Risk Factors and Treatments for Diabetes

¶ … Diabetes

Risk factors for developing diabetes

Three major factors can increase the risk for diabetes. Some of them are genetic and so are with us always, but some can be reversed to help prevent diabetes. Genetics, obesity, and age are the most discussed risk factors.

Obesity: The leading risk factor for diabetes if obesity. According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), approximately 30% of adults are obese. Overweight implies a higher risk of insulin resistance, as fat disrupts the ability of the body to use insulin. CDC cites that the number of overweight children has been tripling since 1980 (Silverstein & Silverstein, 2009). As a result, the number of children examined with the disorder has been rising.

Genetics: People with relatives suffering from diabetes are at a higher risk of developing the disease. Native Americans, Hispanic-Americans and African-Americans, all have the highest rates of diabetes. However, having a genetic disposition towards diabetes is not an assurance of a diagnosis. Lifestyle assumes a critical role in determining who develops the disease.

Age: Medical experts suggest that people aged above 45 to be diagnosed for diabetes. Normally, aging puts people at a high risk of developing the disease. However, this disease can be developed at any age.

Other systems of the body are involved

Pancreas -- Cancer, trauma, and pancreatitis can impair insulin production or damage the pancreatic beta cells, hence cause diabetes. If the harmed pancreas is removed, diabetes will develop because of the loss of beta cells.

Progression of Diabetes if untreated

Diabetes may cause serious health effects when left untreated. Certain people with diabetes may develop neuropathy -- a health problem in which the disorder ignites nerve damage in the hands, feet. This situation can reduce the sensation in these areas of the body, making these patients more vulnerable to developing infections. If feet and other limbs are not regularly examined, infections may spread, leading to amputation of a toe, foot or in extreme cases a leg. Another common serious problem is eye damage. High blood sugar weakens blood vessels behind the eye, leading to bulges in the veins, inflammation, and leaking of blood (Silverstein & Silverstein, 2009). Early changes do not affect one's sight. It can only be recognized through an eye examination. If neglected, blindness occurs.

Types of treatments and therapies for the disorder

Treatments for Diabetes can be categorized into three:

Insulin -- This is a hormone produced by a body organ called the pancreas. It is found behind the stomach. Insulin functions to help the body to use glucose for energy. Diabetic patients need to take insulin to control their levels of blood glucose (Kahn, 2008).

Medication -- Medication for diabetes lowers the level of blood sugar. Various types of diabetes medication work in varied ways. Most people with the disease will have to take these medications for their entire lives because they do not cure diabetes.

Islet transplants -- Diabetes can result from damaging of insulin generating cells in the pancreatic islets. Cell transplantation in the islet entails extraction of pancreatic cells of a deceased donor and implanting it in the liver of a diabetic patient.

How a person can change his or her lifestyle to manage the disorder

People can improve their overall health; lower blood sugar levels and lower their chances of developing diabetes by changing their diets and activities. Here are a few lifestyle changes people can do to manage the disorder.

Maintaining a healthy body weight -- Obesity has been cited as the leading cause of diabetes. Reducing body weight and keeping it off will help control glucose levels. Mixing a healthy diet plan with exercise is the best approach to shed bodyweight.