Psychology of aging Essay

As people age, they become vulnerable to various diseases such as diabetes among others. Diabetes is a disease that affects many of individuals all around the world and arises when there is a high level of sugar in the blood for an extended period of time. There exist three known types of diabetes- Type1, which affects mostly the younger population; Type II, that affects population above 40; and gestational diabetes which affects women during the third trimester of their pregnancy. Factors that give rise to diabetes include hereditary factors, being overweight and problem with beta cells located in the pancreas (Jack, 2006, 45). I) Type I This occurs when the pancreas produces little or no insulin. Thus patient of this type of diabetes have to receive daily injections of insulin. The most affected are the children and young adults but can also affect people of other ages. Type I diabetes is caused by destruction of beta cells resulting from malfunctioning of the body’s immune system (Jack, 2006, 71). II)Type II In this case, the beta cells do not produce enough insulin to meet the needs of the body. Moreover, the cells in the body do not react appropriately to the available insulin because they cannot admit glucose through their cell membranes. The type II nature of diabetes is most vulnerable to aging people (Jack, 2006, 71) Though diabetes has no cure it can be controlled through diet, proper medication and exercise. Campaigns on how to best manage the disease is important in avoiding adverse effects on the body. Old and aging people need to take excessive care with their diets and how they exercise their bodies. Care and attention should also be given to the aging people especially those who are diabetic.