Abstract
This paper explains that the objective of both the interview and the assessment is to gain knowledge so that the patient and family learn what resources and choices they have in order to achieve greater control over the patient's chronic illness, diabetes. The author points out that the sudden development of the patient's diabetes without any warning symptoms combined with the sudden complication she faces, underscore that type 2 diabetes is one of the most complicated illnesses that health care providers encounter in primary care. The paper stresses that seeing the illness from the family's perspective ensures that the needs and concerns are identified properly and are given the right priority. The author believes that she needs to work on her communication skills to elicit illness narratives because the quality of information depends on effective communication.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Interview with Mr. and Mrs. Banar
Family Feedback
Analysis of Perceptions and Impact of Chronic Illness
The Canadian Diabetes Association
Author's Reaction to Interview
Appendix: Family Assessment
Appendix: Confidentiality Agreement

From the Paper
"It is not only the physical aspects of diabetes that create an impact. Psychosocial factors also play a very important role in the family management of diabetes. Diabetes can be difficult to manage in families because any negative psychosocial functioning in the family will affect adherence to the regimen along with glycemic control. In order to achieve control over diabetes, it is not just the patient but the involvement of the entire family that is needed. It can be observed that Mrs. Banar is supported by his wife, and this family further is supported by members of the extended family."

Tags:family, assessment, narratives, overwhelming, lifestyle

Abstract
The paper explains that diabetes refers to an illness where the body either does not produce insulin or use insulin as it should. The paper focuses on Type 2 diabetes.

From the Paper
"Diabetes refers to an illness where the body either does not produce insulin or use insulin as it should. The three main contributing factors fro developing diabetes are genetics, obesity, and lack of exercise (American Diabetes Association, 2008). The body's failure to produce insulin results in Type 1 diabetes; however, Type 2 is far more common where the body fails to use insulin properly so that there is insulin deficiency. Type 2 is the concern here. There are four categories of diabetes, and it affects males, females, and all age groups. The research..."

Tags:diabetes, quality, life

Abstract
This paper first describes diabetes and then discusses some methods in which blood glucose is monitored. Within this discussion, the author addresses the benefits of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in diabetic patients. The author also discusses the latest research addressing types of CGM systems available, and possible plans for the future in diabetic glucose monitoring. Lastly, this paper talks about the startling benefits of the supplement Alpha lipoic acid and how this drug benefits the body of a diabetic patient.

From the Paper
"There is currently new research being performed on the possibility of developing an artificial pancreas, which could help overcome what we now lack in insulin therapy. An artificial pancreas would act in the same way, as closely as possible, as a healthy pancreas would act. It would detect different levels of blood glucose and then respond appropriately to secret proper amounts of insulin to adjust those glucose levels in the blood."

Tags:hyperglycemia awareness, artificial pancreas, neuropathy, renal function

Abstract
A paper on diabetic skin care. The paper outlines the Braden scale which categorizes factors contributing to patients' risk for developing pressure ulcers in six areas: activity, mobility, nutrition, sensory perception, moisture and friction and shear.

Tags:nursing, diabetic, skin

Abstract
This paper looks at the use of sildenafil (Viagra) to improve flow-mediated dilatation in the brachial artery. The paper focuses on the effects of this medicinally-induced dilatation on individuals suffering from Type II diabetes. The paper also discusses the effect of Viagra on endothelial cell function, which, in particular, is occluded in diabetes patients. The paper references a recent study on this topic conducted by the University of Tulane Health and Sciences Center.

Tags:sildenafil, erectile dysfunction, flow-mediated dilatation, brachial artery, type 2 diabetes

Abstract
This study explores the effects of implementing a method that the current trend of technology may suggest in recording the daily activities of patients of diabetes. This study suggests the use of an online journal that allows the diabetics to record their daily consumption of foods, as well as the activities that they perform daily. Such types of records are important to physicians and diabetes specialists to provide them a scheme that allows them to monitor their patients' activities as related to their health. This study evaluates how an online journal can help and support the diabetes patients, as well as their doctors, in keeping an eye on their health condition. Comparing on the current manual method of recording activities, this study aims to assess the value of combining the treatment programs and processes taken by the diabetics with a health monitoring method that is more convenient and can be more interesting for the patients.

From the Paper
"One of the routines that diabetes patients must perform is the recording of their food intakes and daily activities. This is important in order to compute the amount of calories, fat, etc., that they put in their body as well as how their body functions. Most of the diabetes patients, at present, perform this task manually. Such critical information and records are being written and are then brought in during clinical sessions. However, as found by some studies, and proven by the patients' response in bringing records of their daily activities and food consumptions, this process is rarely followed by the diabetes patients. Hence, as a consequence, the process of treating the illness does not become efficient and effective due to lack of reference on the patient's health and body functioning from which the succeeding medication and treatment is based."

