Understanding Diabetes Care : Assignment Brief

Understanding
Diabetes Care

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1 ...........................................................................................................................................3
1.1 Discuss the reasons for increase in Type 2 Diabetes in the population................................3
1.2 Explain the signs and symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes...........................................................5
TASK 2 ...........................................................................................................................................6
2.1 Compare and contrast the clinical investigations associated with diagnosis of Type 2
Diabetes.......................................................................................................................................6
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................8
3.1 Explain the Treatment and support available for service users when initially diagnosed
with Type 2 Diabetes..................................................................................................................8
3.2 Discuss the common complications associated with Type 2 Diabetes delivery in the health
and social care sector..................................................................................................................9
3.3 Explain the treatment and support available for service users with long term complications
of Type 2 Diabetes....................................................................................................................10
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
Diabetes refers to a health problem that affects capability of human body to produce or
use of insulin which is a hormone. Insulin is helpful to transport generated energy (sugar or
glucose) by food to the cells. However, diabetes occurs when blood glucose levels too high in
body of an individual. It is necessary for people to focus on their health and take balanced diet to
avoid disease like Diabetes Type 2 (Tiktin, Celik and Berard, 2016). The given report is based on
National Health Service (NHS) that is known as publicly funded national healthcare system for
England. It can be considered as one of the four national health services to every constituent
country of the United Kingdom largest single payer healthcare system in the world. This
assignment will focus on reasons for increase in Type diabetes on the population and signs &
symptoms of it. It will also include comparison and contrast the clinical clinical investigations
associated with diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes. The treatment and related complications along
with their treatment or support available for services users diagnosed with diabetes is given
below.
TASK 1
1.1 Discuss the reasons for increase in Type 2 Diabetes in the population
Diabetes can be described as a type of disease when human body loses the ability to
generate or utilise insulin hormone for transporting energy (sugar or glucose) to the cells.
Reduced amount of insulin secretion is responsible for generating problem of diabetes for an
individual. However, diabetes can be classified into several categorise in which Diabetes Type 2
is mostly observed in people in current scenario. Meanwhile, Diabetes Type 2 refers to a
condition that begin as insulin resistance which reflects about situation of human body of not
using insulin efficiently (Noor, Khan and Ahmad, 2017). Moreover, it will stimulate pancreas to
produce more insulin due to no longer demand which results into reduction in secretion of this
hormone that leads to high sugar levels in body. It has been analysed that Diabetes Type 2 is
observed as common health issue among population that ha number of reasons which are
explained further –
Intake of Junk food – This can be described as an important factor which is responsible
for developing health problem of Diabetes Type 2 in population more frequently. It is observed
that people has habit of excess intake of junk food items which are less nutritious buts impacts

negatively on health of an individual. However, people use to eat fast food on regular basis that
affects the metabolism of human body due to which insulin hormone functioning get disturbed.
Moreover, it has been analyse that junk food disturb entire metabolism of human body if taking
regularly which impacts negatively of health condition of an individual. Additionally, it is
necessary for people to avoid eating fast food items on daily basis that is helpful for them to
reduce chance of occurring Diabetes Type 2 (Holt and et. al., 2017).
Lack of physical activities – The present lifestyle of people has less physical activities
and they also avoid to do a regular exercise that also affects health condition of people. It is
observed that individuals do not have focus on maintain their health and they has a lack of
physical exercise of yoga in their daily routine. However, it will create an condition in which a
person is not able to burn that much calories gained by eating food on daily basis. Moreover, this
starts fat deposition in body and generate abnormalities in functioning of panaceas and secretion
of insulin that results into Diabetes Type 2 in population.
Cultural beliefs – This can be defined as cultural beliefs and thoughts of citizens which
encourage them to gain extra calories in body which disturb metabolism in human body. It
consist perceptions or cultural norm that increased weight of an individual is a sign of wealth and
prosperity so that they prefer to eat high calorie food on daily basis. Such people do not think
about health issues but try to maintain their wealth which create problem of Diabetes Type 2.
However, it is necessary for care professionals and government to organise effective health
promotion campaign to make them aware about their unhealthy habits for remaining well being.
Moreover, it has been analysed that cultural beliefs are also considered as a reason behind
increase in Diabetes Type 2 among population (Adeshara, Diwan and Tupe, 2016).
Increase in sedentary lifestyle – In present scenario of advanced technology, people
prefer to complete their every minor or major task with the help of internet which promotes their
sedentary behaviour. It includes regular sitting jobs, billing online and daily work on computers
by staying at one place for 8 to 9 hours is responsible for interrupting metabolic activity of
human body. However, abnormal metabolism is responsible for reducing use of insulin and
function of pancreas secrete insulin hormone. Moreover, it will facilitate to create a health issue
of Diabetes and increase it among population due to their sedentary lifestyle. Additionally, it is
necessary for citizens to remain active and prefer balanced diet including regular exercise to
become well being.

