Chronic Disease

Chronic Disease Risk Assessment

Diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic disease, which is an illness that is prolonged, does not resolve spontaneously, and is rarely cured completely. There are two types of diabetes, type 1 and type 2. Type 1, which accounts for 5 percent of all cases of diabetes, is triggered by a lack of a hormone called insulin that your body produces to regulate the levels of your blood sugar. This could happen because the cells that make insulin tire out. Type 2 diabetes, which is the most common type, is triggered when the body doesn’t respond properly to insulin. It becomes partially resistant to the effects of insulin no matter how low, normal, or high the insulin level is. It could become so resistant that the blood sugars start to rise.

Although the cause of the body resisting insulin is not completely known, there are risk factors that contribute to the insulin resistance and diabetes. These risk factors are, but are not limited to, lack of physical activity, excess body fat, and low-fiber diets. Genetics and family history can also contribute to this. These risk factors however, are not modifiable therefore it is important that you go for screening regularly and that you avoid these risk factors and others like smoking and excessive drinking so that you do not increase the risk. These may not prevent you entirely from having diabetes but can lower the risk.

Several of the risk factors are from certain lifestyles we decide to live. There are changes that we can make to these lifestyles to decrease the amount of risk factors, like exercising regularly. You could even do something simple like a cardio respiratory activity, like brisk walking, jogging, swimming, or riding a bike. It is important that we keep our bodies in shape and maintain a healthy weight. You can also eat healthier and avoid foods that are high in fat, cholesterol, and calories. It is important to make sure you are eating the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables...