Essay About Environmental Factors And Types Of Diabetes Conditions

Diabetes Management
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Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin
is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed
for daily life. The cause of diabetes continues to be a mystery, although both genetics and
environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to play roles.
There are multiple types of diabetes conditions. Type 1 diabetes results from the
pancreas failure to produce insulin, the hormone that “unlocks” the cells of the body,
allowing glucose to enter and fuel them. It is estimated that 5-10% of Americans who are
diagnosed with diabetes have Type 1diabetes. This figure is similar to incidences in
other developing and developed countries. Multiple daily injections of insulin are
typically required for Type 1 patients. In contrast, Type 2 diabetes results from insulin
resistance (a condition in which the pancreas is overworked and the body struggles to
properly use its available insulin), combined with relative insulin deficiency. Most
patients who are diagnosed with diabetes have Type 2 diabetes. Type 2 patients are
treatable in some cases with just oral medications, and in others, with oral agents as well
as injectables. Another form of the disease is gestational diabetes, which can present
itself in women during pregnancy. Immediately after pregnancy, 5% to 10% of women
with gestational diabetes are found to actually have diabetes, usually, type 2. Another
form, pre-diabetes, is a condition that occurs when a persons blood glucose levels are
higher than normal but not high enough for a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.
Many factors affect a patients ability to manage their diabetes and regulate both the
“average” and “excursions” of blood glucose levels in the body. These include, but are
not limited to, the following:
* Amount, timing and frequency of food intake, with particular attention to
carbohydrates and fats
* Amount, timing and frequency of medication consumption against physicianrecommended
instructions