Chronic Health Problems Case Study

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ASSESSMENT TWO CASE STUDY Tom is a 56 year old overweight salesman who has recently been diagnosed with Type2 (NIDDM) Diabetes Mellitus. He arrives at our clinic after a fasting blood glucose level is abnormally high. 1. Describe the pathophysiology of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.(Brown and Edwards (2012) p. 1360. Insulin resistance caused by the receptor sites being unresponsive to the insulin especially in the muscle cells as well as the fat and liver cells. As the receptor sites for the insulin are not working the pancreas produces more insulin (homeostatic balance) to try and reduce the high blood glucose levels. These Beta cells become exhausted, and stop working effectively. Because the glucose cannot enter the target cells the liver produces excessive glucose to try and compensate resulting in high fasting blood glucose levels. Diabetes Mellitus is mostly found in overweight patients, it used to be associated with the middle ages and later although the presence of obesity in the younger generations is increasing the disease in those age groups. The onset of the disease is slow with many patients presenting with organ damage due to the gradual effect of the diabetes. 2. What are the three main aims when treating Tom (a newly diagnosed diabetic). (Brown and Edwards (2012) p.1376). Education so that Tom understands his disease and can implement lifestyle (dietary, weight loss, and how to best make use of his energy levels) as well as possible long term physical damage that can result from the diabetes. With Tom understanding his disease compliance of medications and application of lifestyle changes / improvements should be easier for him to apply. Disease Management so Tom as few or preferable no hyperglycaemic emergencies. This is achieved through Tom’s understanding of the disease and his applications of the medicating, diet, good sleep and

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