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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
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
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
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,
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
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.
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,
20351193.
“Diabetes Home.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease