Day 3- Diabetes

     The 411 on diabetes was the topic of the third course at Piper Place. We discussed the anatomy and physiology behind the disease, beginning with the function of insulin. We cleared up some misunderstandings that diabetes is not contagious like most illnesses and is not directly caused by eating too much sugar. The power point presentation was the greatest help because the consumers needed a visual depiction of these hard-to-grasp concepts. Big words such as hyperglycemia were easier to understand when assisted by brightly colored pictures. I quickly learned that these types of aids must be considered and utilized when educating the mentally ill client.

Below is an example of a slide used to effectively teach the warning signs of hypoglycemia:

                In addition to the signs and treatment regarding high and low blood sugar, we extensively discussed the complications of diabetes and what the consumers should be on the lookout for if they have this illness. When left untreated or improperly managed, diabetes can lead to stroke, heart disease, and hypertension. The kidneys are also affected by high blood sugar.  Neuropathy can be caused by diabetes, so patients should take special care of their eyes and feet. The consumers learned a lot about this prevalent illness. We hoped to help those with the disease take better care of themselves as well as prevent people from developing diabetes.