Diabetic Prevention

Social Effects:

American behavior widely promotes its lower class citizens into developing type 2 diabetes. Firstly, there are less resources for the people who cannot afford access to them. Studies show that those who live in poverty are 2-4 times more likely to develop diabetes than those who have higher education and a well-paying job. Social determinants, such as low income, low job security, and poor living conditions, are factors that very well play into health conditions.

We find that health reform acts are to blame, as they have failed to develop the proper resources for populations at risk for chronic health conditions. For example, proper resources would include access to healthcare, where one can talk to a dietician about living a healthy and balanced lifestyle. The social determinants are not taken into consideration as they should be.

Secondly, American culture permits an extremely unhealthy lifestyle. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. The correlation between heart disease and diabetes is distinct. 90% of type 2 diabetics are overweight or obese, and obesity has become a nationwide epidemic, contributing to the increasing amount of diabetics. This is due to the fact that the more fat one has, the less likely your muscle and tissue cells are able to properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone produced by the body, and regulates whether or not the extra glucose from food is stored as fat or used as energy.

America has become overweight due to 3 main reasons– increased portion sizes, misleading nutrition supplements, and inactivity. Numbers show that the average American eats 195 lbs of meat per year, which is closely related to the fact that fat consumption has heightened ⅔ over the same period. Fast food locations, which account for 11% of the average American diet, make it easy to access the large portions of fattening foods, and extremely sugary beverages. Companies advertise weight loss products, promoting “fad diets,” most of which cut out necessary nutrients needed in a daily, balanced diet. This confuses consumers, leading them to believe they are living healthier, when in reality, they are not.

Lastly, one of the largest components of type 2 diabetes is a lack of activity. Americans nowadays solely rely on watching television or passing time on their cellphones, which also goes hand-in-hand with eating. 80% of people do not exercise enough daily. Research shows that only 20% of jobs today require moderate physical activity, therefore leading to only burning 120-140 calories a day, which is insufficient compared to the amount Americans eat per day. All together, these societal effects perfectly show how easy it is to become overweight, and possibly risk developing diabetes.

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Figure 1.1 The sociobiologic cycle of diabetes

Biological Effects:

Individuals can sometimes be able to wonder if they have diabetes and they just don’t know it yet. Signs of Diabetes can include:

  • Blurry Vision
  • Increased Fatigue
  • Desire for thirst
  • Feeling the need to urinate
  • Tingling in hands and/or feet
  • Pain in hands and/or feet

Having Diabetes can alter one’s life a lot. Besides having to watch what you eat, how much of what you eat, or how you exercise, the long term effects that diabetes has on your body can be a lot to handle as well.

Some of the increased effects and risks of diabetes can include high blood pressure and high cholesterol, which can greatly increase an individual’s chances of strokes. When a person has diabetes they also must monitor their diabetes. If a person were to not monitor their diabetes they can develop Diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic Retinopathy is when the back of the eyes swell and the blood vessels leak.

Some other health issues that can be because of diabetes is Diabetic Nephropathy and Gastroparesis. Diabetic Nephropathy is directly related to kidneys being a kidney disease which can be brought on by having diabetes. Gastroparesis is the delay in the movement of food to the small intestine. It can cause nausea, vomiting, acid reflux, bloating, abdominal pain, and weight loss (if condition is severe).

Another biological effect of a person who has diabetes can be that they do not heal as quickly as a person who does not have diabetes. This is because of their poor circulation of blood which reduces the flow of oxygen and nutrients.

Having diabetes can directly affect a person’s nerves in their body. People who have diabetes can develop Neuropathy, which is their diabetes affecting their nerves. Some symptoms of Neuropathy can include:

  • Numbness of hands/feet
  • Tingling of hands/feet
  • Lack of arousal
  • Sweating excessively
  • Diagnosis of delayed stomach emptying

Behavioral Effects:

Diabetes can be caused by many things whether it be genetic, how much of certain things you eat, or simply what your lifestyle is like. Depending on the type of diabetes that you have, your body and lifestyle will change. For example, Type 1 diabetes is when the body cannot produce insulin anymore and Type 2 diabetes is when your body has a hard time managing your insulin levels. For Type 2 diabetes your lifestyle plays a pivotal role. An individual’s eating habits (nutritious or type of food), exercise, and obesity can all factor into diabetes. Based on the obesity rate, the amount of people expected to have diabetes is projected to increase drastically.

