Diabetes in the African-American Community - Assignment Example

of the of the Diabetes in the African-American Community Outline Problem with Thesis ment 2. Proposed Solutions 3. Selection of the Best Alternative and Steps for Implementation Problem with Thesis Statement People often think of diabetes as a problem that affects the obese or overweight. It is also considered that diabetes is a hereditary disease, with greater possibility of children contracting the disease from their parents, especially if both parents have been affected with the disease. Diabetes is also a genetic disorder, but contributory factors such as a sedentary lifestyle, lack of adequate exercise, excessive consumption of sweets and sugary foods can make one susceptible to this malady at any time during our lives. There are two types of diabetes: Type 1 or juvenile diabetes and Type II or adult onset diabetes. We should be careful, because once contracted, the effects cannot be reversed. However, one can also be born with it. They have to live with this malady and manage it as best they can for the rest of their lives. Research shows that the African-American community has unfortunately been falling prey to this disease in increasing numbers over the last decade. A healthy and balanced diet, avoidance of sugary and fatty foods and a proper exercise regimen can nevertheless reduce our propensity to contract this disease. Proposed Solutions Diabetes is caused by high levels of glucose in the blood caused by defects in insulin production or insulin action. In juvenile diabetes the body destroys its own insulin producing cells in the pancreas. In adult onset diabetes, the body either does not make enough insulin or cannot handle the insulin it makes properly. It has been noticed that Type 1 Diabetes accounts for 5 percent of all diagnosed cases in adults, whereas Type II Diabetes accounts for the rest or 90 to 95 percent of all diagnosed cases (NDEP, 1). For those who are not born with it, there is still time to prevent its occurrence even if one or both parents have the disease. As noted above, this will need a commitment to a balanced diet and healthy food choices, a proper and regular exercise regimen, control of weight, decrease in consumption or better, avoidance of sugary foods altogether. For many who are at risk of developing Type II diabetes or adult onset diabetes due to hereditary factors, the good news is that diabetes can be prevented from occurring altogether if we practice a healthy and active lifestyle. Another caveat is to have a medical test of blood and glucose tolerance before you get married. If you really want to avoid the disease developing in your children, as many who have Type I diabetes do, the best thing is to choose a healthy and wise partner who neither has diabetes nor a family history of the disease. Paper guava protects from complications of diabetes and the destruction of liver cells and kidney according to studies at the National Center for Research, Cairo. It helps protect liver and kidneys and repairs cracks in nerve cells (natural-health-happiness.blogspot.com). Drinking chamomile tea causes inhibition of ALR2 enzymes and sorbitol leading to reduction in blood glucose levels. This can prevent kidney, liver and nerve cell damage (Kato et al, 1). There is also gestational diabetes that can develop during pregnancy due to diet and hormonal changes. It has been estimated that women who have developed gestational diabetes during their pregnancy have a 35 to 60 percent chance of contracting the disease in the following 10 to 20 years (NDEP, 1). It has been noted that smoking doubles the risk of getting diabetes. Therefore it is best not to smoke and give a chance for diabetes to declare itself present in your body. Cutting down on soft drinks is another good measure (Baffour, 1). There are also links between diabetes and cardiovascular disease leading to heart attacks. It has been estimated that people with diabetes have three to four times as much risk of dying from a heart attack than those who don’t. Patients with diabetes were also 2 to 3 times more likely to have cataract surgery 20 years before non-diabetic patients nevertheless a good percentage of them were also victim to macular degenerative disease (Graslund, 1). It has also been noted that 67 percent of those afflicted with diabetes have high blood pressure. So controlling your blood pressure would be one way to prevent the onset of diabetes as well. The risk of having a stroke is also two to four times higher for people diagnosed with diabetes. People of African, Mediterranean or Asian descent may also have a hemoglobin variant that is the precursor of diabetes and sickle cell disease (NDIC, 1). In fact it is highly recommended that the African-American community in the USA should check their blood glucose at least twice a year (this should be no more than 7 percent), blood pressure on every visit to the doctor (should be less than 130/80) and cholesterol LDL level (should be less than 100 mg/dl) at least