I held a short interview with a Registered Nurse working for University Hospitals, our conversation related to diabetes and preventative steps and methods.
Interview
Q1: What are the different types of diabetes?
A: Theres type 1, type 2, and gestational. There is also prediabetes, but that is not technically diabetes yet.
Q2: What are the key differences between these types?
A: Type 1 is found at young age – body is not making any insulin. Type 2 found at middle to older age – comes from poor life choices. Gestational forms in pregnancy, this can happen to anyone whether you are at risk or not, it goes away after pregnancy, but increases risk for developing type 2.
Q3: How does type 2 differ from prediabetes?
A: Prediabetes is the result of unhealthy life choices and can eventually lead to developing type 2 because of decreases in insulin production. Type 2 the body is not making enough insulin to combat those life choices, therefore glucose levels can become dangerously high. There is a test called the HbA1C test that determines if you are prediabetic or type 2 depending on your levels.
Q4: Can prediabetic and gestational become type 2?
A: Yes, if these conditions are not managed well. You have no control over if you get gestational, but you can control avoiding prediabetes.
Q5: What are the early signs of diabetes?
A: The early signs of diabetes are these three P’s: Polyuria which is excessive urination, polydipsia which is excessive thirst, and polyphagia which is excessive hunger. There are many additional signs and symptoms like fatigue, slower healing of wounds or infections, and others.
Q6: Are younger children at risk for prediabetes or type 2?
A: Typically, is it middle to older adults that are at risk, however it is possible for younger people to develop prediabetes or type 2.
Q7: For Type 2 and Prediabetes, what are some preventative methods you hear about?
A: Exercising 3-4 times per week, eating healthier foods, making sure to do your checkups with your doctor, as well as losing weight.
Q8: For Type 2 and Prediabetes, which of those methods do you believe to be most effective?
A: All these methods are effective for different reasons and may differ from person to person. However, it is important to keep up with all of these, if possible, for the best prevention of type 2 diabetes or from needing to go on insulin.
Q9: For Type 2 and Prediabetes, what types of dietary changes would you recommend?
A: Fruits and vegetables are always important, its good to avoid fried foods and other foods that contain sugar, fat, and sodium.
Q10: For Type 2 and Prediabetes, what different types of medications are used before insulin?
A: Prediabetics will not typically take any medication, it is best to try and naturally avoid type 2. Some forms of medications I am familiar with include oral hypoglycemics and sometimes glp-1s.
Q11: For Type 2 and Prediabetes, how do these differ from taking insulin?
A: Some hypoglycemics stimulate pancreases in hoping to make more insulin or some help lower sugar levels.
Q12: For Type 2 and Prediabetes, how often are these types of medication taken?
A: Typically these are taken every day, but many vary from patient or type of medication.
Q13: For Type 2 and Prediabetes, do you take this along with continuing lifestyle changes?
A: It is best to use the medication alongside taking other preventative steps.
Q14: What is the education for diabetic patients related to medication and managing condition?
A: Education usually comes directly from doctor or nurses involved in patient treatment.
Q15: What is the most common reason for starting insulin treatment for type 2s?
A: Starting insulin is a result of blood sugar levels getting too high to manage with safe doses of oral hypoglycemics. Factors that could lead to high blood sugar levels could include not taking preventative steps like eating healthy or exercising, no checkups with doctor, or aging is a big factor.
Q16: What types of complications arise from poorly managing diabetes?
A: In type 1’s, DKA which is a condition related to not enough insulin. This condition can cause dehydration, heart damage, kidney damage, high blood sugar, and can be life threatening. In type 2’s HHS is very common, this is where your blood sugar is too high leading to dehydration as well as brain damage or even brain death.
Q17: Are any types of diabetes reversable?
A: Pre diabetes is “reversible”, but even if you avoid type 2, your levels should still be monitored. Type 1 and 2 are not reversible. They need to be managed and monitored for the rest of life. Gestational goes away after delivery, but can lead to type 2 in mother and other complications for the child.
Relevance
There is a lot that I took away from this short interview with this nurse. Before the interview I started off doing some basic secondary research into diabetes to better understand the condition as well as be able to form better questions to ask in the interview. However, asking questions to someone directly helped me better understand what is really relevant in todays world and was interesting to get somebody’s experience on the situation.
This interview helps me understand the different types of diabetes as well as the different medications and prevention methods associated with each. What I learned was type 2 diabetes typically arises from unhealthy life choices, while prediabetes is an early stage that can progress to type 2 if not managed well. Preventions methods for prediabetes avoiding type 2, and types 2’s avoiding insulin treatment include things such as regular exercise, healthy diet, weight management, and medical checkups. Type 2 can also be managed with medications like oral hypoglycemics as glp-1s. These are often tied together with working on healthy habits. I would like to learn more about medications, prevention methods, and education of the patients condition through surveys and interviews. These aspects will play a role in the development of my design project.
Sources
Thank you to the Registered Nurse, Kristen Suszek, who took the time to answer my questions.
