Health Psychology! by Joseph Denmead

Chronic illness

joseph_alexander — 2015-10-14 15:54:49 UTC

A long term condition or chronic disease can be defined as on that currently has no cure, and is which managed buy drugs, therapy or other treatments! In the UK 60% of adults are reported as having a chronic health problem (population of around 60 million). The most commonly reported issues are;

- Arthritis and Rheumatisms 28%

- Hearth Problems (including high blood pressure) 16.8%

- Respiratory Problems 13.5%

- Skin conditions 12.2%

- Mental heatlh issues 8.9%

- Digestive issues 8.5%

- Difficulty in hearing 8.2%

- Frequent headaches or migraines 7.9%

- Visual Problems 5.1%

- Stroke 4.0%

- Diabetes 3.5%

(Department of Health, 2004)

Diabetes

joseph_alexander — 2015-10-14 16:24:00 UTC

Diabetes is often a life long condition that causes the a persons blood sugar levels to be too high. In the UK there are 3.9 million people living with diabetes and of the 2 types, type 2 accounts for about 90% of these cases.

The amount of sugar in your blood is regulated by a hormone called insulin, which is produced in the pancreas. The insulin moves sugars created by digesting food from the blood stream into cells, which is then broken down to produce energy. Diabetes sufferers are however, unable to break down glucose into energy, or there not being enough insulin to move to glucose into the cells.

In type 1 diabetes the body's immune system attacks and destroys the cells that are responsible for producing insulin, as a result no insulin is produced and glucose levels in your blood rise and can cause serious damage to organs.

Type 1 diabetes is known as insulin-dependent or is sometimes referred to as early onset diabetes as it usually develops below the age of 40, especially during teenage years. Sufferers of type 1 diabetes need insulin injections for the rest of their lives to manage the condition.

Type 2 diabetes is due to insulin resistance, the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells don't react to the insulin. Type 2 diabetes can sometimes be managed with a health diet, regular exercise and keeping your blood sugar levels in check. Type 2 diabetes is commonly associated with obesity and can be a progressive condition resulting in the need for treatment, usually in the form of tablets. (NHS, 2014)

Adaptation and Adjustment

joseph_alexander — 2015-10-21 14:24:52 UTC

The goals to symptom management in diabetes is to regulate blood sugar levels, keeping them as close to 'normal', using a combination of diet, activity and medication. Regulating cholesterol and triglyceride levels as near close to normal as possible and controlling your blood pressure.

These adaptations can be met with resistance at first due to changes in self-esteem denial or anxiety towards to or as a result of a diagnosis.

Management of symptoms and self-regulation however, can be important to slowing or even preventing other diabetes related health issues;

- Problems with the eyes as a result of diabetes

- Heart or Kidney disease as a result of high blood pressure

- Nervous system damage as a result of high blood sugar levels (Neuropathy)

Denial or anxiety in regards to the initial crisis of diagnosis can be an issues with diabetes as it may encourage less communication with health care professionals, this would in turn decrease the levels of help and support available with adapting to the changes of life-style and diet that are necessary for illness management.

With diabetes the day to day regulation is the key to management. Keeping to a meal plan and eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, taking prescribed medications at the correct times and monitoring your blood glucose and blood pressure levels at home are more important to your long term health than what can be covered during check-ups with your doctor.