1.2 Explain the signs and symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 Diabetes shows number of signs & symptoms that are observed in suffered people
which can determine earlier. It is necessary for people to remain aware about early symptoms
and consult immediately to the doctor if observe similar signs. Meanwhile, it has been analysed
that there are various kinds of symptoms that can be observed in person who has a problem of
Type 2 Diabetes which are given below.
Frequent urination – People having problem of diabetes Type 2 observe frequent
urination because high blood sugar levels are responsible for influencing kidneys to filter excess
sugar out from the blood (Tattersall, 2017). It happens mostly at the time of night.
Increased thirst – The removal of excess sugar from from the blood encourage frequent
urination that results into extra loss of water which results into increase in thirst of an individual.
This may responsible for causing dehydration in body sometimes which may leads to a person
feeling more thirsty as compared to usual.
Always feeling hungry – Diabetic people usually are not able to get sufficient energy
from the meal they intake hence enough glucose will not get transported to cells from blood
stream. This may leads to a condition that people feel constantly hungry often.
Feeling very tired – Patients with Diabetes Type face low energy level of body and feel
very tired or fatigued many times. This tiredness of an individual occurs to insufficient supply of
energy to the cells of body.
Blurry vision – The diabetes is phase of extra sugar in body which is responsible for
causing damage to tiny blood vessels in eyes that results into blurry vision. This may take severe
position if treated immediately and taking appropriate precautions accordingly (Ball and et. al.,
2016).
Slow healing of cuts and wounds – High sugar levels damage nerves and blood vessels
that may impair blood circulation that reduce speed of recovery of wounds and increase risk of
infection.
Tingling, numbness or pain in the hands or feet – Diabetic condition impacts
negatively on blood circulation and damage body nerves that may lead to pain and sensation of
tingling or numbness in hands as well as feet.
Patches of dark skin – The soft and velvety patches may occur on neck, armpit or groin
that signify the increased risk of diabetes.

Itching and yeast infections – Extra presence of sugar in blood & urine is responsible
for providing food for yeast that leads in infection on warm, moist areas including genital
regions, mouth and armpits. The affected areas are generally itchy and experience burning,
redness and soreness.
TASK 2
2.1 Compare and contrast the clinical investigations associated with diagnosis of Type 2
Diabetes
The clinical investigations refers to related diagnosis methods which are used by care
professionals in order to determine problem of diabetes Type 2 and it causes. It is necessary to
analyse overall symptoms for diagnosing the condition as it is helpful to make appropriate
decision making for providing effective treatment for wellness of an individual (Lee and et. al.,
2016). However, there are several diagnosing procedures are utilised in which few of them are
described here.
Glycated Haemoglobin (A1C) Test – This can be described as an effective method in
order to analyse average sugar level of blood for past two or three moths. It is observed that
normal levels are below 5.7 percent and outcome of this test between 2.7 and 6.4 that is known
as pre diabetes. Meanwhile, it has been evaluated that an A1C level of 6.5 percent or greater on
two separate tests indicates that an individual have diabetes.
Random & Fasting Blood Sugar Test – This involves random and fasting blood sugar
test as per their procedure of measuring sugar level. However, random consist the diagnosis of
glucose in blood by taking blood samples when a person last ate whereas in fasting method,
samples were taken after an overnight fast (Vallis and et. al., 2016). Meanwhile, random test
shows diabetes when sugar level is 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) or higher and fasting test indicates
prediabetic condition while glucose amount is between 100 to 125 mg/dL (5.6 to 6.9 mmol/L) as
normal sugar level is 100 mg/dL (5.6 mmol/L). The blood glucose amount is 126 mg/dL (7
mmol/L) or higher in two separate tests shows diabetes.
Comparison between Glycated haemoglobin (A1C) test and Random & Fasting Blood
sugar test
Basis Glycated Haemoglobin (A1C) Test Random & Fasting Blood Sugar Test
Definition  This refers to method of  The random test include to take

