Approaches to a Health-Disease Problem - Essay Example

HEALTH AND DISEASE By Department 31st January 0 Diabetes Diabetes is a disease which in the minds of many people is one-dimensional, based on the understanding they hold that it is all about the presence of sugars in urine. This feature is associated with fear of complications, thus creating poor management for the disease leading to its increased occupation. Even though presence of sugars in the urine is an indication of diabetes, it does not mean that the person is diabetic. Diabetes has been defined in many ways. Doctors refer to it as diabetes mellitus, “a group of metabolic diseases in which the person has high blood glucose (blood sugar), either because insulin production is inadequate, or because the body’s cells do not respond properly to insulin, or both” (MediLexicon International Ltd, n.d.). It is a lifelong condition that affects a person’s blood sugar levels (NHS Choices, n.d.). There are two types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes affects the immune system and destroys the cells that are responsible for production of insulin. In the UK population, type 1diabetes “affects around 0.3 %” of the total population (Taylor and Batey, 2012, n.d.). Taylor and Batey add that “approximately 0.2% of children of school age have type 1diabetes in the UK” (2012, n.d.). According to Redfern, “type 1 diabetes is an inflammatory autoimmune disease that damages the pancreas, resulting in a lack of insulin” (2013, p. 14). When insulin is not produced, the glucose levels in the blood stream go up and the effect has a serious threat to the body organs. It often occurs during an early age i.e., before 40. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the pancreas generates enough insulin but the cells are unable to use it. Instead of glucose entering the cells, it remains in the blood stream affecting the balance of the hormones (Redfern, 2013). Type 2 is more common than type 1, for example in UK, around 90% of grownups with diabetes are associated with type 2 diabetes (NHS Choices, n.d.). 1.1 Sociological Approach to Health The functionalists’ perspective also referred to as functionalism is a theoretical standpoint in sociology. It originated from an interest on how a society behaves. It analyses the whole society and its integrals such as institutions. The integral parts are dependent on each other and according to Crossman, “functionalism emphasises the consensus and order that exist in society, focusing on social stability and shared public values” (n.d.). The functionalists’ perspective views the society as being made of interconnected and mutually independent parts. Each of these parts functions according to the values, expectations and obligations, and by so doing, it brings the society together (Molnar and Kelly, 2013). Social conflict theory has been defined by Moffitt (n.d.) as “a macro-oriented paradigm in sociology that views society as an arena of inequality that generates conflict and social change”. It views social life as a competition, and is based on distribution of resources, power and equality. Social conflict theory focuses on the perspective that the society is unjust; it is not fair to all people especially the minority. 1.1.1 Functionalist structural theory Functionalists theory was formulated by Talcott Parsons; he assumed that “any smoothly functioning society would have ways to keep illness, like any other potential problem, from damaging it” (Brinkerhoff et al., 2007, p. 224). This understanding has that sickness is a form of deviance because it keeps an individual from performing daily social responsibilities. Functionalist theory also states that some people are to be held responsible for their sicknesses for example, when someone is diagnosed with cold fever, he will be blamed for not taking care of himself. The same goes for the diabetic whereby those affected by the illness may be seen to be eating too much. Diabetes is one of the chronic illnesses and plays part in application of sick roles’ understanding by functional theory. Although people suffering from the chronic diseases may not have full recovery, some of them may be managed so that they can lead normal lives; this applies to diabetes (Cooke and Philpin, 2003). 1.1.2 Conflict theory on medication Just the way people understood structural functionalists, social idea about sickness still assigns a role to the sick in the society i.e., to keep the continuity of the society. However, as per conflict theory, the social ideas are about the competing interests among the social groups (Brinkerhoff et al., 2007). While functionalism has been the principal tradition in educational matters and research, it has faced a lot of competition from the conflict theory. Functionalists hold that the educational change is a progressive motion towards technical growth and social amalgamation. On the other hand, conflict theory holds that in complex societies, there is the unending struggle between different groups holding power and status (Feinberg and Soltis, 2004). The differences that prevail between the functional perspective and the conflict theory are the ways in which they view and interpret what they see in the world. The functionalist views the society and sees a social order; it sees a good working relationship between organisations and individuals to produce a reasonable equilibrium (Burdys, 2005). Functionalists observe that organisations and groups exist because of their role in serving the social purpose. According to functionalists, there is evidence that societies are modifying institutions so as to meet the elementary social need, and therefore the society is able to meet its needs through the organisations that it develops. Given the needs in the society, the society is capable of making adjustments and regulations and achieves stability and continuity. In contrast to conflict theory, functionalists have a positive outlook. “Functionalists argue that a better balance is achieved as social institutions drop some functions, add new ones, and make other adjustments” (Burdys, 2005, p.14). When conflict theory makes an observation on the same scene as the functional theory, it sees a disorder. It observes the society as divided, and the division is further fuelled by the biasness in judgement. In every event, there are behind the scene issues that occur and influence the society. It argues that few people can succeed and make it to the top i.e. becoming rich. “One might conclude that the conflict theory is far more pessimistic than the functionalists with regard to the role played by social institutions and the likelihood that any changes that occur in the structure of social institutions will be beneficial to anyone but the haves” (Budrys, 2005, p.16). Zastrow