Diabetes: Worldwide Epidemic - Essay Example

A Report confirming that Diabetes, compared to other diseases, is the number one health threat in the UK. and Section # of > INTRODUCTION In this study, I have researched on the rise of Diabetes, which is at an alarming rate, compared to other chronic diseases in the UK. I will add a global context to my study. The rise in Diabetes does not prevail only in the UK but also other countries mostly developing nations. Also I have added to my research that if Diabetes is taken care off, then many patients could be saved from severe complications like loss of vision, high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol levels and kidney failure. The aim of this study is to investigate how patients with Diabetes are increasing almost four times the rate of rise in patients falling prey to other diseases. This is mainly due to obesity, which results in Type 2 Diabetes, as we will see ahead. The reason I have decided to research on this topic was because Diabetes has become a global problem and it develops various complications in patients with time. According to a report there are about 2.9 million patients suffering from Diabetes and if a similar trend follows, it might hit 5 million by 2050. (Diabetes UK 2012) METHODOLOGY I have used the Internet as the main source of my research. I have taken statistical data from various sites that illustrate how Diabetes is persistently rising at an alarming rate all across the globe. I have then added a graph to show that how controlling this situation could make a difference in the future of the patients. I have assured to use credible sources to make my research accurate. Also, it is related to statistical data about a medicine related subject and I have taken the data from online reports of the Diabetes organizations. The figures they have are directly taken from the hospitals and doctors records. Therefore, I am sure that all the information is genuine. Presentation and Description of Data: Figure 1: The Rate of Rise in Diabetes approximately four times the rate of Rise in Other Diseases. (Diabetes UK 2012) The graph above shows that rate at which Diabetes is rising four times the increase in rate of all the different types of Cancers combined. Between 2006 and 2007, Diabetes was rising at around 3.8 percent and this rate increased to 5.4 during 2009 and 2010; whereas, the rate of increase in Cancer was 0.9 percent and rose to about 1.3 percent as shown above. We can clearly compute that the difference in rise in rate for Diabetes was 1.6 (5.4-3.8) while for Cancer the rate was 0.4 (1.3-0.9), which is four times higher. Therefore, the slope of the chart for Diabetes is four times steeper than the slope for all the Cancers combined. Figure 2: Diabetes Rising Globally (Hope4Diabetes 2013) The charts above show the increase in the number of people with Diabetes in 2000 compared to the estimates predicted for 2030. It is visible that in developed countries the rise is gradual. The number of patients in the age group between 20-44 is not rising at all. There is about ¼ increase in the number of patients in the age bracket of 45-64. It is predicted that it will rise from about 25 million people to 60 million. There is a relatively greater increase in the number of patients of the age 65 and above, because of aging population. On the other hand, for developing nations, it can be seen that the increase in the number of patients will nearly double in the age group of 20-44. It is expected to rise from 29 million to 58 million people. The number of patients from 45 – 64 is more than twice; there is a rise from 60 million to approximately 135 million. Also the number of patients above the age of 65 has risen. It is estimated to rise from 30 million to 90 million, which is almost thrice the number of patients. There is a drastic change in the increase in the number of patients across the world and not only in the UK. However, there is a wide difference between the increase in the number of patients in developed countries and the increase in the number of patients in developing countries in all age groups. Figure 3: Regional Estimates of Prevalence of Diabetes. (Zimmet Shaw, p. 7) The table above shows how Diabetes will be rising at a rapid rate all across the globe. The respective regions are AFR – Africa, EUR –Europe, MENA - Middle East and North Africa, NAC - North American and Caribbean, SACA – South and Central American Region, SEA – South East Asian, WP- Western Pacific. The number of people with Diabetes is estimated to rise 98.1 percent in Africa, as we can see it will rise from 12.1 million patients to 23.9 million patients of the respective total populations, which is almost twice. Similarly, the number of patients is expected to rise in Europe by about 20.0 percent. By calculation, we can see the increase in the number of patients will be 11.1 million (66.5-55.4). Therefore, taking the change upon the original figure will give us the percentage change. That is, (11.1 /55.4)*100, which will give us 20 percent. The rise in the Middle East and North African region is also very high which is second at rank after the African region. The least number of patients will rise in the European region compared to the other regions, mainly developing regions that include the Middle East region, the African region, the South American region and the South Asian region. Yet, it is a warning for the population in the UK. The graph below relates to the Table 1. (Zimmet Shaw, p. 8) Figure 4: The number of people that could be saved from vision loss. (C3 Collaborating for Health 2013) The graph above shows that if precautionary measures are taken, about 2246 people can be saved from severe vision loss. In the initial years the number of patients losing vision due to complications caused by Diabetes will still be rising that are in the years between 2010 and 2020, it is estimated that 10300 people will lose vision instead of 10500 people. However, in the long run by 2030, 10500 people will lose vision