Diabetes is a long term condition that is marked by very high levels of glucose in the blood. The sufferer is unable to produce sufficient insulin – a hormone that turns glucose and starch to energy necessary for life. Diabetes also occurs when the body is unable to use the insulin that has been provided by the body which leads to a build-up of glucose in the blood stream (University of Maryland Medical Center). If diabetes is not treated it could lead to kidney disease, blindness, heart disease or stroke. Diabetes still remains a disease with unclear causes although environment, lifestyle and genetics have been known to contribute or trigger chances of diabetes (CDC).
Diabetes has a lot of complications and can shorten the life of its patients by anything from 4 to over 20 years depending of the sex and race of the sufferer. Statistics have shown that unless people go and get checked and treat themselves if they have diabetes, or live right if they have pre-diabetes, the rate of sufferers will increase by 64% in 2025 (Institute for Alternative Futures).
Types of Diabetes
Type 1 – this is sometimes called insulin dependent or juvenile diabetes. It occurs as a result of the destruction of the immune system which occurs when the cells in the pancreas cannot produce the necessary insulin it needs. When this happens the blood sugar levels cannot be regulated appropriately. Type 1 is diagnosed mostly in children and as of today it can’t be cured. It can however be controlled in a way that the sufferers can live a normal life.
Type 2 – this is the most common form of diabetes and 90% of diabetes sufferers have Type 2. This develops more commonly in adulthood and it occurs when insufficient insulin is provided by the pancreas leading to an abnormal level of blood glucose in the body. It is also triggered by a sedentary lifestyle, being overweight and poor food choices. Type 2 diabetes is becoming more common due to the fact that many older Americans are increasingly obese and lacking an active life that includes exercise. Unlike Type 1, Type 2 diabetes can be improved and even reversed due to lifestyle changes like losing excess weight, exercising and eating right.
Pre-diabetes – this occurs in individuals whose blood glucose levels are not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes but is still higher than normal. This condition could increase the risk of Type 2 diabetes which could come with heart disease or stroke. This is also called insulin resistance, impaired fasting glucose (IFG) or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). Pre-diabetes is getting more common in the United States and sufferers are more likely to have Type 2 diabetes in about a decade.
Gestational Diabetes – this occurs in time of pregnancy for a woman who does not currently have diabetes but has high blood glucose. It mostly disappears after child birth and affects only 4 % of pregnant women. Unfortunately it also increases their risks of having Type 2 diabetes in future.
Diabetes and Statistics
While approximately 26 million people in America have been diagnosed with diabetes, a further 79 million people have a condition that makes them likely to have Type 2 diabetes (CDC). This is called prediabetes. Although it is not always the case a very good symptom of one likely to be diabetic is in their being overweight or obese as a healthier lifestyle has been known to reduce chances at Type 2 diabetes for up to 60%. On average people who have been diagnosed with diabetes could incur a cost of $11,744 per year and more than half of that would be attributed to diabetes (American Diabetes Association). Their medical expenditure is higher and one-fifth of every health care dollar is spent to care for a diagnosed diabetes sufferer. A lot of research has gone in to studying and understanding how to survive with diabetes
The 2011 National Diabetes Factsheet has released their data on diabetes. It is assumed that 8% of the American population are living with diabetes although 25% of that number remains undiagnosed. While diabetes is more prevalent in adults, children have been diagnosed with diabetes. In 2007 diabetes was said to have contributed to over 200,000 deaths. Diabetes comes with other complications and makes patients more likely to suffer from heart diseases or strokes. It also increased chances of blindness, kidney diseases, problems with the nervous system and amputation. It has been claimed to be the sixth largest cause of death (Ohio State University). The financial impact on diabetes in America is $245 billion and this covers medical costs and its cost in reduced productivity (American Diabetes Association).
Signs, Symptoms and Causes of Diabetes
The symptoms of Type 1 diabetes occur more abruptly and they could range from an increase in thirst and urination, fatigue and nausea, drastic weight loss even though they may be seen to eat more, abdominal pain and stop of menstruation cycle for the women. Type 2 diabetes on the other hand usually shows no symptoms and they don’t get detected unless someone goes in for a routine exam. However some symptoms may occur slowly over time. These symptoms may be a poor vision, having wounds that do not heal properly, impotence or burning sensations in the feet and legs. Diabetes is caused by a lack of response by the cells to insulin in the body (University of Maryland). This could be as a result of insufficient production or absence. Insulin is very important in regulating the body’s metabolism. Once food is digested glucose molecules are taken directly to the blood and the levels of blood glucose rises. This rise allows the beta cells in the pancreas to release insulin in the blood. In a chain reaction insulin allows glucose enter the cells in the body to be burned for energy or preserved for a later use.
Type 1 diabetes occurs when the beta cells produce little or no insulin. This inadequate insulin makes glucose build up in the blood stream instead of the cells. As the insulin is needed to be converted to glucose for energy, a lack tells the body that it is hungry and leads to increased hunger. The patient also urinates more and feels thirsty all the time due to the high levels of glucose in the blood. Within a decade of being diagnosed insulin is no longer produced as the beta cells that would have done the job would have been destroyed.
Type 2 diabetes occurs in mostly overweight adults who have become resistant over time to the effects of insulin. In Type 2 diabetes the pancreas does indeed produce sufficient insulin but for some reason this insulin cannot be used effectively by the body. The insulin produced cannot work with the fat and muscle cells to eventually produce energy. In a bid to compensate the pancreas produces more insulin that is still resisted by the cells and it leads to a vicious cycle. Type 2 diabetes over time and even though it has been stressed that overweight people are more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes, it has also been known to affect lean people.
Diagnosis and Prevention of Diabetes
The American Diabetes Association has stated that pregnant women in their third trimesters should be checked for gestational diabetes. People that are older than 45 years old should also check their blood glucose levels every three years and for those with a high risk of developing diabetes a bit more. Diabetes sufferers must monitor their blood sugar and regularly see their doctor. Diet, exercise and medication must also be altered to ensure that the sufferer is doing the best they can to control or reverse the diabetes with regards to Type 2.
There is no proven cure for Type 1 diabetes but adequate diet and vitamin D in the first year of a child could greatly reduce their chance of getting diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is also preventable and this is mostly by life choices. A sedentary life would greatly increase one’s chances of diabetes. Studies on this topic has shown that moderate exercise like walking for 30 minutes a day could very well lower one’s chances of developing Type 2 diabetes. A change in diet may also be necessary to go with the more active lifestyle in a bid to reverse or prevent Type 2 diabetes.
Treatment of Diabetes
Since diabetes mainly has to deal with blood glucose level in the body, maintaining a healthy level could reduce the risk of suffering complications that are common to diabetes sufferers. Some of the easiest ways to prevent complications are
Changes to lifestyle – the ADA recommends that sufferers attempt to have a diet that is healthy, low in fat and rich in fruits, vegetables and grains. Carbohydrates have the most effect on blood glucose and sufferers need to watch their servings of carbohydrate. Weight loss also needs to be part of the plan and this can be achieved through exercising and moderate food portions. Exercise helps manage and prevent diabetes so it plays a very important part in the treatment as it increases the pumping of the heart and reduces blood pressure. Exercising works best when it is done regularly.
Prescribed medication and insulin – medication is always paired with lifestyle changes in the maintenance and management of diabetes. The most common medication is insulin but there are others that help fight against diabetes.
Techniques for relaxation – stressful events of life have been known to worsen diabetes so sufferers try to find ways of relaxation. Stress management and sometimes acupuncture have been used as methods to control and cure diabetes.
Supplements – dietary supplements work with insulin in its fight against diabetes but should never be started without the express knowledge and approval of the health care provider. People have also turned to herbs in their treatment of diabetes. Some of the most common herbs used are bitter melon, gymnema, cinnamon or American ginseng.
Type 2 – the main goal of this treatment is to try to keep the blood sugar level as normal as possible. Therefore activities like a regular physical activity, planning of healthier meals and regular healthcare will be very important parts of the treatment. The treatment of diabetes is not a one off treatment but rather an on-going process that involves the patient, involved family members and the health care providers. In addition most patients need to regularly have their foot inspected and also receive oral medication. However research is on-going to produce new medication that could treat diabetes with GLP-1 being a very good example of such medication (Ohio State University). When a strict treatment plan is not been followed problems could be had with the legs, eyes, kidneys nerves and blood flow which generally present complications for the sufferer. Scientists are working hard towards having a breakthrough by investigating gene involvement and genetic markers as well as pancreas transplants.
Type 1 – this deserves a more careful monitoring and adherence to one’s required treatment. Sufferers must daily inject themselves with insulin in a bid to bring their blood sugar levels to normal. In addition to treatments for Type 2 diabetes type 1 sufferers must also carefully monitor their ketone levels in their urine and this is to be done several times a day as stated by their doctor. They also need to monitor their haemoglobin A1C levels regularly (Ohio State University).
Research in Diabetes
A lot of research has gone into better preventing and treating diabetes and ultimately finding a cure for it. One of the most common results from this research has shown the possibility of reducing the incidence of type 2 diabetes through a change of lifestyle. It is a fact that a child is more likely to be prone to type 2 diabetes if the parents do not live a healthy lifestyle as they pick up those traits early on from the parents (Not Me). People have been advised to alter their way of lives by including activities that could help them as well as watch what they eat. Helpful activities do not have to be expensive as it could be something as easy as walking the dog or coming off the bus a stop early and walking the rest of the way. Research has also shown that these studies do not have to sit in the pages of books or articles but they should be taken into the communities and shown to work. This research has given rise to many such activities like ‘Let’s Move’ and others like it that have made exercising and having an active life possible and fun. Although eventually medication is necessary for the management and treatment of diabetes a healthy lifestyle can reduce the chances of diabetes by up to 60%.
With ever increasing technology there have been solutions found to providing better care for diabetes. Insulin that acts faster and longer help in providing more options in managing insulin-dependent diabetes. Testing and tracking blood glucose is also made easier through the provision of new model monitors. Science has made it more comfortable and possible to live with diabetes. Lifestyle changes that could help prevent diabetes are possible and they could be changes as easy as diet and exercise. Islet transplantation is procedures that could help people that have Type 1 diabetes produce their own insulin (American Diabetes Association). While the long term success of this procedure is still some ways off, people are very hopeful.
Conclusion
While diabetes may not carry as much dread as cancer or AIDS it must be noted that it is still a killer. Although type 1 diabetes has no cure it can be managed and science and research gives the hope that in the near future there will be a cure. Type 2 diabetes can be managed and reversed through a combination of better life choices and medications for those that actually need it. Many people may look at the news and think that people do not actually die from diabetes and even though that is not a fact, there are many people who die as a result of diabetes and its many complications. The symptoms for Type 1 diabetes may be easier to easier to spot since it is usually abrupt and drastic; Type 2 diabetes is the one that can go undetected for a very long time. It is wise to go for check-ups to find out if one does have diabetes or pre-diabetes that could be a precursor to Type 2 diabetes. A healthier lifestyle could make a great difference and Americans should aim for a healthy lifestyle as that has been proven to increase the quality and longevity of life on more than one occasion.
Today diabetes is not a disease that should be swept under the rug and research and information is being made available on it causes, cure and management. Also celebrities have come out to speak about the disease and it carries much weight when celebrities suffering from diabetes come out to talk. Two very outspoken celebrities on the topic are Nick Jonas and Halle Berry who are sufferers of diabetes and they have gone on to live an exciting and full life, refusing to let diabetes hold them back. It should not hold us back either.
Works Cited
American Diabetes Association. “Genetics of Diabetes.” n.d. Web. 21 Jul. 2013. http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/genetics-of-diabetes.html
The Ohio State University. “Facts about Diabetes.” Wexner Medical Center. n.d. Web. 21 Jul. 2013.
http://medicalcenter.osu.edu/patientcare/healthcare_services/diabetes_endocrine/about_diabetes/statistics_about_diabetes/Pages/index.aspx
CDC. “Diabetes Research and Statistics.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 16 Feb. 2012. Web. 21 Jul. 2013.
http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/consumer/research.htm
Not Me. “Diabetes Research and Studies.” n.d. Web. 21 Jul. 2013. http://notme.com/dpca/diabetesFacts.html
http://www.altfutures.org/pubs/diabetes2025/US_Diabetes2025_Overall_BriefingPaper_2011.pdf
Medical News Today. “All About Diabetes.” MNT. 30 Apr. 2013. Web. 21 Jul. 2013. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/info/diabetes/
