Type 1 Diabetes Essay

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Diabetes is a disease rapidly increasing throughout the world today, and it is often referred to as the world’s modern epidemic. Each year, more than 13,000 young people are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes making it an increasing chronic illness. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body’s own immune system destroys the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas, normally the body's immune system fights off foreign invaders like viruses or bacteria. Unfortunately an individual with type 1 diabetes immune system attacks various cells in their body and results in a complete deficiency of the insulin hormone. The rapid increase in the incidence of type 1 diabetes in genetically stable populations implies an important role for environmental factors. Individuals that suffer from type 1 diabetes have an imbalance of sugar and because enough isn’t moved into the cells the insulin isn’t produced. When sugar accumulates in blood instead of cells, the body refrains and seeks more nutrients and other body functions are in charge of providing energy for the essential systems in the body. While the exact cause of type 1 diabetes is unknown it is often said that it is caused from an autoimmune disorder. Individuals with type 1 diabetes have to be extremely careful because an infection or any other pathogens can causes the body to inadvisably attack the cells in the pancreas that make insulin. Type 1 diabetes is also hereditary. While type 1 diabetes eludes both children and adults it gets its nickname Juvenile Diabetes from the prevalence in its diagnosis in children, adolescents and young adults. Imagine having the responsibility of taking on such a sensible role of being insulin dependent for the rest of your life, most being under the age of 5. Al... ... middle of paper ... ... found out that my great grandmother also passed away due to type 2 diabetes. Given the knowledge from public health I didn’t know the extinct of diabetes until the discovery of my family’s history. Until then I never knew how imminent the level of diabetes could be. This has prompt me to become more aware and create more awareness about diabetes more importantly type 1. Unfortunately type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented and there is no screening for those that don’t develop symptoms. This is adversely unfortunate for young children that have to learn how to be insulin dependent at an age early as 1. In conclusion living with type 1 diabetes isn’t easy; individuals with type 1 diabetes have an increased risk of anxiety and depression. Understanding your not alone Is a coping mechanism, becoming more educated is the first step into living a healthier and longer life.

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