Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic condition most commonly diagnosed in children whose pancreas is unable to manufacture insulin due to their immune system attacking the insulin-producing cells. Type 2 diabetes is the more common of the two and often develops in adults who suffer from prediabetes. The pancreas either produces insufficient insulin or the body becomes insulin resistant, meaning blood sugar levels continue to rise despite the pancreas’ efforts. Because type 1 diabetics are insulin dependent, their quality of life is severely hindered. They must learn to monitor, manage and balance their blood sugar and insulin levels since variations in either can result in short term effects like headaches, weak and rapid heartbeat, weight loss and excessive thirst. Long term effects from uncontrolled type 1 diabetes can lead to damaged blood vessels, kidneys, heart attacks and strokes. Type 2 diabetics are likely to incur similar symptoms to type 1 diabetics if gone untreated for a sustained period of time. Additional symptoms include neuropathy or nerve damage, frequent urination, fatigue and blurred vision. 

Though there is no explicit cause, speculations point to an autoimmune response which results in persons developing type 1 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is linked to poor lifestyle choices such as physical inactivity and unhealthy diet, age, race and familial history. It has been found that persons with low socioeconomic status, as well as persons 45 years and older are more susceptible to developing diabetes than those who are not. The 2015 Health of the Nation Survey regarded one in five persons under 65 years have diabetes, while another study stated Barbados’ diabetes prevalence rate was as high as 18.7% in persons 25 years and over.