Diabetes, its Cause, Complications and Prevention Methods - Essay Example

This health problem affects approximately 16 million people in the U.S. in addition to at least another five million who do not realize they are afflicted with the condition. These already high numbers swell each year along with the rising health care costs associated with the disease. This paper examines the causes, complications and preventive measures people can take to prevent Type II Diabetes. Causes The body produces the chemical insulin as a natural means of managing the production of glucose in the system.

When the body does not produce enough insulin, larger amounts of glucose are permitted into the bloodstream thus causing the symptoms of diabetes. There are two kinds of diabetes, Type One and Type Two. Type One Diabetes, also known as juvenile diabetes, is caused by the inability of the body to create insulin. Type Two, or ‘adult-onset diabetes’ describes the circumstance where the body creates insulin but the muscles, liver and fat cannot properly process it. This bodily resistance to insulin is due to both genetic and environmental reasons.

Genetics play a role in the likelihood of developing diabetes, as studies on twins has shown. Family history also determines the tendency to gain weight which greatly contributes to the condition. ‘Environmental reasons’ is a polite way to say overweight. The number of diabetes cases is growing in America because American’s waistlines are growing. . glucose in the urine, excessive thirst, changes in vision, unexplained weight loss, intense hunger episodes and/or constantly eating, abnormally high incidences of infection, tiredness or weakness, tingling or numbness in the extremities (feet, hands) and slow-healing sores or wounds.

Type II Diabetes also carries very serious health implications. Diabetics suffer strokes and heart attacks at twice the average rate and at a younger age. These are the leading cause of an untimely death for diabetics. The elevated blood glucose levels associated with diabetes puts parts of the body, from literally head to toe, in great danger by restricting blood flow which damages nerves and blood vessels leading to deadly complications. If left uncontrolled, diabetes will ultimately cause other health issues such as amputations, blindness and kidney failure.

Nerve damage results in a host of problems such as erectile dysfunction and Gastroparesis, a chronic stomach disorder. Bladder, kidney failure and urinary issues are also common among diabetics. Prevention A person cannot change their genetic history but can take several steps to prevent diabetes issues. It is possible a low-dose aspirin regiment would lower the risk for heart disease. Feet, eyes, kidney and urine samples should be examined by a doctor once per year. Blood pressure, blood creatinine and cholesterol levels should be monitored regularly.

Diabetics should eat healthily by following a prescribed diet plan, check and record blood glucose daily, brush teeth daily and do not smoke. Smoking greatly increases the chance of developing heart disease or having a stroke, the two main health issues for diabetics. Staying at a proper weight and exercising regularly is an important method of controlling the harmful effects of