Introduction
Nutritional therapy is gaining popularity in the treatment and management of diseases. This paper will seek to address two disease conditions that have employed the use of nutritional therapy in their treatment and management regimens. The diseases which will be discussed include peptic ulcers and type 2 diabetes.
Condition 1- Peptic ulcers
Condition Description/ diagnostic criteria
A peptic ulcer is a disease that is noted to affect the stomach as well as the duodenum region (the proximal bit). The diagnosis of the disease is based on the presence of clinical features as well as the use of specific laboratory tests. Diagnosis is not reliant on signs and symptoms, given their probability of being unreliable.
Etiology
The etiology of the disease is deemed to be caused by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori or from the continuous usage of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Ramakrishnan & Salinas, 2007). Other causal agents include genetic factors are attributed to the development of peptic ulcers. Environmental factors as well have a hand in etiology where nicotine and alcohol inhibit mucus secretion but promote the secretion of acids (Malfertheiner, Chan, & McColl, 2009).
Health Impact/ how other systems are affected
Peptic ulcers assume the role of administering interruption to the defense system (complex) that takes charge of the secretion of mucus that lines internal surfaces of the stomach and the intestines. The ulcers then develop in the stomach and duodenal regions.
Therapeutic Protocol
Dietotherapy simply known as the means of involving dietary modifications in the treatment or prevention of diseases is applied in the treatment and prevention of peptic ulcers as well.
Treatment goal
The treatment goal of peptic ulcers is aimed at ensuring that a normal status exists in the nutritional status of the patient and thus facilitates healing of the patient by the intake of diets that inhibit the secretion of peptic chloride and thus reduce sore production (Vomero & Colpo, 2014).
Dietary Recommendations
The dietary recommendations promote a healthy diet that in turn promotes nutritional health. The dietary recommendations are aimed at preventing diseases as well.
Food Inclusion
The foods which are included in the nutrition therapy touch on the following broad categories; dairy, oilseeds, oils, meats, fruits, vegetables, and beverages.
Specific Diet
The particular diet that is allowed in the treatment of peptic ulcers includes natural juices, lean meat, leafy and dark green vegetables, vegetable oils, low-fat cheeses, Brazilian nuts, walnuts, yogurts and fermented milk just to mention a few.
b) Specific Nutrients
The nutrients that are required are different for the stage of advancement of the disease. That said, micronutrients are rather different for the acute and recovery phases where Zinc, Selenium, Vitamin A & C augur well with the recovery phase. Fibers and probiotics are necessary as well.
c) Recommended Supplements
The recommended supplements include the use of probiotics (food supplements based on microorganisms) which function in such a manner to maintain the microbial balance in the body.
d) Lifestyle Recommendations
Lifestyle adjustment is critical for the treatment and prevention of diseases that are dubbed as lifestyle diseases. For peptic ulcers, the trend is the same; lifestyle modifications include the recommendations as mentioned below. Changes in diet and lifestyle should be observed where alcohol consumption and smoking should be avoided other prohibited foods include foods that are fried, peppers, chocolates and mustard grain. Intake of caffeine ought to be avoided as well. Other foods that should be taken but with caution include cheeses, acidic fruits like pineapples, beans, sweets, acidic juices among others.
Condition 2- Type 2 diabetes
Condition Description/ diagnostic criteria
Type 2 diabetes is an example of a chronic disease that is metabolic in nature that has a fundamental impact on the health of a patient that is suffering from the disease where the life expectancy is affected for instance (Dey & Attele, 2011). The diagnosis of type 2 diabetes occurs after carrying out any of the following tests; glucose tolerance test, blood sugar test (fasting) and blood sugar test (random).
Etiology
The cause of Type 2 diabetes is attributed to the when the body becomes resistant to insulin or in some instances; the pancreas tends to release less insulin. Some environmental factors have been noted to increase the type 2 diabetes risk which includes nutrition and a sedentary lifestyle (Nathan et al., 2009).
Health Impact/ how other systems are affected
Type 2 diabetes affects other systems which as a result worsen the situation for the patient. Such like systems include the nervous system, the kidney and the eyes (National Collaborating Centre for Chronic Conditions, 2008)
Therapeutic Protocol
a) Treatment goals
The key objective of the treatment provided in the management of Type 2 diabetes is aimed at achieving the expected glycemic levels in the body.
b) Dietary Recommendations
Dietary recommendations for individuals with type 2 diabetes are intended to address the glycemic index where low glycemic index foods are advised. Apart from that, foods that are low in fats and rich in fiber are recommended.
Food Inclusion
The food types that are advised to be centered on include the low-fat foods together with the high fiber foods.
Specific Diet
The specific diet and types of foods that fall under the above classifications include vegetables, whole grains as well as fruits.
c) Specific Nutrients
There are specific nutrients that are used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. The nutrients play the roles of increasing insulin sensitivity, correcting the deficiency noted in diabetic patients as well as making improvements in the metabolism of glucose. Some of the nutrients indicated in the treatment of type 2 diabetes play the role of reduction of glycosylation process. These nutrients include but are not limited to zinc, vanadium, chromium, magnesium, potassium, lipoic acid, taurine, L-Carnitine, L-Arginine, vanadyl sulfate, biotin, glutathione and Coenzyme Q-10.
Recommended Supplements
Nutritional supplements address multiple diseases including type 2diabetes. The supplements that are considered in this section are the mineral supplements. The mineral supplements mentioned in this section supply the essential additional supplements that play the role of maintaining the blood glucose levels. Some of the mineral supplements include vanadium, chromium, and magnesium.
d) Lifestyle Recommendations
Lifestyle management is the key to a healthy way of life. Under this category, an address is made on the need for exercise, nutrition therapy and weight control mechanisms for the type 2 diabetic patients (Dey & Attele, 2011).
References
Dey, L., & Attele, A. S. (2011). Type 2 diabetes. Tradit Chinese Med, 231(1), 1-16.
Malfertheiner, P., Chan, F. K., & McColl, K. E. (2009). Peptic ulcer disease. The Lancet, 374(9699), 1449-1461.
Nathan, D. M., Buse, J. B., Davidson, M. B., Ferrannini, E., Holman, R. R., Sherwin, R., & Zinman, B. (2009). Medical management of hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes: a consensus algorithm for the initiation and adjustment of therapy a consensus statement of the American Diabetes Association and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes. Diabetes care, 32(1), 193-203.
National Collaborating Centre for Chronic Conditions (UK. 2008). Type 2 diabetes.
Ramakrishnan, K., & Salinas, R. C. (2007). Peptic ulcer disease. Am Fam Physician, 76(7), 1005-1012.
Vomero, N. D., & Colpo, E. (2014). Nutritional care in peptic ulcer. ABCD. Arquivos Brasileiros de Cirurgia Digestiva (São Paulo), 27(4), 298-302.
