Type 2 diabetes, also called as NIDDM or Non Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus. In these patients the pancreas either fails to produce sufficient insulin or the body is incapable of using the insulin for the metabolism of the carbohydrates. This condition is called as being Insulin resistant (WebMD, 2015). The cognitive symptoms that can develop as a result of diabetes is memory loss, it is commoner in patients below the age of 65. Psychomotor symptoms, like depression can be a common presentation in diabetics (Bot et al., 2013)
PATIENT: Hello Madam, I have been diagnosed with diabetes recently. I want to know more about the disease. I have some queries in my mind.
NURSE: Sure, sir. Please let me know how may I help you?
PATIENT: First of all, I want to know why am I affected with diabetes? I mean, no one else in my family ever had the disease.
NURSE: It has a genetic preponderance for sure, but it is not necessary that someone has to have a genetic link. It can affect anyone irrespective of a positive family history.
PATIENT: Agreed, but then I never even had too much of sweets ever in my life. Then why me?
NURSE: It is true that someone who has diabetes should not have sweets, but having too much of sweets do not make anyone prone to diabetes at all.
PATIENT: Recently, I have been experiencing some problems with my memory. I am unable to recall things, I don’t remember what I had for dinner last night. Is this also related to diabetes?
NURSE: Memory loss or dementia can be a manifestation of the aging process, but yes, it has some association with diabetes too. Diabetes may lead to impaired memory in the elderly.
PATIENT: I don’t know, I think I will get into depression. I am really disturbed; the disease has made my life hell.
NURSE: Sir, you need to relax. It is a serious disease indeed, but it is not a fatal disease. You just need to take proper care of your blood glucose level and everything will be perfectly fine.
PATIENT: Alright, tell me what all precautions should I take?
NURSE: Avoid having sweets in any form, not even potatoes. Potatoes are very rich in starch. Eat something every 2 hours, never starve yourself, this may drop your glucose level below normal and you may become hypoglycemic. It is a serious, and could be a fatal condition. Exercise daily to keep your blood glucose level in control.
PATIENT: How would you get to know if I really am following your instructions? Are there any tests to determine that?
NURSE: Certainly, HbA1c level monitoring can indicate whether you are taking proper care of blood glucose level or not. This test is very effective in determining the level of glucose control in patients for the past few weeks.
PATIENT: Okay, thank you so much. You really helped me a lot.
NURSE: You are always welcome.
References
Bot, M., Pouwer, F., de Jonge, P., Tack, C., Geelhoed-Duijvestijn, P., & Snoek, F. (2013). Differential associations between depressive symptoms and glycaemic control in outpatients with diabetes.Diabetic Medicine, 30(3), e115-e122. doi:10.1111/dme.12082
Webmd.com,. (2015). Type 2 Diabetes: Symptoms, Causes, Treatments, and More. Retrieved 26 April 2015, from http://www.webmd.com/diabetes/guide/type-2-diabetes
