Diabetes mellitus is a condition whereby cells cannot utilize glucose at an elevated serum glucose level. Insulin hormone prevents hyperglycemic levels by regulating the glucose concentration in the blood (Petersmann et al., 2019). The hormone is produced by the β cells of the islets of Langerhans found in the pancreas. Autoantibodies production against the β cells causes the diminished production of the regulatory hormone. The condition results from a decrease in insulin production by the cells or a decreased insulin sensitivity by the body cells. Type I diabetes mellitus is associated with reduced production of insulin hormone, while type II diabetes mellitus is correlated with the reduced insulin sensitivity by the cells. A sedentary lifestyle and obesity are commonly linked to type II diabetes. Lifestyle adjustment, public education, and regular screening in the population help prevent diabetes in society.
The prevalence of diabetes varies according to age, lifestyle practices, and even geographical areas. Type I diabetes mellitus is more common in children, while type II is more prevalent in the middle commonplace in older persons. The disease affects more people in developed countries than third-world countries (Saeedi et al., 2019). The individuals in the urban centers are more affected than those in the rural areas. It is attributed to the variation in the lifestyle of these individuals in these two geographical zones. The worldwide prevalence of impaired glucose tolerance is expected to rise if society does not modify its lifestyle practices. Even in developing countries, more people currently afford a sedentary lifestyle, and thus the cases of diabetes are on the rise in these nations.
Prevention of this condition starts with lifestyle change practices among people. It begins with adjusting dietary patterns in the population (Leung et al., 2018). Persons should avoid eating unhealthy meals, such as fatty meals, which predisposes them to obesity. A high correlation between obesity with a high chance of developing type II diabetes mellitus exists. Regular exercise, especially in young individuals, helps burn the excess glucose in the blood and even fats in tissue and blood vessels. It also allows the body to utilize insulin better, thus lowering the risk of diabetes. In these routine modifications, the blood glucose is effectively regulated and decreases the chance of developing the condition.
Screening is another way to prevent the onset of diabetes mellitus in persons effectively. In these screening visits to the medical practitioners, a clinical assessment of individuals’ serum glucose levels is done (Millard et al., 2017). If the blood sugar concentration is above the set values, the person is advised to modify his life patterns to prevent the condition. The cholesterol levels, blood pressure, renal diseases, and heart diseases are also checked in these assessments. The client is also advised to stop practices such as smoking, as it worsens an individual’s health status. Smoking also makes it hard for people to exercise as it interferes with respiratory organs like the lungs. Alcohol drinking is also discouraged because it is easier to control blood sugar when not consuming beer and wine.
Health education can help promote health and, at the same time, help prevent diabetes. Education campaigns at all levels in society make people develop better thinking on healthy living (Millard et al., 2017). Medical practitioners helping to change the population’s unhealthy habits will help prevent diabetes, primarily type II. These education programs need integrated efforts from the local communities, the government, health practitioners, and the people. Individuals with inactive occupations, such as office workers, are educated on the importance of regular physical exercise. The public is sensitized through programs on practicing a good diet and maintaining the appropriate body weight.
References
Leung, E., Wongrakpanich, S., & Munshi, M. N. (2018). Diabetes management in the elderly.Diabetes Spectrum, 31(3), 245–253. Web.
Millard, A. V., Graham, M. A., Mier, N., Moralez, J., Perez-Patron, M., Wickwire, B., & Ory, M. G. (2017). Diabetes screening and prevention in a high-risk, medically isolated border community.Frontiers in public health, 5, 135. Web.
Petersmann, A., Müller-Wieland, D., Müller, U. A., Landgraf, R., Nauck, M., Freckmann, G., Heinemann, L., & Schleicher, E. (2019). Definition, classification and diagnosis of diabetes mellitus.Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes, 127(S 01), S1–S7. Web.
Saeedi, P., Petersohn, I., Salpea, P., Malanda, B., Karuranga, S., Unwin, N., Colagiuri, S., Guariguata, L., Motala, A. A., Ogurtsova, K., Shaw, J. E., Bright, D., & Williams, R. (2019). Global and regional diabetes prevalence estimates for 2019 and projections for 2030 and 2045: Results from the International Diabetes Federation Diabetes Atlas, 9th edition.Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, 157(157), 107843. Web.