Some ways that people could prevent Type 2 diabetes would be to overall eat less carbohydrates in your diet. The more carbohydrates a person consumes, the higher their blood sugar can be. This lifestyle of eating more processed foods could increase an individual’s chances of developing Type 2 Diabetes.

Another way that people can reduce their chances of developing Type 2 Diabetes is to not smoke or drink alcohol. Research has proven that people who smoke are 50% more likely to develop diabetes in their future. Some people tend to think that if they already are smoking, that there is nothing they can do because damage has been done. That is not always the case. Research has proven that although men who have smoked in the past have gained weight after they quit smoking, they still reduced their risk greatly of developing diabetes.

Exercising doesn’t just make people feel good, it helps your body in ways you might not even know. Individuals who tend to work out regularly, are less likely to develop diabetes due to their lowered heart rate, lower blood pressure, and their overall improved psychological well being. The more that an individual exercises, the more that insulin can increase and in turn, will help your body in not having an elevated risk of developing diabetes.

Changing one’s lifestyle can require a lot of hard work, determination, and lots of motivation from yourself. (Figure 1.2) There are lots of ways one can change their lifestyle to better suit them. A couple strategies are to set goals, plan how you wish to accomplish those goals, have the support from friends or family, and lastly, being able to have a good attitude knowing that you are improving your health and well-being, all while reducing health risks for your future.

Science Blog

Figure 1.2 Enhancing your lifestyle

References:

Social Effects:

  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3662286/
  • https://health.usnews.com/health-news/articles/2013/01/15/why-arent-americans-healthier
  • https://www.publichealth.org

Biological Factors:

  • https://www.diabetes.co.uk/how-does-diabetes-affect-the-body.html

Behavioral Factors:

  • https://www.thieme-connect.com/products/ejournals/html/10.1055/s-0029-1240975#N70971
  • http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/24/1/117 

 

 

 

Infectious Diseases and Environment: Waterborne Diseases

When referencing the environment, there are several diseases that could result from contamination in some way. Waterborne diseases, in particular, are a great example. Typically, many develop from human and animal waste. What is concerning is clear water can still contain pollutants. For instance, water can contain metal, which can lead to organ damage and birth defects.

An individual suffering from a waterborne disease may experience several symptoms such as fever, cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea. However, each disease can produce different symptoms and can last longer than others. In addition, individuals receive specific treatments based on the disease. Therefore, it is extremely important to receive early treatment.

Cholera 

Although it is categorized as extremely rare, cholera should not be taken lightly. It is so serious that healthy individuals can die in a matter of hours. What begins as an infection within the small intestines, results in severe diarrhea and dehydration and can lead to shock and seizures. It typically affects those who have consumed contaminated water or food. Cholera is mostly present in areas such as Africa, Asia, and Hati and affects Individuals who live in crowded conditions. In order to prevent waterborne diseases, specifically cholera, it is important to continue to improve sanitation throughout the world.

Amoebiasis 

Amoebiasis can be described as a parasitic infection that affects the colon and is obtained through contaminated food and water. Typically, this infection is most prevalent in tropical areas. As a matter of fact, travelers are recommended to avoid water and food within these areas. Affected individuals may experience symptoms including fever, bloody stools, and nausea and vomiting. However, when referencing amoebiasis, not all individuals who are affected become sick and most symptoms begin within two to 15 days. Therefore, it is important to monitor symptoms closely. To prevent amoebiasis, individuals can wash fruits and vegetables before eating, drink bottled water, and limit dairy products.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A caused by the hepatitis A virus and can be contracted from the stool of another individual, contaminated water, and physical contact with an infected person. An affected individual may experience diarrhea, dark urine, and abdominal pain. Although it differs for each individual, the illness can last from anywhere from two weeks to three months. Therefore, it is important to visit a doctor and receive treatment if necessary. In today’s society, there is a vaccination for the disease that is recommended for ages one and older. In order to prevent hepatitis A, individuals should avoid eating raw oysters and shellfish and individuals should get vaccinated.

