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Alicia Martinez

Habiba Nur

HLTH 1020

1 December 2018

Type 2 Diabetes

More than 30 million Americans have diabetes (about 1 in 10) (Center for Chronic

Disease Prevention). Type 2 diabetes (non-insulin or adult-onset diabetes) is the most common

form of diabetes that accounts for 90 % to 95 % of the cases diagnose in North America

(Wardlaw, 149). Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that affects the way the body metabolizes

sugar (glucose). With type 2 diabetes, the body either resists the effects of insulin or doesn’t

produce enough insulin to maintain a normal glucose level (Mayo Foundation for Medical

Education and Research). There's no cure for type 2 diabetes, but the condition can be managed

by eating well, exercising and diabetic medication (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and

Research). Causes, symptoms and prevention will be discussed in this paper.

Type 2 diabetes arises when insulin receptors on the cell surfaces of certain body tissue

become insulin resistant. During the onset of the disease there is a large quantity of insulin, but

not used properly and blood glucose is not easily transferred into the cells. The person then

become high blood glucose as a result of the unused glucose in the bloodstream. The pancreas

increases its insulin output to compensate. As the disease develops pancreatic function can fail,

leading to reduced insulin output (Wardlaw, 149). Symptoms include; increased thirst and

frequent urination due to the excess sugar building up in your bloodstream causing fluid to be

pulled from the tissues. This may leave you thirsty and you may drink and urinate more than
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usual. Increased hunger, without enough insulin to move sugar into your cells, your muscles and

organs become depleted of energy. Weight loss, without the ability to metabolize glucose, the

body uses alternative fuels stored in muscle and fat. Fatigue if your cells are deprived of sugar,

you may become tired. Blurred vision if your blood sugar is too high, fluid may be pulled from

the lenses of your eyes. Slow-healing sores or frequent infections, type 2 diabetes affects your

ability to heal and resist infections. Areas of darkened skin, this condition, called acanthosis

nigricans, may be a sign of insulin resistance (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

Doctors diagnose diabetes if a person has one or more of the following: Symptoms of

diabetes and a random blood sugar of 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) or higher. A fasting blood sugar

level of 126 mg/dL (7 mmol/L) or higher. A blood sugar of 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) or higher

two hours after an OGTT. An A1C of 6.5 percent (48 mmol/mol) or higher. If your results

suggest diabetes, your doctor will repeat the test on another day to confirm the diagnosis

(Wexler)

Type 2 diabetes is caused by both environmental and genetic factors (Type 2 diabetes:

Overview Beyond the Basics). About 90 % of type 2 diabetes is associated with overweight or

obesity (Wardlaw, 149). Many people with type 2 diabetes have a family member with either

type 2 diabetes or other medical problems associated with diabetes, such as high cholesterol

levels, high blood pressure, or obesity (Type 2 diabetes: Overview Beyond the Basics). Risk

factors for type 2 include; prediabetic, overweight, 45 years or older, family member with type 2

diabetes, physical activity less than 3 times a week, have ever had gestational diabetes, also if

you are African American, Hispanic/Latino American, American Indian, Alaska Native and

some Pacific Islanders and Asian Americans have a higher risk of type 2 diabetes (Center for

Chronic Disease Prevention).

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Someone may have type 2 diabetes for years and not know it. Signs and symptoms of

type 2 diabetes often develop slowly. Type 2 diabetes can be easy to ignore because symptoms

take years to develop and can go on without being noticed. Long term complications of diabetes

develop gradually but can be disabling and life threatening. Diabetes affects major organs,

including your heart, blood vessels, nerves, eyes and kidneys. Diabetes dramatically increases

the risk of various cardiovascular problems, including coronary artery disease with chest pain,

heart attack, stroke, narrowing of arteries and high blood pressure. Type 2 diabetes affects

nerves. Excess sugar can injure the walls of the capillaries that nourish your nerves. This can

cause tingling, numbness, burning or pain that usually begins at the tips of the toes or fingers and

gradually spreads. Nerve damage in the feet or poor blood flow to the feet increases the risk of

various foot complications. Left untreated, cuts and blisters can become serious infections, which

may heal poorly. Severe damage might require toe, foot or leg amputation. Damage to the nerves

that control digestion can cause problems with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation.

