Importance of Self-Care in Diabetes Type 1

The provided content discusses the importance of self-care and healthy lifestyle choices for individuals with Diabetes Type 1. The text highlights the need to teach patients about the importance of self- care, as well as the importance of exercise, diet, and regular check-ups. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of addressing the key factors behind weight loss and obesity, which can worsen symptoms or progress the disease. It also touches on the levels of prevention for diabetes, including primary, secondary, and tertiary levels. Furthermore, it mentions the Health Promotion Model (HPM) by Nola J Pender, which emphasizes the need to consider individual characteristics, experiences, and behavioral outcomes in promoting healthy lifestyles. Finally, it mentions nursing ethics, emphasizing the importance of nurses in guiding patients towards a healthier lifestyle.

DIABETES TYPE I 1
DIABETES TYPE 1
SCHOOL OF NURSING

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ABSTRACT
In this, there is a detailed description of the physical assessment, pathophysiology,
pharmacology, health promotion and levels of prevention of Diabetes Type 1. Type I
Diabetes is genetic in nature. It runs among the close relatives in the family. There are few
ways which we will identify here in which its onset is delayed or may be deviated. Type I
Diabetes has a very early onset because of which it is also called juvenile diabetes. It is
necessary to prevent it so that the patient can lead a better life. Physical assessment of the
diabetic patient is very important as it helps in early detection of complications. There are
many drugs available in the market which can stop the progress of the disease. The disease is
autoimmune in nature. Using immune suppressive medication may help in many cases. There
are many health promotion measures which can be taken to control the onset and further
progress of diabetes. There are various levels of prevention which can be utilised depending
on the stage of diabetes. Also, there are various nursing models which will help in preventing
further progress of the disease.

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DIABETES TYPE I
There are many types of diabetes. It is a group of metabolic disorders. In this, there are high
levels of blood sugar for a prolonged duration. There are many symptoms associated with it
such as frequent urination, increased thirst and increased hunger.
Diabetes cannot be left untreated as it can result in diabetic ketoacidosis, hyperosmolar coma
or even death. It is important to treat diabetes right from the start as a later diagnosis could
lead to severe health effects if left untreated. It has severe cardiovascular implications.
Three Types of Diabetes
Type I Diabetes - This is a failure of the pancreas to produce insulin. The cause is unknown.
But in this, the onset is in early life. As the pancreas don’t produce any insulin. Diabetes sets
in at a very early age.
Type II Diabetes - This is a condition when the cells become resistant to insulin. They do not
recognise insulin and as the disease progresses there is also a lack of insulin. The primary
cause of this is a poor lifestyle and dietary habits. There is a gain in body weight due to a
sedentary lifestyle and lack of exercise.
Gestational Diabetes - This mainly occurs during pregnancy. There is no previous history of
diabetes. Generally, it goes off once the delivery takes place. In some, it may remain for a
longer duration.

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Pathophysiology of Type 1 Diabetes
This is due to the destruction of beta cells of the pancreas. This is due to genetic or
environmental factors. This mostly is an autoimmune response of the body towards the beta
cells of the pancreas. These cells produce insulin. So in absence of beta cells, no insulin
production takes place.
Physical Assessment Of Patients with Type 1 Diabetes
The examination of diabetes includes assessment of the vital signs, vascular examination,
funduscopic examination and foot examination.
Assessment Of Vital Signs
In this case, if the patient is having diabetes he/she will be having orthostatic hypotension.
Orthostatic vital signs are useful in assessing the volume status. Measurement of the pulse is
also important. There is tachycardia in autonomic neuropathy. There is often the
development of orthostatic hypotension. If the respiratory pattern suggests Kussmaul
respiration, DKA must be considered.
There is also a careful examination of the retina. There should be optic disc and the macula
are visualised. If any haemorrhages are seen in the eyes refer to the ophthalmologist
immediately. Examiners should be properly experienced about retinopathy and he should not
ignore it under any circumstance. Its evaluation of retinopathy requires dilated pupils. The
pulsations over dorsal pedis and posterior tibia are felt and their presence and absence are
noted.
Examination of lower extremities is important for the patients with foot infections .If the
blood flow in the lower extremity is low then it can delay healing. There can also be

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amputation in extreme cases. If peripheral neuropathy is found then appropriate steps need to
be taken. Hence the personnel must be aware of foot care.
Pharmacology of Type 1 Diabetes
These patients need to be on lifelong insulin therapy. They may require two or more
injections on a daily basis. The doses of insulin are adjusted as per the fluctuating glucose
level. This is monitored by self-care. In this disease, there is a requirement of discipline in the
day to day life.
In some patients, there can be episodes of diabetic ketoacidosis followed with a symptom-
free period in which the person might require no insulin. This Insulin Free State is due to the
partial return of endogenous excretion. These patients need to be taught the importance of
self-care.
Diabetes type 1 requires being taken care of, as the blood glucose level decides the amount of
insulin to be taken. ADA recommends that patient’s age can be one of the considerations of
the amount of insulin and the glycemic goals. There is also a requirement of screening for
long-term complications. In few cases, pancreatic transplantation is one of the options
considered. It is one of the end-stage treatments.
Health Promotion Activity
Exercise is crucial for patients with diabetes. It has many mental and health benefits. It has
been seen that most people with diabetes do not indulge in exercise. Exercise is a very crucial
part to have good health in diabetes (Liese et al, 2013). Regular weight checkups along with
regular blood sugar checkups are necessary .It is important to keep the risk of obesity at bay.
Obesity makes diabetes worse.

