Chronic disease can be defined as a long-lasting state that can be controlled, but that which there is no cure. Chronic diseases can affect anybody throughout the world. Chronic disease has been recorded to be the main source of deaths and disability in many nations worldwide. Sick role is a term used in the medical field in relation to sickness, and the rights, privileges, and responsibilities of the affected (Sartwell 1952)
Diabetes is one of the common chronic diseases that affects a large number of people worldwide, and thus encounters with diabetes patients is always common. Persons suffering from this disease are entitled to be excused from the regular social routine of work and responsibilities. The affected person is given a sick off from work and relieved some if not all of his/her duties. The society accepts the fact that the person is not responsible for his/her disease and is treated with love, care and support in all his/her needs. Also, as part of the sick role the affected person responsibility is to seek medical attention from a qualified medical practitioner. The person affected should cooperate with the doctor’s advice for treatment. The person is also expected to do all in his/her power in order to get well.
Medicalization is the process by which these illnesses are defined and treated. Diabetes is diagnosed in different ways, and the most common method is that of defining the blood glucose level. Another way of diagnosing this disease is by carrying out the glycated hemoglobin test. These diagnoses should be done twice and in a valid health center. Diabetes prevention is a priority to every humankind around the world. Diabetes prevention includes eating healthfully, taking physical activities, and maintaining a healthy weight. Eating much fiber and taking whole grains will also help to reduce the risk of getting diabetes. Diabetes treatment involves the use of insulin, weight decrease, diabetic diet and taking exercises. These treatments are not meant to cure the disease, but to help the patient live with it (Maureen 2009).
These ideas of sick role and medicalization apply on the daily experiences of both the society and the patients. Sick role privileges include that of exemption from the normal duties and responsibilities or reduction of these duties that has been assigned to one. Persons in formal employment are given a sick off from work for a set period to help them recuperate. Duties that would risk the health of the affected persons are assigned to different persons.
The affected persons are obligated to seek medical attention from qualified medical specialists. It is upon the affected person to go and get medical advice on their condition. The affected person is obligated to follow all the doctor’s advice and take the medication accordingly. Total cooperation of the patient is required for the patient to get well.
In respect to the medicalization idea, the patient is given the tips and the advice necessary to help him/her live and cope with the disease. The affected person gains support from both the society and the medical facilities. Society offers support in the form of love, care and helping out in some tasks that the person is incapable of doing. The medical facilities offer help in the form of medicine and advice on how to live with the disease. All these ideas of medicalization result to a healthy living almost like that of a normal person.
The idea of the sick role must apply to the affected persons for a healthy and good life. The sick person cannot be able to perform equally well with a healthy person, and thus has to be relieved off some duties. Also, the affected person is given a sick off for him/her to get medical attention. For a person to get well and live with the disease he/she has to cooperate with the medical specialists and follow the advice offered.
The ideas of medicalization apply for various reasons, persons must be diagnosed in order to establish the disease and the nature of this disease. In regard to prevention and control of the disease, both the person and the society are given advice on how to lead a healthy life. This is done to help the society to avoid getting the disease and to enable the affected to cope and live well with the disease. Treatment is offered to the patient to help him/her recover from the ailment (Donker 2005).
Not all of the ideas discussed above apply. For example considering the sick role, not all affected employees will be willing to get sick off, and not all employers are willing to relive a worker some of his/her duties. Some people may also fake ailment in order to get sick off and to some extent people are responsible for this disease. In most cases, people have been found not to follow the medical advice, treatment, and prevention measures given to them. To solve these faults, strict rules and penalties should be engaged.
Chronic diseases have very serious and implicating effects, affect people worldwide, and lead to many of the deaths. Despite these facts, they are east to control and prevent if everyone takes responsibility of his/her own health.
References
Maureen C. Ashe, William C. Miller, Janice J. (2009). Older Adults, Chronic Disease and Leisure-Time Physical Activity Journal: Gerontology.
Donker G. , Yzermans C. J., Kerssens J. J. (2005) Chronic diseases of victims and controls before and after disaster
Sartwell P. E., Merrel M. l (1952) Influence of the Dynamic Character of Chronic Disease on the Interpretation of Morbidity Rates Journal: American Journal of Public Health