evaluating average blood
sugar levels for past two or
three months to determine
that a person is diabetic or
not.
samples regardless when an
individual last ate whereas
fasting test consist taking of
sample after a fast overnight to
determine diabetic condition.
Measurement  In this method, sugar levels
of blood are measured in
percent i.e. above 6.5% or
higher on two separate test
indicates that a person have
diabetes as normal is 5.7%
and pre diabetes is
determined between 5.7%
and 6.4% (Blair, 2016).
 This type of diagnosing method
measure glucose level of blood
in milligrams per decilitre or
millimoles per liter (mmol/L)
(mg/dL) in which random test
shows 200 mg/dL (11.1
mmol/L) or higher in diabetic
condition whereas fasting
indicates the same at 126 mg/dL
(7 mmol/L).
Utilisation  The diagnosing method of
Glycated Haemoglobin
(A1C) Test is commonly
used to physicians to
diagnose problem of diabetes
and them treat it accordingly.
 When a person has certain
conditions like haemoglobin
variant then random or fasting
blood sugar test is utilised by
doctors to determine diabetic
situation of an individual.
Similarities
 The above methods are used to determine sugar levels of diabetes and evaluate specific
type of the given health problem in order to make appropriate decision of treatment.
 Glycated haemoglobin (A1C) test and Random & Fasting Blood sugar test are favourable
for care professionals to make correct decisions to make an individual well being.
 These methods have similarity that they are suitable to identify the causes of type of
diabetes and provide accurate medical services in order to improve condition of patient.

 Glycated haemoglobin (A1C) test and Random & Fasting Blood sugar test are beneficial
for care practitioners to use alternative method if the other is not working in complex
situation of patient to diagnose actual problems for treating the same.
TASK 3
3.1 Explain the Treatment and support available for service users when initially diagnosed with
Type 2 Diabetes
Initial diagnosis of every health problem is favourable because a disease can be easily
treated and make an individual well being easily. It is necessary to for a person to take regular
check up in order to determine problem of Diabetes Type 2 for maintain body sugar levels
through minor precautions (Compean Ortiz and et. al., 2016). However, it has been analysed that
there are number of treatment support services that are available for service user in order to
remain healthy. Moreover, some of effective treatment methods are as follows –
Weight loss – The weight loss is an effective method of treating high sugar level of
human body because sustained weight loss of 7 % seems to be ideal that impact of glucose
amount. It is necessary for people to prefer regular exercise and yoga for maintain their health
thorough balancing their proper body weight as it effects positively on sugar levels of human
body. It can be considered as an appropriate precautions which plays an important role for
controlling diabetes and avoid the occurrence of its severe stage for a person.
Healthy eating – This can be described as very important method treating Diabetes Type
2 by maintain desired nutrients in body which will not contribute to increase sugar levels in
body. It is essential for an individual to strictly follow their balanced diet prescribed by their
physician because a small mistake may leads to major problem for them (Chatterjee, Khunti and
Davies, 2017). However, it is necessary for patients to avoid sugar products or high calorie food
items because they are responsible for increasing glucose in body. Moreover, they should avoid
junk food, drinks and other high sugary products to maintain their proper health.
Regular exercise – The daily physical work out is also beneficial for diabetic people
because it is helpful to reduce body weight which is favourable to control diabetes. It is well
known that effective physical work out is suitable for maintain better health that provide support
to avoid various kind of health issue like Diabetes Type 2. However, it is necessary for diabetic
people to prefer regular exercise in their daily routine to treaty their diabetic problem and remain

healthy. People can prefer weight lifting, aerobics or yoga which is more suitable for them to
control diabetes.
Diabetes medication or insulin therapy – There are various kinds of medications which
are provided to treat diabetes in order to make person disease free. It includes number of
medicines such as Metformin, Sulfonylureas, Meglitinides, Thiazolidinediones, DPP-4 inhibitors
and many more that are given to diabetic people for maintaining their sugar levels properly.
However, it is necessary to provide an appropriate medications which is suitable according to
type of diabetes and that should be accepted by immune system of a person (Bostock-Cox,
2017). Moreover, insulin injections or therapies are provided to people where other medications
did not work then it will injected directly under skin for maintaining sugar levels in human body.
Blood sugar monitoring – The treatment plan implementation is important to treat
diabetic condition but regular monitoring of sugar level is mandatory. It is favourable to
determine the increase or decrease in sugar level to analyse earlier about occurrence of severe
condition for consulting with doctor immediately. It helps the physician to identify about taking
medication or insulin in appropriate amount for making patient well being.
3.2 Discuss the common complications associated with Type 2 Diabetes delivery in the health
and social care sector
The Diabetes Type 2 can be controlled by taking more effective as well as efficient
precautions by patient. It is necessary for a diabetic person to strictly follow balanced diet chart
and take medications on time along with working on body weight properly. However, it has been
analysed that condition of Diabetes Type 2 may create complications for patient if appropriate
actions will not be taken buy them. There are number of complications are observed in which
some of them are given here.
Hypoglycaemia and Hyperglycaemia – The sugar level of blood become lower than 70
milligrams per decilitres (mg/dL) that are responsible for creating condition of coma or may
leads to accidents & death which is known as hypoglycaemia (Babler and Strickland, 2016). At
the other hand, sugar level higher than 180 to 200 mg/dL can leads to health issues related to
kidney, heart, vision and nerve which is called as hyperglycaemia.
Heart and blood vessel disease – The problem of diabetes is responsible for developing
condition of high blood pressure and cholesterol which can create heart disease. It is observed

