This paper examines the major risk factors for developing diabetes, including obesity, genetics, and age, while exploring how other body systems are affected by the disease. It discusses the serious complications that arise when diabetes remains untreated, such as neuropathy and vision loss, and describes three primary treatment approaches: insulin therapy, medication, and islet cell transplantation. The paper concludes by outlining practical lifestyle modifications—weight management, regular exercise, and dietary changes—that individuals can implement to manage diabetes and reduce their risk of developing the condition.
Three major factors can increase the risk for diabetes. Some of them are genetic and remain with individuals throughout their lives, but some can be reversed to help prevent the disease. Genetics, obesity, and age are the most discussed risk factors.
Obesity: The leading risk factor for diabetes is obesity. According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), approximately 30% of adults are obese. Being overweight implies a higher risk of insulin resistance, as excess fat disrupts the body's ability to use insulin effectively. The CDC cites that the number of overweight children has tripled since 1980 (Silverstein & Silverstein, 2009). As a result, the number of children diagnosed with the disorder has been rising.
Genetics: People with relatives who suffer 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 toward diabetes does not guarantee a diagnosis. Lifestyle plays a critical role in determining who develops the disease.
Age: Medical experts recommend that people aged 45 and older be screened for diabetes. Generally, aging puts individuals at higher risk of developing the disease. However, diabetes can develop at any age.
The pancreas plays a central role in diabetes development. Cancer, trauma, and pancreatitis can impair insulin production or damage the pancreatic beta cells, thereby causing diabetes. If the damaged pancreas is removed, diabetes will develop due to the loss of beta cells and the body's inability to produce insulin.
Diabetes can cause serious health effects when left untreated. Certain people with diabetes may develop neuropathy—a condition in which the disorder causes nerve damage in the hands and feet. This situation can reduce sensation in these areas of the body, making patients more vulnerable to developing infections. If feet and other limbs are not regularly examined, infections may spread, potentially leading to amputation of a toe, foot, or in extreme cases, a leg.
Another common serious complication 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 may not affect vision and can only be detected through an eye examination. If neglected, blindness can occur. Regular eye screening is essential for diabetes management.
Treatments for diabetes can be categorized into three main approaches.
Insulin: Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas, an organ located behind the stomach. Insulin functions to help the body use glucose for energy. Diabetic patients need to take insulin to control their blood glucose levels (Kahn, 2008).
Medication: Medications for diabetes lower blood sugar levels. Various types of diabetes medication work in different ways. Most people with the disease must take these medications for their entire lives because they do not cure diabetes; rather, they help manage blood glucose levels.
Islet Transplants: Diabetes can result from damage to insulin-generating cells in the pancreatic islets. Islet cell transplantation involves extraction of pancreatic cells from a deceased donor and implanting them into the liver of a diabetic patient. This approach aims to restore the body's ability to produce insulin naturally.
"Weight management, exercise, and dietary modifications"
You’re 70% through this paper. Sign up to read the remaining 1 section.
Sign Up Now — Instant Access Already a member? Log inAlways verify citation format against your institution’s current style guide requirements.