Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Type II Diabetes
Ashlee Johnson
1
TYPE II DIABETES
Nearly ten percent of the United States population have diabetes. One fourth of
those people don't even know that they have it. Diabetes, also referred to as
hyperglycemia, is a disease where your body is not able to regulate your blood glucose
(sugar) levels properly, causing your levels to be higher than normal. (National Institute of
is the most common form of diabetes. Type II diabetes is a chronic condition, known for
insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is when your pancreas is not able to keep up with the
production of insulin necessary in order to regulate blood glucose levels. Basically, your
body has trouble metabolizing glucose. This is an issue because glucose will build up in the
blood, causing your cells to be starved of energy and possible damage to, or failure of, your
kidneys, nerves, eyes, and heart. (American Diabetes Association, Facts About Type 2),
Insulin is a hormone secreted from the pancreas into the blood stream. Insulin
circulates, which lowers the amount of sugar in your blood stream by allowing the sugars
to enter cells. When your blood sugar drops, so does the amount of insulin secreted from
your pancreas. This is why when my cousin has her total pancreatomy next month, she will
be a severe diabetic for the remainder of her life. (Mayo Clinic Staff, Type 2 Diabetes),
Glucose is a main source of energy for cells. Cells absorb glucose and are then able
to make muscle and other tissues for your body. Your body is provided with glucose by
your food and also by your liver, where glucose is made and stored. When your blood
glucose levels are low, your liver begins to help produce more by breaking down glycogen.
2
TYPE II DIABETES
In type II diabetes, this process does not work appropriately. (Mayo Clinic Staff, Type 2
Insulin resistance is when your pancreas is not properly producing the insulin
sufficient to regulate your blood sugar levels. This begins as a condition where insulin is
not used appropriately by the liver, fat, and muscle cells. Your body overcompensates for a
time by creating more insulin to allow glucose to enter cells. However, over time your
pancreas is not able to keep up with the demand and insulin levels will begin to drop. This
again causes blood glucose levels to drop, which is diabetes. (Mayo Clinic Staff, Type 2
Risk factors for type II diabetes include lifestyle factors, race, age, genetics, obesity,
and inactivity. "Diabetes isn't an equal-opportunity disease." (Curry, A.) Latinos, Asian
Americans, Pacific Islanders, American Indians, and African Americans are more like to
develop type II diabetes than Caucasians or other racial and ethnic groups. Studies find
that this is because of the biological differences in genetics. Some people are more
resistant to insulin, others may be more resilient. While two individuals may have the
same body mass index (BMI), one may carry their fat just underneath their skin, distributed
throughout their body, and the other mainly in their abdomen, closer to their organs. The
person who carries their fat mainly in their abdomen, surrounding their organs, is more
likely to develop type II diabetes. These things are genetically predisposed, whether by
race/ethnicity or a family genetic history. Your risk of type II diabetes also drastically
increases if you have a parent or sibling who have it. (Mayo Clinic Staff, Type 2 Diabetes),
(NIDDK Staff, Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes), (Curry, A., Race and Type 2 Diabetes)
3
TYPE II DIABETES
If you are overweight, obese, or not physically active, you are more likely to develop
type II diabetes. These are all primary risk factors of type II diabetes. These are also
factors that you can affect and change! As mentioned above, the distribution of your body
fat plays a role in your risk of type II diabetes. Excess fat around the abdomen poses a
greater risk. When you are overweight or obese, your cells have more fatty tissue which
makes it harder for them to absorb insulin. When you are physically active, not only do you
help to control your weight, you also expend glucose as energy. This helps your cells to be
more sensitive to insulin, which can reduce your risk of type II diabetes. (Mayo Clinic Staff,
The symptoms for type II diabetes generally develop slowly, beginning mild and
0growing over a span of years. Some people never develop symptoms, only discovering
their diabetes once it has progressed into further health problems. Those who do develop
symptoms may suffer from one or more of the following: fatigue, blurred vision, increased
appetite, increased thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss. Fatigue, increased
appetite, and unexpected weight loss are caused by your body not being able to generate
the proper amount of energy due to the lack of blood glucose in the cells. Increased thirst
and frequent urination are your body's way of telling you that you are dehydrated due to
your kidneys working overtime, expelling the excess glucose in your blood. This
dehydration can also cause dry mouth or itchy skin. Other symptoms to watch for are
and swollen or tender gums. Slow blood flow and nerve damage can make healing difficult.
These things are all directly affected by the level of blood glucose in your body. Though
one symptom may not cause you alarm, you need to listen to your body. Diabetes is a
4
TYPE II DIABETES
serious disease, but when diagnosed early can be handled and prevent further
complications. (Mayo Clinic Staff, Type 2 Diabetes), (NIDDK Staff, Symptoms and Causes of
Anyone who is experiencing symptoms or has risk factors for diabetes should be
tested. It is recommended to get regularly tested for diabetes if you are age 45 and older, a
woman who previously developed gestational diabetes, or age 19 and older if you are
overweight/obese and have other diabetes risk factors. Diabetes can be diagnosed by a
doctor through a blood test. This is generally known as a Glycated Hemoglobin test (A1c).
This test can determine your average blood glucose level over the past two to three
months. Another method for screening for diabetes is an FPG, a fasting plasma glucose test.