Malaria

Malaria is a significant water born illness in terms of human-disease interaction. It is spread by the bites of female Anopheles mosquitos infected with the malaria parasite. Symptoms of this disease include high fevers, violent shakes, intense flu-like symptoms, and if left untreated death. According to the CDC, 216 million people became ill due to the Anopheles mosquito in 2016. Of those 216 million, 445,000 people were unable to beat this treatable disease and lost their lives. The majority of recorded deaths were children in the African region. The United States is not immune to Malaria’s effects. Every year travelers go on vacation to sub-Saharan Africa or South Asia and put themselves at risk of contracting malaria and bringing it back home with them. As a result, there are up to 1,700 documented cases of Malaria in the US every year. Treatment includes any one of the antimalarial drugs on the market today. However, it is important for physicians to determine where and when the disease was contracted in order to ensure the parasite is not immune to the drugs prescribed.

Typhoid & Paratyphoid Fever

Typhoid and Paratyphoid fever are bacterial diseases that spread through the ingestion of feces particles. Those who are currently ill are able to spread the disease and one in twenty people who recover are still carriers of the disease. Typhoid fever is preventable by means of vaccination whereas paratyphoid fever is not preventable. The distinction between the two diseases comes down to the type of bacteria ingested. Typhoid fever is caused by Salmonella Typhi and paratyphoid fever is due to the ingestion of Salmonella Paratyphi. Typhoid and paratyphoid fever effect a combined 27 million people every single year according to the CDC. Those who travel to countries such as India, Bangladesh, or Pakistan should take extreme care in ensuring their drinking water goes through proper sanitation, the most common form of contraction. However, neither disease is common in the United States unless travelers contract either disease and bring it home to the states.

Giardia & Giardiasis

Giardiasis is an infection caused by the parasitic organism Giardia that lives in the digestive tract. Giardia causes intestinal distress in the form of extremely severe diarrhea leading to deadly dehydration. Symptoms typically take anywhere from one to three weeks to develop with the infection lasting anywhere from two to six weeks; those with a weaker immune system may experience a longer period of symptoms. Giardia is one of the most common waterborne infections in the United States and can be found in every state. To minimize the risk of Giardia infection, avoid swimming in and drinking questionable sources of water in addition to washing hands after using the restroom. If Giardia is contracted it can be treated with a range of medications from a healthcare provider.

Cryptosporidium & Cryptosporidiosis (“Crypto”)

Cryptosporidiosis is a disease caused by the microscopic, single-celled parasite Cryptosporidium – both are often called “Crypto” for short. Crypto causes watery diarrhea in the host as well as symptoms that go along with that such as cramps and dehydration. After exposure to Crypto, it typically takes anywhere from two to ten days for symptoms to appear. Crypto can be found in every region throughout the United States as well as the world. The most common way for Crypto to be contracted is through the accidental ingestion of recreational water, for example, pool water. Crypto is known to spread through this outlet because a unique outer covering that has a naturally high ability to withstand sanitation by chlorination. Treatment for Crypto is not usually necessary, a healthy immune system with see symptoms lasting one to two weeks before getting better. However, it is recommended to stay hydrated and avoid consuming things that contain diuretics such as caffeine; over the counter, anti-diarrhea medicines are also available.

What is currently being done to prevent waterborne diseases? 

Water continues to be one of the world’s most valuable resources due to its many uses such as drinking, recreation, and industry. Although we advocate for safe, adequate water, we still struggle to do so. In 2010, the CDC’s Waterborne Disease Prevention Branch (WDPB) was created to work towards clean water and prevent hygiene-related diseases. With the help of WDPB, we can now track waterborne disease, investigate causes, and work towards prevention. While this is a step in the right direction, nationally, individuals need to recognize the severity of waterborne illnesses. Therefore, individuals must work together and practice basic hygiene to provide adequate sanitation.

Citations (Waterborne Diseases – Trysten Hazen, Noah Petersen, Barret Kesselring)

https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/malaria/index.html 

https://www.foodsafety.gov/poisoning/causes/bacteriaviruses/hepatitisa/index.html 

https://www.cdc.gov/cholera/general/index.html 

https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/amebiasis/index.html 

https://www.cdc.gov/typhoid-fever/index.html 

https://www.cdc.gov/ncezid/dfwed/waterborne/index.html 

https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/giardia/index.html

https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/giardia/general-info.html

https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/crypto/general-info.html

Infectious Disease and Environment: Airborne Diseases

Respiratory diseases infect millions of people every year, whether the disease be Influenza, the Rhinovirus, or SARS. While there is not a clear consensus on how much environmental factors affect these diseases, there is evidence to show that the environment can have major impacts of how infective these diseases are.

Studies conducted have shown that temperature and humidity have a significant impact on transmission. While some of these factors come from humans changing their habits as seasonal differences occur, some come from changes in air temperature and humidity; for example, cold dry winter air impairs the ability of the lungs to clear themselves. This was shown in a 1960s study in which mice were infected with influenza. When the humidity increased, transmission of influenza decreased. In a similar study with guinea pigs, when the relative humidity was at 20%, transmission of influenza was the greatest, while at 80% relative humidity, there was little to no transmission of the disease. While these tests both show that higher relative humidity lowers transmission of influenza, viruses such as adenovirus and rhinovirus are more stable and are able to transmit at these higher humidity levels. This appears to be due to differences between relative humidity, compared to temperature and actual humidity, which is the actual amount of water vapor in the air.

The effect of rainfall on the transmission of disease appears to be mixed. A study on RSV in Indonesia found that the more days it rained, the higher the infection rate. Similarly, a study in Malaysia concluded that the more days it rained, the higher the number of infections. Contrarily, a study in Taiwan found no association was between rainfall and disease transmission. Many other studies concluded by agreeing with either of the two sides, leaving no clear consensus.

While there are not many studies, a study on mice concluded that an increase in ventilation lowered transmission of influenza.

Box 1

Modes of person-to-person transmission of respiratory viruses

Contact transmission In both modes of contract transmission (direct and indirect), contaminated hands play an important role in carrying virus to mucous membranes.
Direct transmission Virus is transferred by contact from an infected person to another person without a contaminated intermediate object (fomite).
Indirect transmission Virus is transferred by contact with a contaminated intermediate object (fomite).
Droplet spray transmission Virus transmits through the air by droplet sprays (such as those produced by coughing or sneezing); a key feature is deposition of droplets by impaction on exposed mucous membranes.
Aerosol transmission Virus transmits through the air by aerosols in the inspirable size range or smaller; aerosol particles are small enough to be inhaled into the oronasopharynx and distally into the trachea and lung.

Pica, Natalie, and Nicole M Bouvier. “Environmental Factors Affecting the Transmission of Respiratory Viruses.” Current Opinion in Virology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Feb. 2012, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3311988/#BX1.

Table 1

Modes of transmission of several human respiratory tract viruses.

Virus Family Primary mode(s) of respiratory transmission
Adenoviruses Adenoviridae Contact, possibly droplet spray and/or aerosol (limited data) [24]
Influenza viruses Orthomyxoviridae Contact, droplet spray and/or aerosol (conflicting data) [59]
Human parainfluenza viruses (HPIV) Paramyxoviridae Uncertain (limited data) [1012]
Metapneumovirus Paramyxoviridae Uncertain (limited data) [2]
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) Paramyxoviridae Direct and indirect contact [7,13], possibly droplet spray [14]
Rhinoviruses Picornaviridae Contact, droplet spray and/or aerosol (conflicting data) [7,15]
SARS coronavirus Coronaviridae Droplet spray and aerosol [2,4,16], possibly contact [17]

Pica, Natalie, and Nicole M Bouvier. “Environmental Factors Affecting the Transmission of Respiratory Viruses.” Current Opinion in Virology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Feb. 2012, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3311988/#BX1

 

 

 

Citations(Jonah Kasdorf):

Connolly, M A. “Communicable Disease Control in Emergencies.” World Health Organization, 2005.

Pica, Natalie, and Nicole M Bouvier. “Environmental Factors Affecting the Transmission of Respiratory Viruses.” Current Opinion in Virology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Feb. 2012, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3311988/#BX1

 

Team Ten – Mental Health and Environmental Awareness

Team members include Michael Olivia, Nicole Reiter, Emily Thiry, and Jenna Peterson. Mental Health and Environmental Awareness includes topics such as lifestyles, exposure to pollutants, natural hazards, and other physical and social environments being a contributing factor to several mental illnesses and disorders.