instead of 12750 people. Therefore, we can see that the rate of increment in the patients losing vision will fall. The number is expected to rise from 9250 patients to 12750, which is 3500 patients. This is an approximately 38 percent increase ((3500/9250)*100). However if precautionary measures are taken, a change is expected, as 1250 patients (10500-9250) will suffer from loss of vision. This is an increase of 13.5 percent ((1250/9250)*100. Over the years, although the number of people with vision loss will rise, the rate will have fallen compared to the total number of patients with Diabetes and therefore about 2250 people will have been saved, had care not been taken. COMMENTARY AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA AND RESULTS: I will now discuss the relevance of these statistics. These graphs show how Diabetes Mellitus has been increasing four times the rate of other chronic diseases and the estimation of the rate of increase in the future. Figure 1 showed the relative slopes from the period of 2006 to 2010. It clearly depicted the difference in the rate of increase by the relative slopes of Diabetes compared to other diseases. Also at the same time, the prevalence of coronary heart diseases is at a constant high. Diabetes leads to various complications and heart diseases is one of the consequence. Therefore, the graph is evidence that due to the accelerating rate of Diabetes, coronary heart diseases are not reducing but remain stagnant. Figure 2 showed that this challenge is not being faced just in the UK but it is a global phenomenon. Diabetes is at rise globally and will follow a similar trend to 2030. The increase in number of patients in developing countries is mainly in the young population that is juvenile Diabetes. Whereas the increase is the number of patients in developed countries is mainly at the age of 65 and above because of the aging population. The number of people in the age bracket 20-44 isexpected to remain constant as precautionary measures is being taken to control Diabetes. While the number of patients is increasing in the developing nations drastically because of lack of awareness in the population, stress, less availability of medical facilities and professional doctors in remote areas, sedentary lifestyle, diet control and obesity. Figure 3 illustrates the prevalence of Diabetes in various regions across the globe. The greatest increase in the number of patients is in African and in the Middle Eastern regions while the least increase is in Europe. As it can be analyzed that Diabetes is increasing at a considerably higher rate in developing nations compared to developed regions as developed nations that are better-equipped to take hold of the situation. Figure 4 showed that if action is taken, the situation could be faced more positively. In the future; a large number of patients can be saved who could otherwise possibly lose vision due to Diabetes. CONCLUSION By assessing all the data that I have collected, it can be said that Diabetes is rising at a very high rate persistently, mainly in developing nations because of unawareness and the inability to provide adequate health facilities. Also other factors like stress, genetic susceptibility, consumption of a high carbohydrate diet and lack of physical activities, such as exercise and sports contribute to the causation of Diabetes. The increase in Diabetes will add to the healthcare budget excessively if prevention measures aren’t taken. “Diabetes could ‘bankrupt’ the NHS in 20 years,”the Daily Mail has reported.(Daily Mail Newspaper , Wednesday 25th April 2012) Diabetes is like a silent killer and it is just not a problem in itself but it damages various organs of the patient gradually and it can be fatal. It can lead to various other medical concerns if not controlled properly such as depression, weak eyesight, obesity, and excessive thirst. It can also lead to major complications such as kidney failure, heart attack, high blood pressure level, accelerated cholesterol levels, nerve damage and even stroke which can cause death. RECOMMENDATION In the recent years, there have been measures taken to prevent Diabetes and to protect the future of the upcoming generation. However, people do not give much heed to the situation unless they themselves or a family member falls prey to the illness. There should be frequent awareness programs to reduce the risk. The programs should not just be limited to educate the elderly but also to the upcoming generation. There should be Diabetes walks, and workshops to make the people aware of the complications of Diabetes, that can be fatal such as kidney failure, stroke, and heart diseases. Diabetes is one of the costliest health diseases in the world. As more and more people will have Diabetes it will add to the health budget. There can be various approaches to make people aware. On the World Diabetes Day, which is on the 14th of November, there should be special programs at every hospital or institute to spread awareness. There should be free glucose testing and blood pressure testing to help people who cannot afford to get them done frequently. Another approach is to encourage the upcoming generation to have fresh fruits and a healthy diet full of fiber and protein. They should avoid fully processed foods such as cereals that are also rich in carbohydrates. Also there should be more active Diabetes forums and communities for people to share their experience across the globe. Measures should also be taken in developing countries since they are at a greater threat. Urgent action is required to reduce the risk. And therefore the healthcare departments in the developing countries should conduct raising awareness programs frequently in schools and colleges. Young doctors and nurses should get together and form a group to make people aware of the illness and its effects. They should also invite young and educated patients to join the group and share their experience with newly diagnosed patients. 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