Running in the Family
Diabetes Symbol
Diabetes is one of the most rapidly growing diseases in the United States. With approximately 20-25 million people currently being diagnosed with some type of diabetes. Diabetes is a condition where the body is not able to regulate levels of glucose (a sugar) in the blood, resulting in too much glucose being present in the blood. Over time, the high blood glucose levels present, as a result of diabetes, may cause serious complications, such as damage blood vessels and nerve cells, leading to damaged eyes, nerves and kidneys and an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, impotence, and foot problems.
In my family, from my dad's side of the family he has had three of his brothers pass away from Type 1 diabetes which is when you are required to inject insulin into your body. Two out of three of my stepbrothers from my dad's side have also been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes and have been having to have insulin into their bodies as well. This has never really been something that I have really gotten to think about ever until this class when we studied diabetes a bit and I ended up doing more research on it. Although diabetes is not necessarily hereditary since my dad, his brothers, and some of my stepbrothers have all been diagnosed with diabetes it is crucial for me to really take care of myself and when I have children that I make sure I do everything that I can to help them prevent being diagnosed with this disease.
There are plenty of things that one can do to prevent themselves from becoming part of the percentage of people that are diagnosed with either type of diabetes. One of the main things that helps me know is going to the doctors office for regular checkups. I try to go to the doctors office about twice a year for regular checkups just because of the fact that my dad and his family have had a long history about it. Although studies have shown that there is small chance that if your father has it that you will inherit it; I still feel better going to the doctor once in a while just to make sure everything is fine. Sports is also another thing that helps me keep free of possibly having diabetes. Exercise is a very important part of everyday life and even more so when a person has diabetes. It does not have to be brutal exercising, even a 30 minute walk a day can help. Finally, a good diet plan is crucial to help prevent diabetes. This is where it can get difficult for me, but I try to eat as healthy as I can to prevent this from happening to me.
Ever since my mom told me these stories about my dad and his family it never really stood out to me until this class and doing more research about it. It was an important part of my life that she tell me a story like this and it will also be a story that I tell my children in the future because I do not want for them to go through what my dad's family has gone through and what I could possibly go through if I am not careful and take care of myself.
Here is a short video about understanding diabetes:
In my family, from my dad's side of the family he has had three of his brothers pass away from Type 1 diabetes which is when you are required to inject insulin into your body. Two out of three of my stepbrothers from my dad's side have also been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes and have been having to have insulin into their bodies as well. This has never really been something that I have really gotten to think about ever until this class when we studied diabetes a bit and I ended up doing more research on it. Although diabetes is not necessarily hereditary since my dad, his brothers, and some of my stepbrothers have all been diagnosed with diabetes it is crucial for me to really take care of myself and when I have children that I make sure I do everything that I can to help them prevent being diagnosed with this disease.
There are plenty of things that one can do to prevent themselves from becoming part of the percentage of people that are diagnosed with either type of diabetes. One of the main things that helps me know is going to the doctors office for regular checkups. I try to go to the doctors office about twice a year for regular checkups just because of the fact that my dad and his family have had a long history about it. Although studies have shown that there is small chance that if your father has it that you will inherit it; I still feel better going to the doctor once in a while just to make sure everything is fine. Sports is also another thing that helps me keep free of possibly having diabetes. Exercise is a very important part of everyday life and even more so when a person has diabetes. It does not have to be brutal exercising, even a 30 minute walk a day can help. Finally, a good diet plan is crucial to help prevent diabetes. This is where it can get difficult for me, but I try to eat as healthy as I can to prevent this from happening to me.
Ever since my mom told me these stories about my dad and his family it never really stood out to me until this class and doing more research about it. It was an important part of my life that she tell me a story like this and it will also be a story that I tell my children in the future because I do not want for them to go through what my dad's family has gone through and what I could possibly go through if I am not careful and take care of myself.
Here is a short video about understanding diabetes: