Term Paper on "Diabetes Diagnosis in Elderly Patients"
Term Paper 3 pages (1160 words) Sources: 1+
[EXCERPT] . . . .
Diabetes Diagnosis in Elderly PatientsDiabetes is a disease with very serious implications for human health, and according to available data, about 24 million Americans suffer from diabetes and about 57 million have what is called "pre-diabetes." Healthcare professionals and researchers predict that about one in three Americans will develop diabetes in their lifetime. Why, given the seriousness and prevalence of this disease, is it often difficult for physicians and other healthcare professionals to detect diabetes in elderly people? This paper researches reasons why the elderly are not diagnosed correctly, and why diagnosis gets trickier as people get older. The paper also compares the results of early diagnoses of diabetes with the consequences of late diagnoses.
The Literature
How serious is the problem of diabetes? An article in The Journal of Employee Assistance reports that while nearly 24 million Americans have diabetes, about one quarter of that number is not aware they have diabetes. Also, the article claims that some 57 million Americans have pre-diabetes, and that even people without a family history of Type 2 diabetes (the form of diabetes most common among the elderly) can suffer from Type 2 if they lead an "unhealthy lifestyle" and especially if they become obese (Draheim, et al., 2009, p. 1).
Why is it difficult to detect diabetes in the elderly? An article in the journal Prevention claims that it just "makes sense that diagnosis gets trickier as we age" (O'Neil, 1995, p. 86). It gets trickier because after living for seventy years or so, "each of us has a unique medical history," O'Neil writes. One of the principl
download full paper ⤓
Testing for diabetes is "seriously sneaky among seniors," O'Neil writes on page 87. The reason for this is the normal process of aging can "hide two of the classic warning signs of diabetes -- extreme thirst and frequent urination." O'Neil explains that it is perfectly normal for an older person to become thirsty quite often and have kidney functions "decline." Going to the rest room frequently does not set off alarm bells or raise red flags for the elderly. Besides, doctors suggest drinking a lot of water, and older people do. The writer goes on to say that while a 40-year "undiagnosed diabetic" will almost always have "unquenchable thirst and the need to urinate frequently," his 75-year-old father "may show neither symptom" (87).
Moreover, experts suggest that about 25% of Americans between 65 and 74 have diabetes but many of those are not diagnosed (O'Neil, 87). O'Neil reminds readers that another reason it may be hard to detect diabetes in older people is they may be less forthcoming about their symptoms "because they're afraid of being labeled complainers or that their reporting of symptoms may lead to their placement in a nursing home" (94). The older person might also be reticent to reveal symptoms because "…they're frightened about what the doctor might find," O'Neal concludes. "Doctors can't have too much information. Unfortunately, they often have too little," O'Neal explains (94).
Meanwhile, Doctors Andrew Kagan and Henry J. (FRW) Heimlich, and actor Edward Asner teamed up to write a book on Type 2 Diabetes, in which they assert that the development of type 2 diabetes "increased naturally with aging" (Kagan, et al., 2009, p. 203). In fact, the authors explain, making… READ MORE
Quoted Instructions for "Diabetes Diagnosis in Elderly Patients" Assignment:
From the readings provided, it is evident that the diagnosis of diabetes is difficult to make, especially in the elderly patient.
Compose a paper that supports why this is true. Base your response on how the common signs and symptoms of diabetes mimic normal physiological changes, adverse drug reactions, co-morbid signs and symptoms, and geriatric syndromes. Use specific examples as evidence to support your position. Conclude your paper with a comparison of the consequences of early and late diagnoses of diabetes that demonstrates the importance of astute assessment for early diagnosis
How to Reference "Diabetes Diagnosis in Elderly Patients" Term Paper in a Bibliography
“Diabetes Diagnosis in Elderly Patients.” A1-TermPaper.com, 2011, https://www.a1-termpaper.com/topics/essay/diabetes-diagnosis-elderly-patients/6130516. Accessed 4 Oct 2024.
Related Term Papers:
Diabetes Type II in Adults Term Paper
Diabetes Type II in Adults
CONFRONTING a DREAD DISEASE
Insulin is a hormone released by the pancreas to bring glucose to the cells so the body can use it for… read more
Term Paper 12 pages (3731 words) Sources: 9 Style: APA Topic: Nutrition / Diet / Eating
Epidemiology of Diabetes Essay
Epidemiology of Diabetes
Causes and Types of Diabetes
Symptoms of Diabetes
Consequences of Diabetes
Etiology and natural history of condition
Diagnosis and Treatment
Prognosis
Elderly Population
Individuals with Family History… read more
Essay 8 pages (2799 words) Sources: 10 Style: Harvard Topic: Nutrition / Diet / Eating
Dialysis Among the Elderly Research Paper
Nursing
Dialysis among the Elderly
The issues that surround the health of a person at the end of their life have started to attract growing attention over the last several… read more
Research Paper 8 pages (2931 words) Sources: 10 Style: APA Topic: Healthcare / Health / Obamacare
Dysphagia in the Elderly Research Proposal
Dysphagia in the Elderly
The work of Michael R. Spieker (2000) entitled: "Evaluating Dysphagia" published in the journal of the 'American Family Physician' states that dysphagia is a problem "that… read more
Research Proposal 10 pages (2606 words) Sources: 1+ Topic: Aging / Death / Gerontology
Elderly Boseman, J. And L. Victor. (2008) Annotated Bibliography
Elderly
Boseman, J. And L. Victor. (2008). "Aging Americans and Diabetes: A Public Health
and Clinical Response." Geriatrics. 59 (4): 14-17.
Diabetes is more than a moral and medical problem… read more
Annotated Bibliography 2 pages (916 words) Sources: 7 Topic: Aging / Death / Gerontology
Fri, Oct 4, 2024
If you don't see the paper you need, we will write it for you!
We can write a new, 100% unique paper!