Research paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 13

Research Paper Example One long term goal of therapy is minimization of death or mortality. Death often occurs when a heart-related complication arises. Strokes and heart disease ought to be kept at bay. Another long-term goal of this treatment plan is to decrease complications at the macro and micro vascular levels. Peripheral vascular disease, stroke and heart disease are macro vascular while retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy are micro vascular complications. Short term goals for treatment include control and monitoring of blood glucose by the patient. Ellen should strive to have at least 50% of her glucose levels within the target range. Tight glycemic control is necessary in order to minimize the onset of micro vascular complications. Glycohemoglobin ought to be monitored within the patient. Sometimes, the oxygen transporter in the blood may combine with glucose inside the blood to lead to the latter condition. This reaction is relatively common in all humans; however, extreme cases may be detrimental to a diabetic patient’s well-being. The aim of therapy is to keep these quantities below 7%. If the patient consumes food with high carbohydrates, then it is likely that her glycohemoglobin will be high. The component of blood that carries oxygen will continue to combine with glucose if blood sugar levels are persistently elevated. A test designed to measure this element can assist Ellen in determining how well she is controlling her diabetes. Therefore, the patient ought to carry out this test after three months. Frequency of testing can be reduced once the patient has mastered glucose levels for over a year (Melmed et. al., 2011). Another short term goal of therapy is to minimize incidences of hypoglycemia. Usually, hypoglycemia results when blood glucose levels are less than 60mg/dl for those without symptoms and less than 70mg/dl for those with symptoms of hypoglycemia (American Diabetes Association, 2013). Hypoglycemia arises when the