and Krist-Ashman (2009) also observe that functionalism views the society to be made up of interdependent and interrelated parts, while conflict theory views the society to be a place of struggle for the limited resources among the people. Stolley (2005) says that functionalists focus on balance and stability in the society, while conflict theory displays the society as compromised and characterised by inequality and change. Functionalist theory is also evolutionary where it agitates for the rebalancing of the system, while conflict theory is revolutionary; various groups are conflicting while vying for the scarce resource. Many agencies and organisations have put in place measures to reduce the risk of getting type 2 diabetes and heart diseases. Like any other chronic disease, the chances of developing type 2 diabetes can be reduced through living a healthy lifestyle. The public health agencies give some advices on how to go about this, for example, controlling their diet, avoiding smoking and loosing excess weight through body exercise. The American Diabetes Association (n.d.) has echoed these advices also adding that eating healthy is one of the most important things that one can do to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. National Diabetes has gone a step further by providing tips for keeping physically fit, as well as being able to get a balanced diet through healthy food guides, for example drinking water, eating fruits and taking time when eating. In the UK, diabetes UK is the largest organisation that deals with people suffering from diabetes. It organises campaigns, funds research and raises awareness to help people living with diabetes. The walking away from diabetes programmes aims at reducing people’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes. This is done by encouraging them to engage more in physical activities and changing behaviour. In research carried out to unveil the methods of reducing diabetes, Unger reports that lifestyle proved worth for both men and women across all ethnic groups (2013). According to him, “in subjects older than 60 years, lifestyle intervention reduced the progression to diabetes by 71%” (Unger, 2013, p.329). That is, in people over the age of 60, changes in lifestyle were found to reduce progression of diabetes by 71%. As a matter of fact, the same result showed that another method of diabetic reduction called Metformin was less effective compared to lifestyle intervention. In order that people are enabled to be more successful in managing their diabetic nature, alternative methods have to be devised so as to enable people enhance their own care. Many researchers suggest that one of the methods is the use of empowerment approach; this is to mean that the victim is encouraged to control his day to day diabetic nature, hence have control of his own life. One challenge to empowerment approach is having many people who have different thoughts as this affects how they interpret the world (Rodgers, 2008). It is easier to control type 2 diabetes and therefore alternative and contemporary methods are applied such as the use of minerals, vitamins, herbs and appropriate food (Prevention, n.d.). Examples are Acetyl- carnitine, Aloe, Akpha lioic acid and antioxidants. 2.0 Conclusion There are several disciplines that inform the society on the aspects of health. Sociology is one of those disciplines where the issues of health, illnesses and body sociology are studied. The sociology of social functionalism and conflict theory plays part in underpinning health issues in the society. Whereas the functionalism theory states on how the society will adjust itself to the demanding issue, conflict theory explains the divisions among various groups which may detriment the fight against the growing problem of diabetes. Conflict theory reflects on political issues and differences between the rich and the poor. Public agencies that offer solutions to diabetes have the influence of both theories. It is expected that the growth of society will contribute to the growth of these agencies, but if as per the conflict theory such organisations get influenced by divisions and politics, then the health of the society will be compromised. Unless the whole community works as one unit, diabetes may remain a challenge for a longer period. Through such agencies, people have been educated on how to reduce the chances of contacting diabetes by maintaining physical fitness and eating proper balanced diet. Furthermore, there are alternative ways of dealing with diabetes through medication as prescribed by the doctors. Reference List American Diabetes Association, n.d. Lower your risk. [online]. Available at: . [Accessed 30 January 2015]. Brinkerhoff, D. et al., ed., 2007. Essentials of Sociology. Belmont, CA: Cengage Learning. Burdys, G., 2005. Our Unsystematic Health Care System. Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield. Cooke, H. and Philin, S., 2003. Sociology in Nursing and Healthcare. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Health Sciences. Crossman, A., n.d. Conflict Theory. [online]. Available at: [Accessed 30 January 2015]. Feinberg, W. and Soltis, J. F., 2004. School and Society. New York, NY: Teachers College Press. MediLexicon International Ltd., n.d. What is Diabetes? What Causes Diabetes? [online] Available at: [Accessed 30 January 2015]. Moffitt, K., n.d. Social Conflict Theory in Sociology: Definition, Lesson & Quiz. [online] Available at: [Accessed 30 January 2015]. Molnar, G. and Kelly, J., 2013. Sport, Exercise and Social Theory: An Introduction. Oxon, OX: Routledge. National Diabetes Education Program, n.d. Tips for Teens: Lower your Risk for Type 2 Diabetes. [online] Available at: [Accessed 30 January 2015]. NHS Choices, n.d. Diabetes. [online] Available at: [Accessed 30 January 2015]. Prevention, 2011. Alternative Treatments for Type 2 Diabetes. [online] Available at: [Accessed 30 January 2015]. Public Health Agency of Canada, n.d., Reducing the Risk of Diabetes. [online]. Available at: [Accessed 30 January 2015]. Redfern, R., 2013. Solving Diabetes Type 2 in 27 Days. London: Naturally Healthy Publications. Rodgers, J., 2008. Using Insulin in Diabetes: A Guide for Nation: A Guide for Nurses and Other Health Professionals. West Sussex: John Willey. Stolley, K. S., 2005. The Basics of Sociology. Westport, CT: Greenwood Publishing Group. Taylor, R. and Batey, D., 2012. Handbook of Retinal Screening in Diabetes: Diagnosis and Management. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons. Unger, J., 2013. Diabetes Management in Primary Care. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Zastrow, C. and Krist-Ashman, K., 2009. Understanding Human Behaviour and the Social Environment. Belmont, CA: Cengage Learning. Read More