Tags:food, sugar, insulin, care, doctor, nurse

Abstract
Nephropathy is a common complication of diabetes and is characterized by the development of proteinuria, culminating in end-stage renal disease with a particular high risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. This paper looks at several pathologic processes that contribute to diabetic nephropathy, including glomerular hypertrophy, sclerosis and nephron loss and discusses how primary prevention includes early detection of diabetes, glycemic control, screening for microalbuminuria, control of hypertension and smoking cessation. The paper also looks at how key issues in secondary prevention are glycemic control, reduction of hypercholesterolemia, control of hypertension, smoking cessation, use of ACE inhibitors and possibly restriction of dietary protein.

From the Paper
"Diabetic nephropathy is more prevalent among African Americans, Asians, and Native Americans than Caucasians (Zelmanovitz 2005). Moreover, among patients starting renal replacement therapy, the incidence of diabetic nephropathy doubled from 1991-2001, however the rate of increase has slowed down (Zelmanovitz 2005). The reason for the slow down is probably due to the adoption in clinical practice of several measures that contribute to the early diagnosis and prevention of diabetic nephropathy, which thereby decreases the progression of established renal disease (Zelmanovitz 2005). A ten-year follow-up revealed the risk of diabetic nephropathy was 29 times greater in patients with type 2 diabetes with UAE values > 10 (micro)g/min, and the same held true for patients with type 1 diabetes (Zelmanovitz 2005). This favors the concept that the risk associated with UAE is a continuum, as is the case with blood pressure levels (Zelmanovitz 2005). "

Tags:proteinuria, renal, cardiovascular, morbidity

Abstract
The paper discusses how as the costs of health care continue to rise, innovative solutions are being sought by hospitals, health care maintenance organizations and special interest groups. The paper relates that diabetes is a disease that can greatly benefit from cost-cutting innovations such as telemedicine. The paper explains that involving a personal computer with an Internet connection set up to transmit clinical data, receive educational material for a care provider and ready for teleconferencing in clinic and in the patient's home, telemedicine can be implemented successfully in many settings, serving a variety of patient populations with high patient satisfaction and favorable disease management outcomes.

From the Paper
"Being an expert and educator, the health professional serves as a reliable resource for persons to turn to when they wish to obtain information regarding disease. These two go hand-in-hand where patient care is involved, as being an expert does not necessarily imply being an educator (although the reverse is). Aside from the obvious connotation of being an expert in disease, the health care professional not only serves as a source of knowledge for disease, but as a resource for helping patients seek answers for themselves. These roles not only involve direct..."

Tags:nursing, patient education, informatics

Abstract
This paper describes how patient education is implemented form a nursing care perspective. This paper focuses on diabetic foot care. It details what will be needed in carrying out patient education, using a multi-modality and return demo approach. It also explains the steps to take in order to implement teaching. It is emphasized that the patient must accept his illness in order to maximize learning, which may become a major impediment in promoting foot care education.

From the Paper
"It cannot be emphasized enough how important foot care in diabetics is. In addition, it is one of the easiest preventive measures to teach diabetic patients. The most dreaded complications arising from the lack of proper foot care can range from toe, foot or leg amputation, which is more common than blindness (International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot, in Young, 2005). Taking this into consideration, it may well be the most cost-effective preventive measure that can be imparted to the diabetic patient. In order to encourage active participation by the patient, such materials as a life-size, life-like, anatomically accurate foot model, written material in the form of take-home, "must-know' brochures."

Tags:diabetes, foot, care

Abstract
The paper describes an interview with Mr. J. K. (hereafter referred to as "JK"), a 58-year-old male Caucasian who came to the hospital with stomach complaints. The paper relates that the emergency physician, upon initial evaluation, admitted Mr. J. K. for further testing, on suspicion that JK may be a diabetic, and could be suffering from congestive heart failure (CHF).

From the Paper
"I interviewed Mr. J. K. (hereafter referred to as "JK"), a 58-year-old male Caucasian who came to our hospital with stomach complaints. The emergency physician, upon initial evaluation, admitted Mr. J. K. for further testing, on suspicion that JK may be a diabetic, and could be suffering from congestive heart failure (CHF). JK had been in the hospital for two days before he was transferred to my ward. JK had lost his wife two years ago, and his children appeared to..."

Tags:depression, conversaton, nursing