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Assignment for Anatomy and Physiology for Nurses 2: SCIE16428

Krishna Patel

Sheridan College

SCIE16428 Human Anatomy & Physiology for Nurses 2

Barnett, Laura

November 6th, 2023

a. Introduction to Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes, also referred to as diabetes mellitus, is a chronic metabolic illness characterized by

elevated blood glucose (sugar) levels (Kaul et al., 2012). The health of the patient is greatly

impacted by this disease since it can cause several issues that damage different body systems.

Nursing care for patients with diabetes is crucial in helping them manage their condition

effectively and prevent complications (Kaul et al., 2012).

b. Anatomy and Physiology

It is essential to understand the fundamentals of the endocrine system and glucose control to

comprehend how diabetes impairs normal anatomical and physiological activities.

The pancreas, which is a key role in diabetes, is one of the organs that make up the endocrine

system (Alrefai et al., 2002). The hormone insulin, which controls how cells absorb and use

glucose, is produced by the pancreas (Alrefai et al., 2002). In a healthy individual, the pancreas

releases insulin in response to an increase in blood sugar following a meal. Insulin helps move

glucose into cells where it is converted into energy and stored in the muscles and liver (Alrefai et

al., 2002). Hence, the blood sugar levels are kept within a certain range by this mechanism.

c. Disruption of Normal Functions

Diabetes mellitus comes in two primary forms: Type 1 and Type 2, each with a unique etiology.

Initial Diabetes: The immune system accidentally attacks and destroys the beta cells in the

pancreas that make insulin, resulting in the development of an autoimmune illness (Janghorbani

et al., 2007). People with Type 1 diabetes therefore can’t produce insulin. High blood sugar
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levels result from glucose's inability to enter cells in the absence of insulin (Janghorbani et al.,

2007).

Type 2 Diabetes: Insulin resistance and decreased insulin production are commonly linked to

Type 2 diabetes, the most prevalent kind of the disease (Gerstein et al., 2008). The pancreas still

makes insulin under this situation, but it is not well absorbed by the body's cells, and the

pancreas might not make enough of it to make up for it (Gerstein et al., 2008). Hence, Blood

sugar levels rise as a result.

Both forms of diabetes interfere with the control of glucose, which can result in hyperglycemia

(high blood sugar) and could harm the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, nerves, and other

organs (Janghorbani et al., 2007).

d. Implications for Patient Health and Nursing Care

Diabetes may have a serious effect on a patient's health. Increased thirst, frequent urination,

fatigue, unexplained weight loss, blurred vision, slow wound healing, and tingling or numbness

in the limbs are common symptoms of diabetes (Control et al., 1993). Uncontrolled diabetes can

eventually result in serious side effects such neuropathy, blindness, renal failure, cardiovascular

disease, and an elevated risk of infections (Control et al., 1993).

Diabetes patients receive nursing care that includes teaching them about a healthy diet, exercise

routine, and medication administration. Nurses give insulin or other drugs, check blood sugar

levels, and offer patients who are managing a chronic illness emotional support. They also

encourage routine check-ups, foot care, and eye examinations, which aid patients in managing

and preventing problems.

To sum up, Diabetes's disruptive effects call for an all-encompassing, patient-centered approach

to care. Patient education, following medication regimens, and the emotional impact of a chronic

illness can all present difficulties for nurses providing care. To maintain patients' general health,

avoid problems, and enhance their quality of life, nurses are essential. To meet the changing

demands of diabetes treatment, nursing care may adapt by using technology for patient

empowerment, remote monitoring, and ongoing education.

References

Kaul, K., Tarr, J. M., Ahmad, S., Kohner, E. M., & Chibber, R. (2012). Introduction to diabetes

mellitus. In Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology (pp. 1–

11). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-5441-0_1

Alrefai, H., Allababidi, H., Levy, S., & Levy, J. (2002). The endocrine system in diabetes

mellitus. Endocrine Journal, 18(2), 105–120. https://doi.org/10.1385/endo:18:2:105

Janghorbani, M., Van Dam, R. M., Willett, W. C., & Hu, F. B. (2007). Systematic review of

Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes mellitus and Risk of fracture. American Journal of

Epidemiology, 166(5), 495–505. https://doi.org/10.1093/aje/kwm106

Gerstein, H. C., Miller, M. E., Byington, R. P., Goff, D. C., Bigger, J. T., Buse, J. B., Cushman,

W. C., Genuth, S., Ismail‐Beigi, F., Grimm, R. H., Probstfield, J. L., Simons‐Morton, D.

G., & Friedewald, W. T. (2008). Effects of intensive glucose lowering in type 2

diabetes. The New England Journal of Medicine, 358(24), 2545–

2559. https://doi.org/10.1056/nejmoa0802743

Control, D., Nathan, D. M., Genuth, S., Lachin, J. M., Cleary, P. A., Crofford, O. B., Davis, M.

D., Rand, L. I., & Siebert, C. (1993). The effect of intensive treatment of diabetes on the

development and progression of Long-Term complications in Insulin-Dependent diabetes

mellitus. The New England Journal of Medicine, 329(14), 977–

986. https://doi.org/10.1056/nejm199309303291401