Genetics and Environment: Diabetes - Types 1 and 2 Richy George

Introduction Diabetes is important to know about because, if left untreated, it can cause serious implications Geographically speaking, diabetes is a problem in America since 10% of Americans are affected it. If current diet trends continue, there will be one out of three Americans affected by diabetes in 2050

Health of the Individual - Type 1 Type 1 is caused by a lack of insulin produced in the pancreas. The immune system destroys beta cells that create insulin. Since type 1 is a genetic disorder, the immune system targets beta cells immediately when children are born. Although beta cells may take several years to destroy, symptoms of type 1 diabetes occur when there aren’t many left. When type 1 is finally diagnosed, people need daily insulin shots to survive.

Quality of Life - Type 1 The quality of life for people with type 1 is sometimes difficult when they need intensive treatment. Treatment often affects their daily activities and they need to plan their day accordingly.

Affection of Family - Type 1 The family must change their routines if they have a member with type 1. These changes include making healthier meals, clearly explaining what the member can and can’t do, and making sure the member takes insulin shots. Generally speaking, families are almost always supportive of members with type 1. Families care for them and do whatever it takes for their members to live healthy lives.

Social Impact - Type 1 An average person with type 1 can expect to pay $6,000 per year on treating their disease. The money pays for monitoring supplies, doctor visits, and medicine.

Long-Term Effects: Type 1 People with type 1 that don’t keep a close eye on their blood sugar all the time can have serious implications in their future. These effects include: heart and blood vessel disease, nerve damage, kidney damage, eye damage, foot damage, skin and mouth conditions, and hearing problems.

Treatment for Type 1 Insulin shots: Since their bodies can’t produce insulin, they need these shots to maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Balanced Diet: They have to balance what and how much they eat with the amount of insulin they take since the food increases blood sugar. Exercise: Helps keep blood sugar levels in a healthy range

Current Research - Type 1 Today, doctors are working on a cure for people with type 1. Doctors are trying to figure out how to turn off the immune system’s attack on beta cells or protect beta cells from the immune system’s attack.

Health of the Individual - Type 2 Type 2 is caused when the body’s muscle, fat, and liver do not use enough insulin effectively. Type 2 happens when the body’s cells fail to absorb glucose when insulin is present. Symptoms of type 2 occur in adulthood when the pancreas can’t keep up with the demand of insulin needed in the body to regulate blood sugar.

Quality of Life - Type 2 The quality of life for people with type 2 is often difficult as well. Physical activity is very difficult with people with type 2 since they are overweight or border-line obese. Energy is also low for people with type 2. These people tend to get tired quickly.

Affection of Family - Type 2 The family of people with type 2 have to be aware and supportive. This means making appropriate meals and encouraging the family member to exercise This also means not tempting the member to eat too much sugar by having too many unhealthy foods present.

Social Impact - Type 2 People with type 2 can spend $6000 per year for medicine, doctor visits, monitoring supplies, and other routine costs. The price would only go up if people with type 2 had implications.

Long-Term Effects: Type 2 People with type 2 that don’t take care of their bodies can have serious implications in their future. These implications include: heart and blood vessel disease, nerve damage, kidney damage, eye damage, foot damage, skin and mouth conditions, osteoporosis, alzheimer’s disease, and hearing problems.

Treatment for Type 2 Healthy diet and meal plan: Eating better allows them to lose the extra body fat so their body doesn’t need as much insulin. Exercise: Improves their body’s response to insulin and burns body fat as well. Medication: Pills make the body use insulin more effectively. However, when these aren’t enough, they must take insulin shots.

Current Research - Type 2 Today, there is no complete cure for type 2. People with type 2 can make it go into remission by having weight control, eating healthy, and exercise. Doctors are working on medication that blocks the body from reabsorbing glucose from urine.

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