Understanding of Diabetes Disease - Coursework Example

The Issue Report Main Issue: Diabetes Secondary Issue: Future Concerns Target Audience: The Readers of Biological Science Review Word count: 1,988 Introduction Diabetes is one of the more common diseases known to us and it affects a surprisingly large number of people. It is certainly not a rare disease at all because the American Diabetes Association (2008) estimates that nearly seven percent of the world population is affected by it. However, many people who are affected by it do not even recognize the symptoms or appreciate how dangerous the disease can be. Therefore, understanding that diabetes can be a silent killer makes it important for all of us who are concerned about matters related to health and wellbeing. Background Diabetes is a medical disease in which the human body can either not produce or not properly utilize the hormone called Insulin. Insulin itself is a naturally produced hormone which helps the body in converting sugars, starch and other food stuff into useful energy which is needed for the activities of daily life. While we know a lot about the effects of the disease, the cause of the ailment continues to be an unsolved mystery. However, both genetic and environmental influences have been noted to bring up the onset of diabetes and these include factors including obesity and a sedate lifestyle. The Diabetes UK (2008) organization also confirms the information provided by the ADA and gives further information regarding diabetes. According to the UK based charity, Diabetes is a condition where the the amount of sugar i.e. glucose in the blood is elevated abnormally since the body cannot use it properly. The glucose comes from the digestive system when starchy foods such as bread, rice, potatoes, chapatis, and plantain are consumed. High contents of glucose can also come from sugar or other sweet foods. The liver also produces glucose naturally within the body. Insulin is vital for life and it produced by the pancreas to help the glucose to enter the body cells where it can be used as fuel. Figure 1 Step by Step Process Explaining Diabetes (MedicaLook, 2007) Essentially, there are two types of diabetes known as Type 1 and Type 2. Of all the individuals affected by Diabetes, Type 1 is the less common type since it sets in when the body is completely unable to produce any insulin whatsoever. For those who are affected, this type of diabetes commonly appears before the person is forty.  Type 2 diabetes is more common and less easier to detect as well since in this situation, the body can still produce some insulin, but not enough for the cells to perform their function ideally. Type 2 diabetes can also set in when the insulin that is produced is not working correctly which is known as insulin resistance in the body. In many situations Type 2 diabetes is linked with being obese. This type of diabetes usually shows itself after age 40 but it certain segments of the population; it can show up as early as age 25. Recent research shows that an increasing number of children are being diagnosed with diabetes and some of them are as young as seven. Additionally, this type of diabetes is the most common version which accounts for almost 90% of all people diagnosed with the illness. The Diabetes UK (2008) organization also informs us that there are currently more than 2.3 million people who are living with diabetes in the UK and there are almost another million people with diabetes who are not aware that they have this disease. It is certainly an international problem because the number of individuals affected by diabetes around the world has made the World Health Organization notice the alarming rise of cases. Even in Australia, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reports that 7% of their population aged 25 and above suffer from diabetes which has made it a priority health area for them (AIHW, 2005). Even though people may have the disease, they may not know it. The reason for people not realizing that they might have diabetes comes from the various symptoms of the disease which are discussed in the next section. Symptoms The signs and symptoms of diabetes are many and complex but the major symptoms as discussed by the ADA (2008) and Diabetes UK (2008) include: Increased levels of thirst Increased need for urination especially at night Lethargy Sudden weight loss Extreme hunger Irritability Blurred vision Itching in the genital region Wounds taking a long time to heal Type 1 diabetes becomes easier to detect because the signs and symptoms will are very obvious and quite stark. They develop quickly within a period of a few weeks which can cause a person to be alarmed and seek help. On the other hand, with Type 2 diabetes, signs of the symptoms might be put down to age or other factors which may lead an individual to ignore the disease. In fact, the ADA (2008) recommends that if any of these symptoms are seen at any age, a doctor should be consulted as soon as possible. If proper treatment is obtained, the symptoms may be quickly countered. Additionally, early treatment will also reduce the chances of developing later serious health problems. Treatment The ADA (2008) and the Diabetes UK (2008) websites give useful information about the treatment of Diabetes. They say that the treatment for Diabetes depends on the type of diabetes a person has and in Type 1 diabetes where no insulin is produced by the body at all, insulin injections and a very controlled diet become a must. Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight is also recommended as a part of the treatment regime. Since insulin cannot be taken orally, injections of insulin become a part of the individual’s daily regime. Those suffering from Type 1 diabetes have to take two or more injections of insulin every day and these injections are vital to keep the person alive. Type 2 diabetes is comparatively easier to treat since it can be managed with lifestyle changes such as having a healthier diet, controlled weight loss and increasing personal levels of physical activity. Medicinal tablets as well as insulin injections may be used to maintain normal blood glucose levels.  