Vivendo e convivendo com o diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is considered a major health problem due to the number of affected people, disability and premature mortality, for the resulting from the cost of its control, treatment and its complications. The fact that the treatment requires changes in habits and lifestyle, the use of continuous medication, physical activity scheduled, frequent blood glucose monitoring, medical appointment, get the control uncertain. Studies show that caregivers, family and health professionals have a positive influence on health maintenance and disease control, regardless of the period of the life cycle they are. Towards the expose, the objective was to study the living and family dynamics of the individual with diabetes mellitus in Paranavaí-PR city. This is a qualitative study conducted with eight diabetic patients and seven relatives living in Paranavaí-PR, aged between 18 and 71 years and 27 to 73 years respectively. People hospitalized twice in 2008 and 2009 with a maximum interval among internments of 12 months in hospitals in the city. Data were collected from May to July 2010 in their residence, through recorded interviews following a semi structured script. The interviews were transcribed and then submitted to analysis of categorical content (Bardin). The results show that diabetic patients and relatives showed lack of knowledge of what diabetes is, but present knowledge of the consequences and causes of disease. It evidenced that diabetics find it hard to keep the disease under control and that despite the concern of the family with the change of habits they have low adherence to recommended care for metabolic control, especially in relation to food. Diabetics and their families adopt effective and domicile practices and right toward hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia, and that right after glycerin stabilization, they seek treatment in the Basic Health Unit closest to home. They showed satisfaction with the attendance received in primary and secondary care and were not able to identify the nurse during the healthcare received. It's concluded that there is a need for greater attempt and dedication on the part of health teams, in special nurses, regarding the systematization of these people's care, enabling them and developing a more focused care on the needs of this population, developing into actions in daily practice, contributing to the maintenance of wellbeing, disease control, as well as the reduction and elimination of harmful effects of diabetes within the reality of each family.