Curated Paper 1- Emmalee Nonnenmacher

 Curated Paper #1

In our westernized society, we are made to believe that modern medicine is the only antidote to our interminable and continuous health struggles. Scientists and health care professionals are constantly trying to develop new technologies and medical treatments to cure or alleviate disease. In some cases, diseases can become resistant to these treatments. In fact, throughout the world, antibiotic resistance to microbiological diseases is a developing concern (Spellberg et al. 2008). While trying to constantly develop new medicine, we fail to recognize that traditional and holistic medicine can be just as helpful in the treatment and prevention of disease. “Ayurveda” is a practice that stemmed from pre colonial India almost 5,000 years ago. Ayurveda is the practice and belief that all things are interconnected and that every individual possesses a unique set of energy sources, or doshas. Whenever these doshas become imbalanced, disease and other health concerns may occur if not corrected promptly (John Hopkins Medicine 2024).

Metabolism is a complex network of biochemical reactions that convert food into energy, and plays a crucial role in our overall health. Eukaryotic cells constantly perform these labyrinths of chemical reactions in order to keep our body functioning properly. In relation to Ayurveda, when these networks become imbalanced, our bodies' instinctive metabolic harmony is disrupted. In individuals with diabetes, this intricate system is disrupted, leading to impaired regulation of blood sugar levels. Diabetes, a chronic condition characterized by either insufficient insulin production or ineffective insulin use, results in elevated glucose levels in the blood. This metabolic imbalance can cause a cascade of health issues, affecting everything from energy levels to cardiovascular health.

There are two types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are both chronic conditions that affect the body's ability to regulate blood sugar levels, but they differ significantly in their causes and management. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease where beta cells of the pancreas inadequately secrete insulin, leading to little or no insulin production (Ozougwu et al. 2013). It typically has a sudden onset that manifests in childhood or early adulthood and requires lifelong insulin therapy. In contrast, Type 2 diabetes is often related to insulin resistance, where the body’s cells do not respond effectively to insulin, combined with a gradual decline in insulin production. Its onset is gradual and is more common in adults. It can often be managed with lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise, though some individuals may eventually need medication or insulin if not treated properly. Both types necessitate careful monitoring of blood sugar levels to prevent complications, but their underlying mechanisms and treatment strategies differ.

Diabetes has a profound impact on society, shaping public health, economic stability, and healthcare systems. On a societal level, the rising prevalence of diabetes, particularly Type 2, poses significant health challenges, increasing the burden of chronic diseases and contributing to higher rates of cardiovascular complications. In 2013, the leading cause of death in the U.S was heart disease, with diabetes being the seventh leading cause. Heart disease, diabetes, and other related diseases can be attributed to a lack of physical activity. While biological treatments such as diet and exercise can be effective at treating this disease, it is only a short-term solution. It is necessary to consider the impact of both social and physical environments when it comes to diabetes treatment and prevention. Social determinants such as low-income, education, housing, and access to nutritional foods, are all attributed to Type 2 diabetes (Hill et al. 2013). Studies show that those with less education and income have a two to four times higher risk of developing diabetes than those who have greater income and education. 

While diabetes can be influenced on a societal level, community resources and healthcare services are also affected. Hospitalization is three times more common in people with diabetes than in people without a chronic illness (Haque et al. 2021). Because of this, hospitals face increased patient loads and high expenses related to diabetes complications. This in turn can lead to a higher demand for specialized care and resources.

The economic impact of diabetes extends to the government, which must allocate substantial funds for diabetes-related healthcare costs, including hospitalizations, medications, and preventive measures. Compared to other hospitalized patients, the average yearly cost of caring for someone with diabetes is roughly 2.3 times higher. In 2012, researchers found that the average cost of diabetes treatment in the U.S was $245 billion (American Diabetes Association 2013). As U.S populations rise, diabetes prevalence will also rise. It is predicted that diagnosed and undiagnosed cases of diabetes in the U.S are expected to rise from 14% to 21% in 2050 (Boyle et al. 2010). These direct costs contribute to billions of dollars annually in healthcare expenditures, highlighting the urgent need for effective prevention and management strategies to mitigate the economic impact of this chronic condition.

I have some close relatives who are diabetic or prediabetic. Most of their diagnosis of this disease was attributed to poor eating and health habits. I have a grandpa and uncle who both have fairly recently had a heart attack. This has caused alarm in my family and has taken personal and financial tolls on these individuals. After doing more research on this disease, it is startling how common it is in the U.S and how many cascading effects it can have on society as a whole. As a broke college student, I try to eat as healthy as I can and get a sufficient amount of exercise and sleep. In our hustling and on-the-go societal norms, we barely have enough time or energy to prioritize our health. This constant interplay of trying to balance everyday life and a healthy body can be related to Ayurveda. If we spend too much time on our professional endeavors, our bodies and minds start to disconnect from each other and vice versa. I believe this imbalance can also be a contributing factor to the diabetes pandemic. 

I know in my personal life when I get too stressed, I have a hard time functioning correctly. I get so fixated on one particular issue that I neglect my and every individual's core necessity, which is to have balance in our life. Just like an imbalance in our metabolism, small imbalances between our minds and bodies can have negative impacts on our overall function. Along with Ayurveda, I like the idea that everything is connected. I believe that humans are more interconnected to nature than we think. It is hard to recognize this sometimes due to all the technological advances in the world. As a “gen Zer”, I would say that much like my peers, I am pretty addicted to my phone and social media. I have a hard time balancing phone time and being a regular, human person. I have pretty bad anxiety which can be partly attributed to all the time I spend behind a screen. I find that it really helps me to go out in nature and be away from such distractions. The human body is such a beautiful, complex system just like our mother earth. Like Earth, if there is a slight disturbance in our ecosystem, everything in that system gets disrupted. On top of that, the cell theory states that the cell is the basic unit of life and that living cells only come from other living cells. This theory in itself to me proves that humans are connected to all living things. Most people, including myself, seem to forget this. While I do not think Ayurveda is the cure to all diseases, I think if we spent more time prioritizing having balance in our life, our overall health would greatly improve.