An investigation of public health responses to diabetes Essay

An investigation of public health responses to diabetes - Essay Example This results in increased amounts of sugar in the blood, causing complications usually involving the heart and kidneys. (Wikipedia, 2011) There are three main types of Diabetes. Type 1 Diabetes, or insulin-dependent diabetes, occurs when the pancreas fails to secrete insulin, thus the glucose taken in from food cannot be broken down. The result is a buildup of sugar in the blood that causes complications like kidney failure, retinopathy, heart failure, and hypertension. A patient with this condition requires artificial insulin to be injected regularly in order to control the blood sugar levels. Type 2 Diabetes, or non-insulin dependent diabetes, is similar. In this case, the pancreas is able to secrete small amounts insulin, but the body’s cells cannot receive it. The result is identical. The sugar builds up in the bloodstream, and causes the above complications. The third type is Gestational Diabetes. This occurs in pregnant women only. During pregnancy, the overworked body o f the mother is unable to secrete the excess insulin required, leading to increased blood sugar levels. Women with gestational diabetes are most likely to have large babies. Diabetes is caused by different factors. Obesity is a big predisposing factor. In obese persons, insulin is less able to facilitate the entry of glucose into the liver and adipose tissues. In addition, fat buildup presents a suitable environment for circulatory overload. As sugar builds up in the blood, the density and concentration gradient increases, making the blood thick and viscous. This prevents it from properly circulating around the body. And because the hands and feet are the furthest from the pump center, the heart, they receive the least amount of blood. Lack of nutrients from the blood kills the tissue surrounding the area. Eventually, the hand or food necrotizes, or dies, leaving amputation as the only solution. Not surprisingly, most amputees are a result of Diabetes Mellitus. Heredity also plays a big role. If one of your ancestors or family members had a health history of diabetes, you have more chances of acquiring it, and as you age these chances increase. In spite of all these, the principal factor is a sedentary lifestyle. When your body lacks enough exercise, the heart pumps less blood to the extremities, causing tissue death. (Black, 2001) Classic signs and symptoms of Diabetes are increased thirst, increased hunger, and frequent urination. The thirst occurs when the body mistakes the concentration of sugar in the blood for lack of water, thus it triggers the thirst center in the brain, causing the person to drink more water, which in turn causes him to urinate more. The hunger occurs because the cells cannot utilize the sugar and nutrients, causing them to â€Å"starve†. The body interprets this as lack of food; hence, the person eats more and more. Increase of blood sugar also affects the eyes. Absorption of glucose causes the lens to change shape, resulting in vision changes. The heart usually suffers the most. Because of an increased workload, the heart muscles grow, causing cardiomegaly. As this progresses, the heart, out of exhaustion and overwork, eventually gives up and stops pumping, causing heart failure, and death. Heart attacks are common in chronic high blood pressure. Kidney failure also occurs. The main job of the kidneys is to remove waste from the blood and return the cleaned blood back to the body. In diabetes, the high levels of sugar damage the nephrons, the