that blood and nerves got damaged which functions to control heart due to high level of sugar in
body.
Kidney damage – The diabetic condition includes high levels of glucose due to which
kidneys get more pressure to work harder in order to filter extra sugar along with waste material
from the blood. It will responsible for creating risk of occurring kidney related problems for a
diabetic person.
Eye damage – The diabetic condition of an individual may development several eyes
problems including glaucoma, cataracts and retinopathy. However, glaucoma can be described as
build up extra pressure on eye whereas cataracts refers to cloudiness of lens. Moreover,
retinopathy can be defined as a situation of damage to blood vessels of eyes (Morris, Carlyle and
Elston Lafata, 2016).
Skin problems – This involves various skin problems that can cause due to presence of
high blood sugar in human body. It consist skin infections, itching, acanthosis nigricans, diabetic
dermopathy, necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum (NLD), allergic reactions, diabetic blisters
(bullosis diabeticorum) and disseminated granuloma annulare.
There are certain complications which are responsible for creating trouble for patient that
includes High blood sugar (hyperglycemia), Hyperglycemic hyperosmolar nonketotic syndrome
(HHNS), Increased ketones in urine (diabetic ketoacidosis) and Low blood sugar
(hypoglycemia). However, these conditions requires immediate treatment for maintaining better
health situation of an individual.
3.3 Explain the treatment and support available for service users with long term complications of
Type 2 Diabetes
The Type 2 Diabetes has number of long term complications which are required to be
treated in appropriate manner for wellness of an individual (Childs, Cypress and Spollett, 2017).
It includes microvascular complexities including eye, kidney and nerve disease which impacts
negatively on health of patient and create difficulties in their daily routine life.
Eye treatment – Eye related issue like cataracts & retinopathy may leads to loss of
vision which can be treated through maintaining appropriate sugar levels in body and prefer
regular eye checks with eye specialist to monitor eyes health to prevent further relevant
complexities.

Kidney treatment – Kidneys disease are also known as diabetic nephropathy may create
impairment in functioning, dialysis and transplant of organ. Uncontrolled diabetes may leads to
kidney fail which can be prevent by prefer yearly check for micro albuminuria through
measuring protein in urine because it is an early sign of kidney disease. This condition can be
easily treated by medications and maintain kidneys functioning in proper manner.
Nerve treatment – The nerve damage is also possible in condition of diabetes which is
known as diabetic neuropathy and damage of blood vessels results into destroyed nerves. It
consist several forms of diabetic neuropathy like focal, proximal, autonomic and peripheral in
which most commonly observed is peripheral neuropathy (Shah and Vella, 2016). However, this
condition have a sore of foot then it is important to prefer foot examinations on regular basis for
preventing and treating nerve complications.
Heart & blood vessels treatment – The diabetic condition is responsible for managing
blood vessels which can create problem of heart disease including stroke, vessel blockage and
heart attack. These complications can be treated by avoiding smoke, maintain blood pressure and
pay attention to cholesterol for remaining well being by checking all these aspects on regular
basis.
CONCLUSION
From the above report, it has been concluded that diabetes Type 2 refers to a condition
that begin as insulin resistance which reflects about situation of human body of not using insulin
efficiently. It includes the condition of increase sugar levels in blood due to reduced amount of
insulin or its use in human body. However, it consist reasons for increasing diabetes among
people such as intake of junk food, lack of physical activities, cultural beliefs and increase in
sedentary lifestyle. Meanwhile, it involves signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes including
frequent urination, increased thirst, always feeling hungry, feeling very tired blurry vision, slow
healing of cuts and wounds, tingling, numbness or pain in the hands or feet, patches of dark skin
and itching & yeast infections. Moreover, it consist treatment of given disease like weight loss,
healthy eating, regular exercise, diabetes medication or insulin therapy and blood sugar
monitoring for remaining well being. Additionally, it involves several relevant complications
including hypoglycaemia & hyperglycaemia, heart & blood vessel disease, kidney damage, eye
damage and skin problems.

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