“Peripheral Neuropathy is a result of damage to the peripheral nerves, often causing weakness, numbness and pain, usually in the hands and feet” (Mayo Clinic, 2014). This essay presents the topic of the complication of peripheral neuropathy associated with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. Peripheral neuropathy has both physiological and psychological effects on the patient. It is the role of the nurse to deliver care to the patient and their family through a biopsychosocial approach. In this essay the Biopsychosocial Model of Health and Illness (Engle, 1977) will be discussed in caring for a patient with peripheral neuropathy in order to ensure the patients biological, psychological and social needs are met.
Engle (1980) …show more content…
The Diabetic foot may be defined as “a group of syndromes in which neuropathy, ischaemia and infection lead to tissue breakdown resulting in morbidity and possible amputation” (WHO, 1995). This definition from the World Health Organisation outlines the severity of neuropathy. According to Continuing Medical Education’s Journal (2010) 20-40% of longstanding diabetic patients develop peripheral neuropathy. Peripheral Neuropathy is nerve fibre damage due to abnormal nerve conduction. This abnormal nerve conduction is caused by the build-up of intracellular sorbitol and fructose in the peripheries of the body. This accumulation results in a reduced normal cell conduction due to the lack of cell myo-inistol. Neuropathy has a strong association with ischaemia due to vasoconstriction of the blood vessels and increased oxidative stress. Peripheral neuropathy is complex as it affects the sensory, autonomic and motor neurons of the peripheral vascular …show more content…
The biopsychosocial model of human health and illness is an effective model for a nurse to use when treating a patient with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Predominantly it treats the biological issue of the disease itself and the chronic pain that is associated with DPN. It treats the psychological issues that can arise such as a lack of sleep due to pain at night. It can allow the nurse to be vigilant when treating a patient with sleep deprivation as studies show that a lack of sleep can have many other psychological effects on the body such as high levels of anxiety, depression, low mood and general low outlook on life. Social factors which were not touched on in this essay such as social class, employment or ethnicity are also very important when treating a patient. There is a high prevalence of diabetic foot ulcers with neuropathy, if a nurse knows their patient for example is employed in a job where he is standing all day it is the nurses role to educate the patient on the prevalence especially for someone regularly on their feet of foot ulcers and how they are avoided. This model allows the nurse to give well rounded care to his/her patient and treat each patient as an
Engle (1980) …show more content…
The Diabetic foot may be defined as “a group of syndromes in which neuropathy, ischaemia and infection lead to tissue breakdown resulting in morbidity and possible amputation” (WHO, 1995). This definition from the World Health Organisation outlines the severity of neuropathy. According to Continuing Medical Education’s Journal (2010) 20-40% of longstanding diabetic patients develop peripheral neuropathy. Peripheral Neuropathy is nerve fibre damage due to abnormal nerve conduction. This abnormal nerve conduction is caused by the build-up of intracellular sorbitol and fructose in the peripheries of the body. This accumulation results in a reduced normal cell conduction due to the lack of cell myo-inistol. Neuropathy has a strong association with ischaemia due to vasoconstriction of the blood vessels and increased oxidative stress. Peripheral neuropathy is complex as it affects the sensory, autonomic and motor neurons of the peripheral vascular …show more content…
The biopsychosocial model of human health and illness is an effective model for a nurse to use when treating a patient with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Predominantly it treats the biological issue of the disease itself and the chronic pain that is associated with DPN. It treats the psychological issues that can arise such as a lack of sleep due to pain at night. It can allow the nurse to be vigilant when treating a patient with sleep deprivation as studies show that a lack of sleep can have many other psychological effects on the body such as high levels of anxiety, depression, low mood and general low outlook on life. Social factors which were not touched on in this essay such as social class, employment or ethnicity are also very important when treating a patient. There is a high prevalence of diabetic foot ulcers with neuropathy, if a nurse knows their patient for example is employed in a job where he is standing all day it is the nurses role to educate the patient on the prevalence especially for someone regularly on their feet of foot ulcers and how they are avoided. This model allows the nurse to give well rounded care to his/her patient and treat each patient as an