A FPG requires that you do not have anything to eat or drink, other than water, for at least a
period of eight hours prior to the blood draw. Regardless of the method used, the blood
test determines if your blood glucose level is too high. This will determine if your levels are
normal, pre-diabetic, or diabetic. (Mayo Clinic Staff, Type 2 Diabetes), (NIDDK Staff,
Though diabetes is also disease to which some are genetically predisposed, there
are ways to help delay and prevent it! Diabetes can cause other major health problems
such as stroke, heart attack, or heart disease. You may develop coronary artery disease,
narrowing of the arteries, or chronic high blood pressure. Diabetes can cause nerve
result in the complete loss of sensation in your limbs. Nerve damage can also cause
Diabetes can cause damage to your kidneys, your body's waste filtration system. This
5
TYPE II DIABETES
damage can lead to kidney failure or end-stage kidney disease. These complications
ultimately lead to dialysis or a kidney transplant. Diabetes can cause foot damage, eye
damage, hearing impairment, and serious skin conditions. (Mayo Clinic Staff, Type 2
longer that you suffer from diabetes, the more likely you are to acquire some of these
serious health problems. This is why it is important to do all you can to delay or prevent
the onset of type II diabetes. Making healthy lifestyle choices can help you to do that!
When looking at your diet, you should choose more whole grains, fruits, and
vegetables. Focus on lowering your fat and calorie intake, while increasing your fiber
intake. Limit foods that are high in trans fat and saturated fat, especially fried foods. Limit
sodium dense foods, sweets, and beverages with added sugars. You can also eat smaller
portions and drink more water to reduce your daily caloric intake. (NIDDK Staff,
In addition to making better decisions about your diet, you need to move more! Get
in at least 30 physically active minutes each day. It is okay to start slow! If you are unable
to do a 30 minute session daily, try taking it in 10 minute increments throughout the day.
Being more physically active will lower your blood pressure and blood sugar levels, which
will also improve blood flow. Being physically active will improve your mood and help you
to sleep better. Go for a brisk walk or take a bike ride, anything that gets your heart rate up
will help. Each of these things will help you to lose weight, which is another factor in
delaying or preventing the onset of type II diabetes. (Mayo Clinic Staff, Type 2 Diabetes),
6
TYPE II DIABETES
Losing even five to seven percent of your body weight can make a huge difference.
These changes that you make to your diet and exercise routine do not need to be extensive,
but they do need to be permanent! This will help you to keep your body in a healthy weight
range. It will also help to keep your cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels in
your ideal range. These things will all make you have more energy, feel better, and prevent
When my dad was diagnosed with type II diabetes, he was advised that as a first
step he should lose seven percent of his body weight. Following the doctor's orders, he
lost almost eleven percent of his body weight at the time. He kept the weight off and
continued with his prescribed regime of two medications in the morning, one at night, and
an insulin booster once a week. Fast forward about eight years, he started to really feel the
effects of his diabetes again. With a change in insurance, he was seen by a new doctor. This
doctor adjusted his medications, and advised him to lose five percent of his current body
weight again. Following doctor's orders, my dad again lost five percent of his body weight.
Along with the newly adjusted medications, he began to feel really great again! Sometimes
the treatments need to be adjusted because your body can get used to them, but that
Type II diabetes is manageable and can generally be treated with diet changes,
exercise, insulin, and other oral medications. Along with healthy eating habits and regular
exercise, you may need to regularly monitor your blood sugar levels. My dad takes
metformin twice daily to lower his blood pressure and boost his body's use of insulin. He
also has weekly injections of dulaglutide, which is another insulin booster. Rather than
being insulin injections, he has insulin boosters which help his body to create its own
7
TYPE II DIABETES
natural insulin. Other options of oral medications and injections are available, depending
on the severity of the diabetes condition. These things can help prevent future
complications. Though many believe dietary supplements can help manage diabetes, no
clear evidence exists that vitamins, herbs, spices, or minerals truly help. Some people may
qualify for weight loss surgery in order to help treat their diabetes. Regardless of how it is
being managed or treated, diabetes requires regular physical exams and meetings with
best when caught early, and future complications can be prevented. Eat well, move more,
lose weight, and get tested regularly if you have any of the risk factors.
8
TYPE II DIABETES
REFERENCES
http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/symptoms/?referrer=https://www.google.com/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/type-2-diabetes/symptoms-causes/syc-20351193,
symptoms/art-20044248?pg=2
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, (2016 November), www.niddk.nih.gov,
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/risk-factors-type-2-diabetes, Retrieved
from https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/preventing-type-2-diabetes,
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/managing-diabetes
Curry, Andrew, (2017 November), Race and Type 2 Diabetes, www.diabetesforecast.org, Retrieved from
http://www.diabetesforecast.org/2017/nov-dec/race-and-type-2-
diabetes.html?loc=morefrom&__utma=227028104.1221629080.1510159918.1510159918.1510159918.1&__
utmb=227028104.0.10.1510160630&__utmc=227028104&__utmx=-
&__utmz=227028104.1510159918.1.1.utmcsr=(direct)|utmccn=(direct)|utmcmd=(none)&__utmv=-
&__utmk=35949731?referrer=http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/type-2/facts-about-type-2.html
JDRF Staff, (2017), Early Symptoms of Diabetes, www.jdrf.org, Retrieved from http://www.jdrf.org/t1d-
resources/symptoms/