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It is important to make people understand the short term and long term complications of
diabetes (Naughton et al, 2014). Diabetes type 1 is an early onset disease which tends to
continue lifelong. So it is important to make them feel positive. Initiate positive change in
them so that they can fight the disease.
Diet should be based on whole grain diet instead of starch based. The food has to be rich in
fibres such as oats, beans, peas, lentils, grains, seeds and fruits. It is important to follow a
low-fat diet and not consume any processed foods. Eat a healthy breakfast to avoid
hypoglycaemia. Minimise the sedentary lifestyle. Effective weight loss programmes can be
joined which have many types of exercises to choose from. By keeping weight in check and
eating a balanced diet is very essential and it can serve as key elements to controlling
diabetes. Moderate daily exercise for 30 minutes is required. Also, it is important to use the
community resources such as the community hall to provide awareness to the people. It is
important to address the key factor behind the increasing weight loss.
The diseases associated with diabetes need to be checked. The factors causing aggravation of
symptoms or progress of the disease has to be taken care of. The patients need to understand
various education and health services which will help to detect the early onset of diabetes.
Educating people for the early detection of the sign of diabetes is important (Giordano et al,
2014).
Levels of Prevention of Diabetes
The prevention is divided into 3 levels - Primary, Secondary and Tertiary levels.
Primary Prevention - This is for the individuals where there are no signs of autoimmune or
metabolic impairment and there is uncertainty that diabetes will actually develop or not.

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In this, all the dietary interventions are involved which may cause an environment for the
trigger of Diabetes type 1. There is no specific dietary modification. There have been many
observations such as Gluten involvement in the diet. It has been seen that if gluten is
restricted in the diet then the autoimmune development of type 1 diabetes can be checked as
there is less of consumption of carbohydrates and sugar.
Secondary Prevention - Nicotinamide is a water-soluble vitamin. It has shown that it has
shown increased insulin synthesis. It is given in prior to avoid the onset of diabetes. It
prevents the spontaneous increase of diabetes in non-obese patients.
Anti specific therapy-In this there is the appropriate administration of an autoantigen. It has
the potential of controlling the autoimmune response of the body to cause the destruction of
pancreatic cells. It directs the immune system for protective rather that destructive function.
Insulin- It is the most specific B-cell antigen (Brazeau et al, 2013).
Proinsulin peptide- There can be the intradermal administration of proinsulin peptide.
Glutamic Acid gecarboxylase-This is also injected and delayed diabetes type 1 inception has
been seen.
Immunomodulation- In this, there is immune suppression with low dose cyclosporine in the
first degree relatives of patients.
Tertiary Prevention - It is after the inception of diabetes. In this, there is dietary control and
maintain a good diet. In this, the motive is to control further worsening of the disease. There
is a regular exercise for weight loss. Diabetes comes with many complications. It is important
to prevent the complications.

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Trials with ciclosporin A – This drug has demonstrated better beta cells survival. Also,
immune suppressive therapies are administered. There are extensive trials going on these
areas where immunosuppressives are given so that the destruction of the autoimmune system
to the pancreatic cells can be checked.
Health Promotion Model (HPM) by Nola J Pender
Nola J Pender is the former professor of nursing at the University of Michigan. Her model
has mainly three areas of focus. Firstly individual characteristics and their experiences.
Secondly the behaviour specific cognition and its effect and thirdly the behavioural
outcomes.
In this, there are background factors that influence health and behaviour. The patients are
expected to engage in activity which will get us the desired result. In this, there are changes
in behaviour adapted to achieve a healthy lifestyle. In the case of diabetes type 1, there is a
requirement of eating healthy and exercise regularly. All these changes will help in achieving
better diabetic control. The individual experiences of the patient have to be considered while
giving medication and deciding on their diet. If proper diet and exercise pattern are followed
then the onset of complication in Diabetes Type 1 can be delayed.
Nursing Ethics
This guides the nurses every day to make correct use of their knowledge and skills for the
care and healing of the patient. In this, the nurses must ensure that the diabetic patient should
understand the meaning of self-care. He should be able to follow a balanced diet. There is a
requirement to be sensitive about the regular glucose checks. Also, patients must understand

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the importance of exercise. The patient should be aware of the complications of diabetes and
he must know that if he is not taking care of himself it can have serious implication on health.
Self-care by an alteration in behaviour can help to achieve proper control over diabetes type 1
as it has an early onset and it continues lifelong. The patient is required to develop a proper
routine and healthy diet and exercise should be a part of his lifestyle. It is good to avoid the
complications of diabetes for as long as possible. Hence patient should develop a good
lifestyle. Early onset of complication can shorten the life expectancy. Hence it is the duty of
the nurse to encourage proper behavioural changes in the patient.

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References
Liese, A. D., Ma, X., Maahs, D. M., & Trilk, J. L. (2013). Physical activity, sedentary
behaviors, physical fitness, and their relation to health outcomes in youth with type 1 and
type 2 diabetes: A review of the epidemiologic literature. Journal of Sport and Health
Science, 2(1), 21-38.
Naughton, M. J., Joyce, P., Morgan, T. M., Seid, M., Lawrence, J. M., Klingensmith, G. J., ...
& SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth Study Group. (2014). Longitudinal associations between
sex, diabetes self-care, and health-related quality of life among youth with type 1 or type 2
diabetes mellitus. The Journal of pediatrics, 164(6), 1376-1383.
Brazeau, A. S., Mircescu, H., Desjardins, K., Leroux, C., Strychar, I., Ekoe, J. M., & Rabasa-
Lhoret, R. (2013). Carbohydrate counting accuracy and blood glucose variability in adults
with type 1 diabetes. Diabetes research and clinical practice, 99(1), 19-23.
Giordano, S., Martocchia, A., Toussan, L., Stefanelli, M., Pastore, F., Devito, A., ... &
Falaschi, P. (2014). Diagnosis of hepatic glycogenosis in poorly controlled type 1 diabetes
mellitus. World journal of diabetes, 5(6), 882.