Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Term Paper Example

Age impacts on prognosis or progression of the disease

Currently, there is no cure for diabetes mellitus. However, the quality of life of the older age group is much better that during the earlier life span. Diabetes mellitus occurring in the earlier age group has a different etiology as well as prognosis and progression. Scientists believe that the etiology has a great impact on prognosis and progression despite the age differences. In age 0-35 years old the established cause is destruction of beta cells (Feinglos & Angelyn, 2008).

This means that the individual will have to receive insulin all their life and cope with complications at an earlier age than the older adult. Many children are found in this age group and unless a transplant is done their life expectancy is greatly reduced. The quality of life is also severely compromised (Feinglos & Angelyn, 2008).

Impact of age on nursing care/ management of diabetes mellitus

Modern approaches to of diabetes mellitus care are focused on patients acquiring skills to self -manage the condition. In the younger age group 0 35where there is a prevalence of children self- management is impossible. Parents and care givers have to play a significant role in facilitating control, risk factors, hyperglycemia and complications. In the older age group patients self-administer insulin and take oral medications as prescribed. They even check blood glucose levels themselves (Feinglos & Angelyn, 2008).

References

Chiang, J.Kirkman, M. Laffel, L., & Peters, A.. (2014). Type 1 Diabetes Through the Life

Span: A Position Statement of the American Diabetes Association. Diabetes Care 37 (7): 2034–2054

Feinglos, M., & Angelyn, M. (2008). Type 2 diabetes mellitus: an evidence –based approach to practical management. Totowa, NJ: Humana Press