Kidney damage, failure or irreversible end-stage kidney disease, which often eventually requires

dialysis or a kidney transplant. Diabetes also increases the risk of cataracts, glaucoma and

damage the blood vessels of the retina, potentially leading to blindness. Type 2 diabetes also

leaves you more susceptible to infections, hearing problems and Alzheimer disease (Mayo

Foundation for Medical Education and Research).

Healthy lifestyle choices can help you prevent type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is linked

to obesity, achieving a healthy weight should be a primary goal of treatment. Regular patters of

meals and physical activity are important elements of therapy for type 2 diabetes (Wardlaw,

149). Taking care of yourself with help of your health care provider, family and friends support.

Unlike many health conditions diabetes can be managed by mostly you. You may be able
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to manage your type 2 diabetes with healthy eating and being active, or your doctor may

prescribe insulin, other injectable medications, or oral diabetes medicines to help control your

blood sugar and avoid complications. Even when taking medication for diabetes you should eat

healthy and exercise regularly (Center for Chronic Disease Prevention). Meeting with a

registered dietitian nutritionist is a great way to get support and guidance. A registered dietitian

can help you put together a meal plan that fits your health goals, food preferences and lifestyle.

They can also teach you how to monitor your carbohydrate intake and let you know about how

many carbohydrates you need to eat with your meals and snacks to keep your blood sugar levels

more stable. They can teach you how to develop a healthy eating and activity plan by choosing

foods lower in fat. Focusing on fruits, vegetables and whole grains (Mayo Foundation for

Medical Education and Research). A diet should emphasize overall calorie control, increase

intakes of fiber-rich foods and fish while reducing intakes of added sugars and fat. Limit fat

consumptions especially animal and trans-fat while including omega-3 fats. Distribution of

carbohydrates through the day will help minimize high and low swings in blood glucose

concentrations (Wardlaw, 150). Physical activity helps the muscles take up more glucose

(Wardlaw, 150). Plan a routine for a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate physical activity a

day. If you haven't been active for a while, start slowly and build up gradually. A combination of

exercises that include aerobic exercises, such as walking or dancing on most days, combined

with resistance training, such as weightlifting or yoga twice a week. If you're overweight, losing

7 percent of your body weight can reduce the risk of diabetes (Mayo Foundation for Medical

Education and Research). To keep your weight in a healthy range, focus on permanent changes

to your eating and exercise habits. Motivate yourself by remembering the benefits of losing

weight, such as a healthier heart, more energy and improved self-esteem (Mayo Foundation for
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Medical Education and Research). A professional diabetes educator can teach you how to

recognize high or low blood sugar, test your blood sugar and give yourself insulin by syringe,

pen or pump (Center for Chronic Disease Prevention).

Anything more than one drink a day for women and two drinks a day for men higher your

risk for diabetes. Too much alcohol may cause chronic inflammation of the pancreas, which can

impair its ability to secrete insulin and potentially lead to diabetes. Tobacco use can increase

blood sugar levels and lead to insulin resistance. The more you smoke, the greater your risk of

diabetes (Zeratsky).

Childhood obesity rates are rising, and so are the rates of type 2 diabetes in youth. More

than 75% of children with type 2 diabetes have a close relative who has it, too. But it’s not

always because family members are related; it can also be because they share certain habits that

can increase their risk (Center for Chronic Disease Prevention). If you have diabetes in your

family, diet and exercise can help you prevent the disease. If you've already received a diagnosis

of diabetes, you can use healthy lifestyle choices to help prevent complications. If you have

prediabetes, lifestyle changes can slow or halt the progression from prediabetes to diabetes

(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research).

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Works cited

L.D., Katherine Zeratsky R.D. “Diabetes: Does Alcohol and Tobacco Use Increase My

Risk?” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 30 June

2017, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/type-2-diabetes/expert-answers/diabetes/faq-

20058540.

Wexler, Deborah J. “Patient Education: Type 2 Diabetes: Overview (Beyond the

Basics).” UpToDate, 30 July 2018, www.uptodate.com/contents/type-2-diabetes-overview-

beyond-the-basics?search=diabetes-mellitus-type-2-overview-beyond-the-

basics&source=search_result&selectedTitle=3~150&usage_type=default&display_rank=3.

“Type 2 Diabetes.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research,

15 Sept. 2018, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/type-2-diabetes/symptoms-causes/syc-

20351193.

“Diabetes Home.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention, 15 Aug. 2018, www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/type2.html.

Wardlaw, Gordon M., et al. Contemporary Nutrition. McGraw-Hill Education, 2015.