Nutrition

Daisy White

Emily Boldrin

South Univeersity

September 17,2015

Nutrition

Task 1:

Currently, most developed nations have an aging population, mostly due to declining fertility and mortality in the aging life. Old age is defined as the time in an individual’s life when she or he is old and near the date of death. Some common characteristic in old aged people is the wrinkly skin, reduced mobility because they tend to walk slower, and they become consistently cold. The particular age that defines old age is 60 years and above. Globally, the population of elderly people has increased from 9 % in 1950 to 12 % in 2007, and the figure is expected to reach 23% by the year 2050 (Kirkman, 2012).

The aging process occurs by chance or good luck. However, there are internal and external factors that influence the process. The external factors include environmental and lifestyle such as nutrition. Nutritional challenges in the elderly can create health related complications such as lowered energy levels, weakened immune systems, and chronic health problems such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and osteoporosis. There are many nutrition issues affecting the old age population but the specific issues include:

• Malnutrition

• Constipation

• Bone health

• Inadequate folate levels

• Weight gain and loss

• Dehydration

Task 2:

Diabetes is a health condition that can occur at any age. Nonetheless, the disease is most prevalent in elderly than in other life stages. According to National Institute (2015) among the U.S. population, more than 25 % of the citizens aged 65 years and above has diabetes 1. The condition among the elderly is mainly linked to reduced functional and cognitive status and high mortality. Diabetic people in old age are more vulnerable to substantial risk for acute and chronic cardiovascular complication of the condition. Many people know that diabetes is a serious condition, but some are unaware of what being diabetic means. Individuals with diabetes have high blood sugar due to reduced insulin in the body. The insulin enables the glucose to enter into body cells for it to make energy necessarily for survival. When the insulin is less than the body's demands or not used in the right way, a person tends to retain excess blood glucose level that in turn progresses to diabetes. Two types of diabetes exist and can take place at any age. Type 1 diabetes is the condition when the human body produces little to no insulin at all. On the other hand, type 2 diabetes occurs when the body makes insulin, which is not used in the proper manner (Kirkman, 2012).

Diabetes Case Study of an Elderly Person

Mr. C.T is a Caucasian 65-year-old man with a year’s history of impaired glucose tolerance. Another medical problem he has had is primary high blood pressure, which is treated with an antiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (in small doses). The patient quit alcohol and smoking ten years ago. He has stress electrocardiograms every two years that shows no signs of dyslipidemia.

Cultural background

Mr. C.T is a retired professor, but he is a part time lecturer at his local community college. He lives with his wife and is on a fixed income. More so, he has an active health insurance. The patient’s glucose intolerance condition was diagnosed on one of his routine laboratory testing. Later he was advised to enroll in a diabetes-learning program where he was informed of the best ways of home monitoring his glucose levels. His educator suggested a diet and exercise program. Mr. C.T was not obese because he maintained an active life by playing golf at his local golf club and took vigor walk almost every evening. In the process, he lost 10lb that helped him normalize his bold sugar levels with the aid of this regimen.

Review of Systems

Approximately four months ago, the patient noticed a tingling and a burning sensation in his feet. He also complained that walking had become more of a chore. Mr. C.T denied shortness of breath or chest pains. He denied a cough, chills, fever, bloody stool, or hematuria. The patient had also gained 5lbs.

Anthropometric Nutrition Assessment

Age: 65 years

Height: 55 inches

Weight: 250 pounds

BMI: 35

Body Composition: waist circumference- 103cm

Waist / Hip Ratio 0.97

Biochemical Tests

Coagulase: negative for staphylococci

Catalase: negative

Citrate: negative

Urase: positive

Pepton: 1.2g

Glucose: 1.0g

Clinical assessment

Blood Glucose

Fasting blood glucose: 146mg/dL

HbA ic: 7.2% (normal 4.0-4.6%)

Lipid Profile

Total: 152mg/dL

LDL: 71mg.dL

HDL: 42mg.dL

Triglycerides: 224mg.dL

Kidney Profile

Cretinine: 0. 7 mg/dL

Microalbuminuria:

Negative

Liver Function:

ALT: Normal

AST: Normal

Blood Pressure

Primary high blood pressure:

152/90mmHg in 2 reading

Cardiovascular condition: recent myocardial infarction

Eye Exam

Normal

Foot Exam

Tingling and burning sensation

Dietary Assessment

Current nutrition therapy: Not on a diabetic nutrition plan

Food prevalence:

Fried white rice

Baked white bread

Roasted Steak

Vitamin Supplements: potassium

Nutrition history

In last 24 hours:

Coffee

Pancakes

Burger

French fries

Fresh juice

Rice

Beef sauce

Total carbohydrate intake: 69%

Frequency: The patient does not regularly take breakfast and most times skips lunch.

Medication

The patient should be advised to start treatment on:

• Repaglinide (Prandin) 0.5mg with the morning and evening meal plan (twice a day) for managing the glucose level.

• He should continue with his ACE inhibitor for high blood pressure such as lisinopril (Prinivil).

• For the foot infection, amoxicillin-clavulanate, an antibiotic is an effective choice.

Herbs that can be used together with the other medications include:

• Fenugreek seeds

• Basil

• Cinnamon

• Garlic

• Celery Seed

• Hawthorn

In sum, the patient should continue with his exercise plan and start on a diabetic meal program.

References

Kirkman, S. (2012). Diabetes in Older Adults. Diabetes Care December Journal, vol. 35 no. 12 2650-2644.

National Institute. (2015). Diabetes in Older People-A Disease you can manage. Retrieved on 17 Sept. 2015 from https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/publication/diabetes-older-people

NUTRITION CASE STUDY

RUNNING HEAD: NUTRITION CASE STUDY