should inspect your feet daily, and seek care early if you get a foot injury. Make sure that you also see your physician often to see if you have any foot problems you may not have noticed.

Exercise

Exercise is very important when maintaining type 2 diabetes (“Type 2 Diabetes and Exercise”, 2010). It helps control your condition by:

• Burning off excess fat
• Improving muscle strength
• Improving your body’s insulin
• Lowering blood pressure
• Promoting good blood flow

Diet

You should maintain a healthy diet to be able to control your body’s insulin level. Eating more food with whole grains, as well as fruits and vegetables is recommended for people with diabetes type 2. You need to take the necessary steps in changing your diet to ensure that your diabetes is under control. Avoiding foods which are high in sugar and fat is not enough. You need to be able to get a nutritional diet.

Coping with Diabetes

You are not alone when it comes to diabetes type 2. Patients may find that maintaining and managing their diabetes can be very demanding, and they may find that they are losing motivation. Contact your healthcare provider and do not hesitate to ask for tips on how to stay on track. You may also find information at the American Diabetes Association (ADA) through their website: http://www.diabetes.org.

Lifestyle Changes

There is no common guideline for controlling diabetes type 2. All lifestyle changes vary depending on the patient. What you must remember is that your health is very important, and this includes eating properly, monitoring your glucose level and getting sufficient exercise. Take small steps in implementing these in your day in order to maintain your diabetes.

With the proper lifestyle changes and a positive attitude, you can lower your risks of developing complications related to diabetes type 2.

Genetics of Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes has a strong genetic factor, yet it also depends on environmental factors. Diabetes is common for people who consume high amounts of fats, and not enough carbohydrates (“Type 2”, 2010). Another thing which can increase risks is lack of exercise. There are high chances of developing diabetes type two if one of your parents were diagnosed with the disease. If you are a woman and are diabetic, the chances of your child developing the disease are 1 in 7 if you were diagnosed earlier on in your life, and 1 in 13 chances if you were diagnosed over the age of 50 (“Type 2”, 2010).

Diabetes type 2 is a common disease, although this does not mean it should be taken lightly. Remember that you can control your diabetes by maintaining a healthy lifestyle which includes diet and exercise. It is also very important to monitor your blood glucose level every day, and do not hesitate in contacting your physician if you see that your blood sugar is at a high level.

Avoiding complications depends on how you respond and take action towards your diabetes type 2. Because you were diagnosed with this condition, the chances of your children developing diabetes type two increases. Remember to lead them into a healthy lifestyle as well in eating the right foods and including exercise in their daily routines.

Staying on track as well as keeping a positive attitude helps in controlling diabetes type 2. Do not lose hope. Take the first few steps in ensuring you maintain your diabetes.

References

Campbell, R.K., & White, J.R. (2006). Insulin in type 2 diabetes. Journal of the American Pharmacists Association,42(4),

Monitoring your blood sugar. (2008). Retrieved from http://www.health.com/health/condition-article/0,,20188369,00.html

Type 2. (2010). Retrieved from http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/type-2/

Type 2 diabetes and exercise. (2010). Retrieved from http://diabetes.webmd.com/guide/exercise-guidelines