Diabetes

Type I diabetes mellitus affects several organ systems of the human body. One particular system that is affected is the nervous system. The nervous system is responsible for controlling “motor, sensory, autonomic, cognitive and behavioral activities” (Smeltzer, Bare, Hinkle & Cheever , 2010,p. 1831). The nervous system performs these actions by sending and receiving chemical and electrical impulses within cells of the body. Although the nervous system plays a major role in the human body type I diabetes mellitus can hinder the nervous systems’ responsibilities when uncontrollable.

Diabetes mellitus can cause nerve damage, also known as neuropathy, throughout the body when glucose levels have been high for long periods of time (Smeltzer et al., 2010). Researchers presume that the origin of neuropathy may be related to metabolic, vascular, and autoimmune issues (“Diabetic Neuropathies: the Nerve Damage of Diabetes,” 2009).

Diabetic neuropathies can affect all groups of nerves throughout the body. One specific group of nerves that can be affected are the peripheral nerves. Peripheral neuropathy is nerve damage that occurs in the distal extremities (Smeltzer et al., 2010). Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy may include “numbness or insensitivity to pain or temperature… a tingling, burning or prickling sensation…sharp pains or cramps, extreme sensitivity to touch, even light touch… loss of balance and coordination” (“What is Peripheral Neuropathy,” para. 1).According to Smeltzer (2010), loss of sensation to the feet can potentially lead to the risk for unnoticed injury and infection to the feet. Unnoticed infection can possibly lead to the need for amputation of the foot if there is no other option for treatment (“What is Peripheral ...

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...lanted kidney will continue to function in patients with diabetes for at least 5 years” (Smeltzer et al., 2010, p. 1234). Nephropathy secondary to diabetes can cause a drastic change in the daily lives of diabetic patients, but there are medication, diagnostic tests and treatments to help patients with the complications of nephropathy.

Works Cited

Smeltzer, S.C., Bare, B.G., Hinkle, J.L., & Cheever, K.H. (2010). Brunner and Suddarth’s Textebook of Medical-Surgical Nursing. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

American Diabetes Association. (2014). Kidney Disease (Nephropathy). Retrieved from http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/complications/kidney-disease-nephropathy.html

National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse. (2009). Diabetic Neuropathies: The Nerve Damage of Diabetes. Retrieved from http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/neuropathies/