Prevention of Diabetes - Research Paper Example

Diabetes Diabetes is a chronic disease and hence the essay aims to look at its superseding symptoms, types and tests for prevention. It is worthy to observe diabetes is a disease just like hypertension, cancer, gout and stroke among others that are mostly caused by modern lifestyles. These include eating of excess junk food and lack of exercises especially for obese children. It is also passed through human genes in the family history but when detected earlier can be prevented. This means the essay tackles how diabetes is caused though various apparent symptoms and the characteristics of types of diabetes (Mathews, et al 2008). It is also imperative to note the tests to conduct in order to seek treatment early before the disease becomes full blown. Diabetes has been categorized as lifetime or chronic ailment that occurs when there is a high amount of sugar in the blood. On that note, it is necessary to observe that diabetes is caused by many factors that are worth observing. For example, before dwelling on the factors, it is urgent to define insulin as a hormone formed in the pancreas in order to regulate the workings of blood sugar (Mathews, et al 2008). If there is too little amount of insulin in the body, then diabetes occurs. Alternatively, the presence of any form of resistance to insulin may also induce diabetes to the body of an individual. In the same aspect, before delving on how diabetes occurs, it is critical to note the breakdown of food in the body. For example, there is a sugar referred to as glucose that penetrates into the bloodstream. This glucose generates fuel for the entire body. Additionally, insulin is made by a sensitive organ called pancreas. This means insulin plays a fundamental role of moving glucose from the areas of the bloodstream right into the muscle, liver cells and fat where it is utilized as fuel. On that account, persons with diabetes suffer from hypertension because their bodies cannot process sugar into liver, fat and muscle cells to be packaged for energy. The main reasons for the aforementioned process may be because their pancreas does not process adequate insulin for the body or their cells lack an amicable response with insulin normally in the body. However, both of the reasons may also result to lack of the body processing sugar into fat and liver among other components (Mathews, et al 2008). It is significant to acknowledge that there are three main types of diabetes. However, the risk factors and causes are both dissimilar to each of the types. First, there is Type 1 diabetes that does not discriminate on age and hence affects even small children. This is why its diagnosis has mostly featured young adults, teens and children. Additionally, in this type of diabetes, the body processes a small amount of insulin or no insulin at all. Therefore, in order to manage this type of diabetes, it is crucial to receive daily injections of insulin in order to sustain the falling sugar levels in the body. Another thing is that the cause of Type 1 diabetes has never been known. There is also the type 2 diabetes. This diabetes is the most prevalent and targets mostly adults (Hanas, 2007). However, latest research indicates that the disease is now affecting even children especially because of the high rates of obesity. There is also a predominant abnormality during the early stages of type 2 diabetes. This is because there is inadequate sensitivity of insulin in the body of the victim. In the same context, there are various measures of reversing hyperglycemia and the provision of assorted medications that recover insulin sensitivity or decrease the production of glucose by the liver. Another type of diabetes that has a close resemblance to type 2 is gestational diabetes. It entails the inadequacy of insulin responsiveness and secretion. In pregnancies, it affects about 2%-5% of women but may increase or disappear after delivery. Similarly, it is essential to observe that this type of diabetes is treatable but needs watchful medical supervision especially during the period of pregnancy. On the other hand, about 20%-50% of women who have suffered gestational diabetes get type 2 diabetes in later life. Though gestational diabetes is temporary, if it is untreated it may destroy the health of a mother or the fetus (Regensteiner, et al 2009). In other words, the kid is predisposed to risks such as high birth weight or macrosomia, anomalies of central nervous system and congenital cardiac problems. Others include the malfunctions of skeletal muscles. Still, additional fetal insulin may prevent the production of fetal surfactant and hence result to respiratory distress syndrome. However, there are also symptoms of high blood sugar levels in the body. They include fatigue, frequent urination especially for adults, hunger that is most prevalent with young children and weight loss (Hanas, 2007). Others include excess thirst because of body dehydration and having a blurry vision. It also important to note that the development of type 2 is slow hence there may be no presence of symptoms. On the other hand, the development of type 1 is over a short period of time hence the presence of symptoms. Therefore, it is vital to understand the signs and tests of diabetes in order to void its spread. These include urine analysis where an evaluation of high blood is conducted. There are also blood tests that include Hemoglobin A1c test and the fasting of glucose level (Regensteiner, et al 2009). On that account, it is urgent for the government and other organizations to teach people on living a healthy lifestyle. This is to avoid lifelong diseases such as diabetes and cancer among others. People should also be encouraged to eat balanced diets with lots of fruits to strengthen the antibodies in the body (Mathews, et al 2008). Similarly, it is essential to participate in exercises such jogging, sprinting and lifting weights in order to enhance blood flow in the body. In other words, people should avoid activities that predispose them to such chronic diseases. References Hanas, R. (2007). Type 2 Diabetes in Adults of All Ages. New York, NY: SAGE. Mathews, D. et al (2008). Diabetes. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. Regensteiner, J. et al (2009). Diabetes and Exercise. New York, NY: Springer. Read More