The medication for the ailment works at several levels such as helping the pancreas to create more insulin, or to improve the use of insulin in the body. Some tablets reduce the speed at which glucose is absorbed and all these can be used in conjunction depending on the individual requirements of the body. It must be noted that Type 2 diabetes is progressive and if the diabetes cannot be controlled through changes in a person’s lifestyle, it may degenerate into type 1 diabetes where insulin injections become a requirement. In both situations, the aim of the treatments has the objective to ensure a blood glucose level, blood pressure level and cholesterol levels which are as close to normal as possible. Additionally, a healthy lifestyle would create better chances for the treatment to be successful and reduce the chances of damage to the eyes, kidneys, liver, nerves, heart or the arteries. While we know of several ways and means in which diabetes can be controlled, scientists are still not very sure about the causes of diabetes itself. Causes While we know that diabetes is a condition which sets in when the insulin producing cells in the pancreas have diminished capacity. However, as reported by Diabetes UK (2008, Pg. 1), “Nobody knows for sure why these cells have been damaged but the most likely cause is an abnormal reaction of the body to the cells. This may be triggered by a viral or other infection”. The Center for Disease Control (2004) in America has pointed out that there are some links between diabetes and being overweight. However, there are some risk factors for diabetes which have been pointed out by the CDC (2004), the ADA (2008) and the Diabetes UK (2008) charity. These include genetic risk factors, i.e. a parent or a sibling diagnosed with diabetes. Being overweight or having a waist size which is significantly more than the normal range for the person’s height. Individuals who have had a stroke or have high blood pressure are also at risk for diabetes as well as overweight women who have polycystic ovary syndrome. Age also becomes a risk factor along with ethnicity as individuals over 40 have a greater risk of diabetes than the rest of the population. Ethnicity also appears to play a part since South Asians or those from the African-Caribbean are five times more likely to develop diabetes than the Caucasian population. Close relatives such as parents and siblings with diabetes also become a risk factor when a person is evaluated for developing diabetes. Perhaps most importantly, more than 80% of the people who have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes are also found to be overweight. These issues and risk factors have led the World Health Organization to be highly concerned about diabetes Future Concerns The WHO (2003) reports that diabetes is a serious concern for the future health of the world. The organization has noted that there has been a serious increase in both the prevalence and incidence of type 2 diabetes globally. This is particularly true of societies which are undergoing an economic transition in the newly industrialized world and in many developing countries. The number of people suffering from diabetes around the world is expected to be doubled by the year 2025 with the greatest number of cases being found in countries like China and India. While diabetes was considered to be a disease of the elderly in past years, it has recently found in escalating numbers for all age groups. Even the United Nations (2006) has recognized this as an international problem and has selected the blue ring to denote its campaign to fight diabetes. Figure 2 The Blue Circle for Diabetes While the disease may be easily controlled by those individuals who have diabetes in the first world, in regions such as sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, diabetes can be a killed disease much as malaria or AIDS. In fact, Malaria and tuberculosis are two instances of diseases which are not really an issue for a country like the UK. However, in other less developed parts of the world, these diseases are indeed an important problem in social as well as economic terms which requires our attention. Gerson (2006) says that: “We see the deadly prevalence of AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis and diabetes in the developing world, and we also possess the technologies and resources to prevent and treat those diseases. Our capabilities create responsibilities. Our indifference creates casualties. Confronting disease abroad is generally not ideologically controversial; it is a matter of political will (Gerson, 2006, Pg. 42).” As the world develops, the lifestyles of the people also change and as a sedentary lifestyle increases the risk of diabetes and other diseases, education becomes a key tool for prevention. The WHO (2004) and other organizations understand that diabetes will be an important health concern globally in the very near future and it is up to the health related professionals of the future to ensure that the health of the public is maintained. At the same time, scientists are busy trying to find a cure for diabetes and their efforts must also be supported since it is a disease which has a very heavy social and economic cost for all concerned and involved parties. Works Cited ADA. 2008, ‘All About Diabetes’, American Diabetes Association, [Online] Available at: http://www.diabetes.org/about-diabetes.jsp AIHW. 2005, ‘National Health Priority Areas’, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, [Online] Available at: http://www.aihw.gov.au/nhpa/ CDC. 2004, ‘Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity Among Adults with Diagnosed Diabetes’, Center for Disease Control, [Online] Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwR/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5345a2.htm Diabetes UK. 2008, ‘Introduction to Diabetes’, Diabetes UK, [Online] Available at: http://www.diabetes.org.uk/Guide-to-diabetes/What_is_diabetes/ Gerson, M. 2006, ‘A New Social Gospel’, Newsweek, vol. 148, no. 20, pp. 40-43. MedicaLook. 2007, ‘Diabetes’, [Online] Available at: http://www.medicalook.com/Diabetes/ UN. 2006, ‘IDF Chooses Blue Circle to Represent UN Resolution Campaign’, United Nations, [Online] Available at: http://www.unitefordiabetes.org/news/campaign/idf_chooses_blue_circle_to_represent_un_resolution_campaign/index.html WHO. 2003, ‘Diet, Nutrition and the Prevention of Chronic Diseases’, World Health Organization, [Online] Available at: http://www.who.int/nutrition/topics/dietnutrition_and_chronicdiseases/en/ Read More