Type 1 Diabetes - Research Paper Example

? Type Diabetes 11-11 INTRODUCTION: Glucose, produced from the food, is the main source of energy for body’s proper mechanisms and enters blood to be further used by the cells. For the absorption of glucose by the cells, a hormone called insulin is required which is produced by the pancreas. When the body does not make sufficient insulin or when the body reduces the ability to use the insulin properly causes a condition known as diabetes. Type 1 Diabetes: The most common type of diabetes especially among children is “Type 1” or “Autoimmune” diabetes. The term “Type 1 diabetes” was designated in 1998. Until this time it was called “insulin-dependent” due to its nature and treatment. Before this, it was commonly known as “juvenile onset diabetes” because of its relatively high rate among children (Levy, 2011). In Type 1 diabetes, the pancreas loose the ability to make insulin, as the cells responsible for producing insulin are destroyed due to the process of autoimmunity in the body. In this process, the T cells of the immune system start to attack the beta cells of pancreas, thus resulting in complete destruction of insulin producing cells. Due to this reason, the glucose produced in the body remains in the bloodstream, resulting in increased blood glucose level (McCarthy et al, 2007). The symptoms of type 1 diabetes include intense thurst and hunger, tiredness, frequent urination, weight-loss and slow healing of wounds (McCarthy et al, 2007). The causes of type 1 diabetes are still unknown. There are a lot of assumptions as well as studies regarding the causes which include gender, geographical as well as genetic factors. But there is nothing for sure about the validity of its causes. Finland has the highest rate of Type 1 diabetes i.e. 43 per 100,00 while Japan has the lowest rate of 3 per 100,00 (netdoctor). This points to the fact that with the increasing latiude, rate of type 1 diabetes also increases (Levy, 2011). Type 1 diabetes is quite common as around 16 million or 5.9% of the population has developed this chronic disease. In United States, around 800,000 people are diagnosed with diabetes (Davidson, 2000). The effects of a Type 1 diabetes can be very damaging to the general health of a person. It can dammage every major organ of the body including heart, kidneys, sensory organs as well as brain. The chronic disease of type 1 diabetes can acutely damage the large blood vessels causing narrowing of large arteries known as atherosclerosis ultimately leading to a heart attack or poor blood flow to legs. Acute damage to small blood vessels may result in eye problems commonly known as diabetic retinopathy, or kidney failiures i.e. nephropathy or nerve damage known as neuropathy. It can also lead to many skin diseases as well (Rubin, 2008). Along with these physical problems, there are also emotional and psychologic effects of Type 1 diabetes. Stress can play a crucial role in unbalancing the blood glucose as the stress hormone i.e. adrenaline releases glucose from liver while it can not be consumed by the cells of the body (Hanas, 2007). Diabetes affects emotions of the patients directly as well as indirectly. One of the major behavioral affects caused by diabetes is irratibility along with drastic affects of anxiety and severe depression. The limitations faced by the patient of diabetes is ultimately expressed through anger. The lack of normal physical health makes that patient vulnerable. There are variety of emotions and problems related to every age group of pateints of Type 1 diabetes. Patients after being diagnosed have to adjust to a different routine which can be crucial especially in children. Having a altogether different lifestyle regarding diet, exercise and insulin doses makes may make them concious about their short-comings. Although there is no individual factor behind Type 1 diabetes causes, it may make its patients feel depressed or flawed. Growth and development is highly affected in Type 1 diabetes. In majority of the cases puberty is delayed. The preschoolers that have diabetes may develop low self-esteem, emotional insecurity resulting in delaying or marked difference in behavioural patterns as compared to his non-affected age group chidren. A lot of studies and researches have been conducted to find the affects of diabetes on its patients. A number of these studies show that the children who develop Type 1 diabetes before the age of five had relatively low IQ and showed low efficiency in learning. In adults poor metabolism is assiociated with slight chnages on measures of intellectual effeciency. Among the school going children, the frequent absences from school or college due to illness results in comparatively “lower verbal IQ scores” as well as “academic achievement test scores” (Davidson, 2000). If the diabetic patients develops other chronic problems such as neuropathy, retinopathy, celiac disease or nephropathy, the situation further deterirates on every developmental level of the patient. For example, a patient of type 1 diabetes develops a celiac disease result in acute weight problem as well as failure in growth and development along with unexplained diarrhea. A celic disease patient can not eat food containing gluten as it damages gastrointestinal walls. This dual disease condition leaves a severe impact on the growth of the patient, mentally, physically as well as emotionally (Rubin, 2008). Conclusion: The patients diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes not only have difficult circumstances to face in their lifestyles, but their families have equal part in those critical times. In neutralizing the drastic affects of the illness, family and friends play a vital role as they are the main support system of the patient. Children diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, in particular need a special care as they are the most vulnerable among all age groups. The treatments along with the dire affects of the illness on the general health of the patients can be very hard specially for the child patients. They need not only physical care but also emotional motivation to cope with their illness and try to live their lives normally. As there is really no cure of type 1 diabetes, other than to transplant pancreas, a lot of patience is required on every level that is from patient to family. As insulin dose only helps to keep the diabetic patients alive, it can not be regulated or permanently treated by it. Therefore, children with Type 1 diabetes need special care and check regarding their health and blood glucose level. References: Diabetes in Children. Retrieved from http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/diabeteschildren.htm Davidson, John K. (2000). Clinical diabetes mellitus: a problem-oriented approach, 3rd Ed. New York: Thieme. Levy, David. (2011). Type 1 Diabetes. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Hanas, Ragnar. (2007). Type 1 diabetes in children, adolescents, and young adults: how to become an expert on your own diabetes. London: Class Publishing. McCarthy, Moira. & Jake Kushner. (2007). The everything parent's guide to children with juvenile diabetes: reassuring advice for managing symptoms and raising a healthy, happy child. Avon, Mass: Adams Media. Rubin, Alan L. (2008). Type 1 diabetes for dummies. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley Publishing. Read More