once a year. But intelligently speaking, these targets should be individualized according to the case we are dealing with. Obviously the same preventive levels cannot be allowed for those who suffer from chronic diabetes compared to those who are in the early stages of the disease. Medication for controlling the level of diabetes is also available. In order to increase awareness about diabetes and its effects, it is suggested to start support programs for diabetes care and also introduce community education programs to help people understand about and manage the disease taking the family as a care unit. Around 4.9 million blacks and Hispanics (or 18.7 percent of all non-Hispanic blacks of age 20 and older) have been diagnosed with possible diabetes in the USA, with 12.9 percent of these confirmed. Research has suggested that Type II diabetes is preventable and we should therefore take steps to control the symptoms of the disease before it is too late. Telltale symptoms of pre- diabetes include tiredness and an increase in blood glucose levels. To prevent Type II diabetes, people generally need to lose all body weight in excess of 200 pounds, pick an easy exercise such as brisk walking for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week, limit fat and sugar in their diet and make healthier food choices. People especially at risk for diabetes are those of age 45 years or older, having high cholesterol and blood glucose levels, are overweight or obese, having high blood pressure, gestational diabetes in the past or a blood vessel disease, with patches of thick velvety skin around the neck and armpits, or belonging to the African-American community. So control of most of these factors at an early stage may prevent the onset of the disease (NDEP, 1). Selection of the Best Alternative and Steps for Implementation It is quite clear that prevention is better than cure. In fact, since diabetes is an incurable aliment once you get it, it is better to prevent its occurrence altogether (Colberg, 1). As stated above, the first step is to check with your doctor as to the number of symptoms you have. A change of diet and eating habits, commitment to regular exercise for the whole family and regular checks of blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure levels are recommended to help stay diabetes-free for the rest of your life, as far as you can help it. Diabetes is a silent killer and the costs to control diabetes in the USA are about $147 million on an annual basis. The shortcomings of traditional treatments are well known. Over time either the patients get tired of being on a tight leash or begin to suffer from other complications. Cellular Activation Therapy activates the liver to do its work through a series of pulses that replicate the natural action of the liver and pancreas to produce the required enzymes and regulate the metabolism and therefore the incidence of diabetes is reversed (Bionica, Inc). This device works on the young, old and even pregnant women. Both Type I and II patients have benefitted from it. Works Cited Author Unknown. Chemicals as an emerging risk factor in developing type-2 diabetes: a short history. Health & the Environment. The Journal of the San Francisco Medical Society, April 2010. Baffour, T: Causes of Diabetes. GhanaWeb Health News, March 11, 2011. Bionica, Inc. Cellular Activation Therapy: Reducing the Chronic Complications of Diabetes. Colberg, S: Why the whole world is going to develop diabetes. Diabetes in Control.com, 04 Feb 2011. Grauslund J. Eye complications and markers of morbidity and mortality in long-term type 1 diabetes. Acta Ophthalmologica Scandinavica Foundation, 2011. Published in PubMed Kato, Atsushi; Minoshima, Yuka; Yamamoto, Jo; Adachi, Isao; Watson, Alison A, and Nash, Robert J. Protective Effects of Dietary Chamomile Tea on Diabetic Complications. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 2008; Vol 56 Iss 17. National Diabetes Education Program: The Diabetes Epidemic among African-Americans. Updated Jan 2011. National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse: For People of African, Mediterranean and Southeast Asian Heritage: Important Information about Diabetes Blood Tests. NDIC :Sickle Cell Trait and Other Hemoglobinopathies and Diabetes: Important Information for Physicians. NDIC: Diabetes, Heart Disease and Stroke: What You Need to Know. Paper guava protects from complications of diabetes and the destruction of liver cells and kidney. Accessed on 17 June 2011 at http://natural-health-happiness.blogspot.com www.ndep.niv.gov A clearly stated thesis statement on your topic with your supporting points for your thesis. Appropriate use of in-text citations and works cited page of the eight sources by MLA standards (indirect quotations, direct quotations, paraphrasing, and summarizing). A coherent development of your paragraphs and your essay as a whole. A fine integration between your voices and those of others. Correct use of grammar, punctuation, spelling, and word choice. Read More