In the following essay I will be talking about type 2 diabetes. Diabetes is on the increase and is now a very prominent public health issue.

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Aisha Khaliq                                                                                                                     Health And Social Care Unit 6 – Public Health

In the following essay I will be talking about type 2 diabetes. Diabetes is on the increase and is now a very prominent public health issue. I have a great interest in the metabolic disease as both my maternal and paternal grandparents suffered from it. Type 2 diabetes is very prevalent within my family and if the disease is hereditary both my parents and I may be at risk of it. Diabetes is more like a way of life to many Asian people as they feel they are more than likely to get it. I hope to prove diabetes is down to an individual lifestyle and dietary choices.

Diabetes affects 2.8 million people in the UK. It is thought that a further one million people have the condition but are not aware of it.

There are two different types of diabetes ‘Type 1’ and ‘Type 2’.

With type 1 diabetes the signs and symptoms are usually very obvious and develop very quickly, typically over a few weeks. The symptoms are quickly relieved once the diabetes is treated and under control.

With type 2 diabetes the signs and symptoms may not be so obvious, as the condition develops slowly over a period of years and may only be picked up in a routine medical check up. Symptoms are quickly relieved once diabetes is treated and under control.

Type 2 diabetes can occur at any age. People from African Caribbean and South Asian communities are advised to get tested for diabetes if they are over 25 and have any of the risk factors. White people are advised to get tested for diabetes after the age of 40.

Type 2 diabetes is caused by a complicated interplay of genes, environment, insulin abnormalities, increased glucose production in the liver, increased fat breakdown, and possibly defective hormonal secretions in the intestine. The recent dramatic increase indicates that lifestyle factors (obesity and inactive lifestyle) may be particularly important in triggering the genetic elements that cause this type of diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes usually begins gradually and progresses slowly. Symptoms in adults include the following:

  • Excessive thirst.
  • Increased urination.
  • Fatigue.
  • Blurred vision.
  • Weight loss.
  • In women, vaginal yeast infections or fungal infections under the breasts or in the                    groin.
  • Severe gum problems.
  • Itching.
  • Impotence in men.
  • Unusual sensations, such as tingling or burning, in the extremities.

Symptoms in children are often different:

  • Most children are obese or overweight.
  • Increased urination is mild or even absent.
  • Many develop a skin problem called acanthosis, which is characterized by velvety, dark coloured patches of skin.

For many people who are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, the first approach to treatment will be making changes to their lifestyle. These include taking regular exercise, eating a healthy diet and losing weight if you are overweight or obese. Doing this may be enough to keep your blood glucose at a safe and healthy level, without the need for other treatment.

Type 2 diabetes usually gets worse over time. Even if they work at first, diet and exercise may not be enough to control your blood glucose levels.

Type 2 diabetes can usually be controlled with the right diet and . If you keep a close eye on the disease and your blood glucose levels, you can greatly minimise the risk of further complications. As the disease progresses, many people need insulin injections.

Because diabetes increases the likelihood of complications such as hardening of the arteries and , it's important to try and reduce your risk. Controlling blood pressure and lowering cholesterol levels with drugs known as significantly improves the long-term outlook for everyone with diabetes.

The prevalence of diabetes is increasing rapidly. More than 220 million people worldwide have diabetes. The World Health Organization (2011) has predicted that diabetes deaths will double between 2005-2030. The chart below shows the incidence of the disease:

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UK average = 4.26 per cent

Therefore the known diagnosed population is now 2.8 million people.

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What are common consequences of diabetes?

Over time, diabetes can damage the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, and nerves.

  • Diabetes increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. 50% of people with diabetes die of cardiovascular disease (primarily heart disease and stroke).

  • Combined with reduced blood flow, neuropathy in the feet increases the chance of foot ulcers and eventual limb amputation.

  • Diabetic retinopathy is an important cause of blindness, and occurs as a result of long-term accumulated damage to the ...

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