Five Key Challenges that Face Nurses in their Role to Improve Diabetes Care and to Empower Patients to Develop Self-Management and Life Skills Introduction Worldwide it is estimated that there are approximately 346 million people with diabetes. The World Health Organisation (2012) defines diabetes as a ‘chronic disease, which occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces.’ As a result this causes the glucose concentration in the blood to increase (hyperglycaemia). The focus of this assignment is the most prevalent Type 2 diabetes, which accounts for almost 90% of people with diabetes (NICE 2012), and complications associated with this condition. Also known as ‘non-insulin-dependent’ or ‘adult-onset diabetes’, type 2 diabetes is caused by the body’s inability to manage insulin effectively. It can often result from possessing excess body weight and the lack of any physical activity (WHO 2012).
Water filters from the blood through the kidneys. Urine is also formed through the kidneys (helps remove wastes). When blood enters the kidney from the renal artery, it moves into the glomerulus, where filtration occurs. This is where water and dissolved particles are pulled out of the blood, resulting in a filtrate, which is then collected by the Bowman’s capsule. The nephron itself will then restore the vital nutrients and water back into the blood, while retaining the waste products the needs to eliminate, through the proximal and distal tubules.
This is shortening the amount of time the patients are spending in hospitals which leads to the betterment of their lives while dealing with the disease. As well, cancer patients can spend less time in the hospital because of the technological advancements of home health care. Home chemotherapy treatments and tele-care (video conferencing with your doctor) makes these resources available to a wider range of people. Doctors can set up homecare, which come and do these procedures for the patient in the comfort of their own homes. Elderly people, or people without regular access to transit and/or who live in rural areas, can now contact their oncologist without having to drive an hour and a half or more to their nearest office.
Plasma and red blood cells transport substances to or away from cell. White blood cells and platelets are parts of the immune system. Blood plasma is mostly made up of water which is from respiration and is absorbed from the large intestine. Water can also be reabsorbed from the kidney. This is very important as this allows osmosis occurs in our bodies.
Treatments can be considered as preventions as well. Medicines to treat CAD include Lipid therapy, antihypertensive, and anti platelets. Lipid therapy consists of maintaining an LDL less than 100mg per dl. High blood cholesterol, a waxy, fat-like substance, builds up in the arteries. The higher the blood cholesterol level is the greater risk.
1) Coronary artery disease occurs when fatty deposits called plaque build up inside the coronary arteries. The coronary arteries wrap around the heart and supply it with blood and oxygen. When plaque builds up, it narrows the arteries and reduces the amount of blood that gets to your heart. This can lead to serious problems, including heart attack. 2) Coronary artery disease is usually caused by a build-up of fatty deposits on the walls of the coronary arteries.
Hypertension, if left untreated can cause long-term damage to the cardiovascular system, the renal system and the eyes. It can also be a significant risk factor for myocardial infarction, cardiovascular accident, renal failure and loss of sight. “The number of people with hypertension continues to rise in the UK and worldwide, placing enormous social, economical and health burden on the sufferers, their dependants and statutory health care providers” (Chummun 2011). As a nurse, detecting hypertension and appropriate management can improve a patient’s life. Hypertension can be treated and controlled through lifestyle changes and/or medication, thus reducing the risk factors.
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a serious condition that can lead to diabetic coma (passing out for a long time) or even death. When your cells don't get the glucose they need for energy, your body begins to burn fat for energy, which produces ketones. Ketones are acids that build up in the blood and appear in the urine when your body doesn't have enough insulin. They are a warning sign that your diabetes is out of control or that you are getting
According to the WebMD, LDL collects in the walls of blood vessels, causing the blockages of atherosclerosis. Higher LDL levels put you at greater risk for a heart attack from a sudden blood clot in an artery narrowed by atherosclerosis (LDL Cholesterol: The Bad Cholesterol, 2005-2013). Saturated fats can be found in foods like milk, cheese, meat, tropical oils, such as coconut
The Human Resource Management team has the ability to make the necessary changes to combat the nursing shortage. Rearranging workloads amongst staff members alone would help immensely. The majority of nurses experience burnout from a combination of factors such as age, emotional tiredness, depersonalization in the work area, and a feeling of underachievement being that so many tasks are placed on any one individual. We must remember that illness will always be around. Without the help of Human Resources, the problem of maintaining a healthy patient to nurse ratio will continue to grow.