Academic Report On Dementia And Diabeties

Running head: ACADEMIC REPORT ON DEMENTIA AND DIABETES MELLITUS 1
Academic Report on Dementia and Diabetes Mellitus
Student Name:
Institution of Affiliation:
Date:
A. Selection of Persons

ACADEMIC REPORT ON DEMENTIA AND DIABETES MELLITUS 2
I have chosen to explore two persons, Liam and Oliver who are experiencing chronic
health issues, dementia, and diabetes mellitus correspondingly. Liam and Oliver are aged 45 and
14 respectively. Generally, dementia entails severe changes in an individual’s brain that
contribute to the loss of memory. The changes are also linked to making it hard for the victim to
carry out the day-to-day basic activities. It translates to changed personality and behavior. The
disease affects three brain areas such as memory, language, and decision making. Liam is
experiencing Alzheimer’s disease which is among the common types of chronic disease. On the
other hand, Oliver is experiencing Type 1 Diabetes which is a chronic health condition also
referred to as insulin-dependent diabetes. In general, diabetes mellitus that is commonly referred
to as diabetes entails multiple conditions that involve how bodies turn food to energy. Oliver’s
condition was initially referred to as juvenile-onset diabetes due to the fact that it starts in
childhood. Therefore, Oliver is experiencing an autoimmune condition that occurs when his
pancreas was attacked by his body with its antibodies. This attack contributed to the damaging of
the organ to the extent that it could no longer produce insulin.
2. a. Holistic History
Liam experiences Alzheimer’s disease that is the most common dementia type. The
patient experienced the early signs of the disease such as forgetting recent events and names,
depression together with depressed mood. Nonetheless, depression was not part of the disease
but a distinct disorder that calls for a specific treatment. The disease was characterized by the
death of brain cells whose progress contributed to experiences such as changes in moods and
confusion. Additionally, Liam indicated troubles in walking and speaking. The diagnosis of
Liam’s condition was not a single test. His doctor carried out a physical examination, carefully
examined his medical history, lab tests together with the assessment of other characteristic

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changes in day-to-day behavior, thinking, and functioning associated with all types of dementia.
The doctor determined that Liam was suffering from dementia with ease but it was challenging
to determine the exact type of the disease due to the fact that there can be an overlap of
symptoms and changes in the brain for various dementias. Initially, Liam had consulted doctors
who diagnosed dementia but could not identify the exact type. After consulting a neurologist the
disease was identified to be Alzheimer’s disease.
After the diagnosis, Liam obtained the appropriate medication. Depending on the stage of
the disease, Liam was subjected to immediate treatment of the disease that ranged from mild to a
moderate situation. Due to the fact that the disease is complex, it is not likely that the
administration of any drug or other interventions can conclusively treat it. The present-day
approaches aim at assisting the victims in the maintenance of their mental functions,
management of behavioral systems together with slowing down the symptoms of the disease.
Cholinesterase inhibitors were administered to help in the reduction of various symptoms hence
helping in the control of various symptomatic behaviors. The medication included galantamine,
rivastigmine, and donepezil. According to scientists, the cholinesterase facilitates the prevention
of the acetylcholine breakdown, which is a brain chemical that is thought to be crucial for
thinking and memory. The progression of the disease makes the brain to produce less and less
acetylcholine hence the inhibitors end up losing their effect. Some of the side effects witnessed
after the administration of Aricept include fatigue and nausea.
Oliver contracted Type 1 diabetes in his childhood. According to him, he had obese in his
childhood. Consequently, the pancreas was attacked by his body antibodies. This led to the
destruction of the pancreas to the extent that it could not produce the pancreas. The symptoms of
this disease appeared relatively suddenly whereby they included blurred vision, increased thirst,

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frequent urination, and extreme hunger, an increase in unintended weight, weakness, and fatigue
amongst others. A diagnostic test was carried out whereby a random blood sugar test was
conducted. The process entailed taking a blood sample from the patient at a random time that
was confirmed by a repeat test. The results indicated that the patient was indeed suffering from
type 1 diabetes. The doctor carried out blood tests with the aim of checking autoantibodies,
which are deemed common in this type of diabetes mellitus. The test was quite benevolent in
enabling the doctor to differentiate whether it was type 1 or type 2 diabetes. The breakdown of
fat indicated the presence of ketones in the patient’s urine indicated that it was type 1 diabetes.
Following the diagnosis, Oliver commenced a regular visit to the doctor for a discussion
on the management of the disease. The A1C levels of the patient were checked by the doctor.
The aim of the medication was to maintain the A1C level below seven percent which is
equivalent to 8.5 mmol per liter. By comparing the recurrent daily tests on the blood sugar, A1C
level would indicate how the patient’s treatment for diabetes is working. Moreover, Oliver’s
doctor periodically took samples of urine and blood to assess the levels of cholesterol, liver,
thyroid, and kidney function. The doctor also examined the patient to assess his blood pressure
and he checked the sites whereby the victim tests his blood sugar and deliver insulin. The
diagnosis was followed by immediate treatment in accordance with the doctor’s advice such as
taking insulin, regular monitoring of blood sugar, consumption of healthy food, regular
exercising together with the maintenance of healthy weight, and protein, fat and carbohydrate
counting. In addition to the advice on the diet, the doctor administered insulin through an
injection. It is important to note that insulin cannot be administered orally since it will be broken
down in the stomach by enzymes hence rendering it inactive. The doctor used a syringe in
injecting the insulin under the patient’s skin. The use of a syringe necessitates the insulin type