Type 2 Diabetes
By Tiffany Bond
Overview
Type 2 Diabetes, often called adult-onset diabetes, is a chronic disease that inhibits
the bodys ability to stabilize blood glucose levels. It usually develops in adulthood and
requires a medical diagnosis for treatment. It can be treated by monitoring blood glucose,
eating a low glycemic diet, exercising, or in more progressive stages by injecting insulin to
maintain optimal blood glucose levels. The risk for developing type 2 diabetes increases with
age and obesity as well genetic predisposal. Diabetes can last a few years to a lifetime, but
the symptoms can be managed with the help of a medical professional.
Causes
Type 2 diabetes develops gradually and is caused by constant elevation of blood
glucose. As glucose levels rise, the pancreas secretes insulin which causes the cells in the
body to take in the glucose for energy during digestion. Higher glucose levels cause higher
levels of insulin secretion, and the cells surrounding the small intestine begin to build a
resistance to insulin which forces the pancreas to create more in order to lower glucose
levels. This puts a lot of stress on the pancreas and eventually it wont be able to produce
enough insulin to keep glucose at a healthy level. The result is consistently high glucose
levels, and can damage many organs such as the liver, pancreas, and various cells in the
body. There are factors that can increase the risk of developing this disease. Those age 45
and older have a harder time producing enough insulin due lower pancreatic capabilities.
Obesity is a leading risk factor, both because of the bodys high fat stores and also because
of the poor diet accompanied by obesity. Most people are diagnosed with pre-diabetes
(approximately 86 million Americans according to the CDC) which indicates higher than
normal blood glucose levels, but not high enough for a diabetes diagnosis.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
Symptoms that would indicate chronic high glucose include persistent thirst,
frequent urination, mood swings, tingling in hands and feet, dizziness, blurred vision, and
yeast infections that return frequently after treatment. If an individual is experiencing any of
these symptoms, they should consult a medical professional. To diagnose diabetes, a fasting
glucose level test is done. The patient abstains from eating for a specified amount of hours
prior to the medical visit, then they are given a high-sugar beverage to drink within 2 to 4
minutes, and blood is drawn periodically after consumption to monitor the glucose levels as
the body digests the carbohydrates. Blood glucose levels below 100mg/dL is considered
normal. 100mg-125mg/dL calls for a diagnosis of prediabetes, and levels above 125mg?dL
indicates diabetes. This is the most common way for a doctor to recognize insulin resistance,
and to prescribe treatment.
Managing and Treating Diabetes
For those diagnosed with prediabetes or adult-onset diabetes, the most common
treatment would be to eat right and exercise for the purpose of weight loss. Carbohydrate
intake can be monitored to prevent glucose levels rising above 100mg/dL. Exercising
decreases the bodys resistance to insulin over time, and can be used to reverse the cause.
Some patients receive insulin that is injected after meals to help maintain a healthy glucose
level, but close monitoring must be done to ensure levels stay within a safe range. Often
times, patients that use insulin injections can overestimate how much insulin is needed, and
glucose levels drop too low, causing hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose). This can be very
dangerous and cause immediate symptoms, such as shakiness, light headedness, spotty
vision, weakness/fatigue, fainting, nausea, and in severe cases, diabetic comas and eventual
fatality. It is very important for diabetic patients to monitor their glucose carefully and keep
both insulin and carbohydrate snacks on hand at all times to ensure glucose levels dont rise
too high or fall too low.
Weight loss is usually the best treatment for type 2 diabetes, but it can be hard to
accomplish with the symptoms that come with the disease, as well as the strict nutritional
needs accompanying it. Regular exercise is advised, and eating foods with a low glycemic-
index (an index designed to showcase each foods effects on blood glucose stabilization) can
be useful in managing symptoms and weight. With proper diet and exercise, most cases of
type 2 diabetes can be reversed and the individual can live a normal, healthy lifestyle
without severe damage to the body.
Preventing
Preventing diabetes should start at a very young age. Parents should limit the amount of
sugary foods their child consumes, and be sure to promote adequate daily exercise and
good food habits in order to promote healthy growth and optimal pancreatic function. More
and more children in America are displaying risk factors for type 2 diabetes, including
prediabetes diagnosis. Adults with a family history of diabetes or whose mother had
gestational diabetes (a form of diabetes diagnosed during pregnancy) should be sure to
monitor their diets carefully and to prevent over-consumption of carbohydrate heavy meals.
It is advised that everyone eat right and exercise to maintain a healthy BMI of below 25, as
well as a waist circumference of under 40 inches in men and 35 inches in women. Exceeding
these limits greatly increases a persons risk for developing this disease, so weight
management is a great way to prevent this.
Conclusion
Diabetes is a widespread issue among developed countries, and it can be very
detrimental to the body and cause many symptoms that interrupt a persons day-to-day life.
It is very important to understand the risk factors and symptoms of type 2 diabetes, and to
get tested if any of these symptoms are experienced. Those who are experiencing or even
those who are not experiencing symptoms should work to maintain a healthy body weight
according to their BMI, and to get at least 150 minutes of exercise each day. Living a healthy
lifestyle is the key to preventing development of this disease. If diagnosed with diabetes,
many actions can be taken to manage blood glucose levels and to eventually reverse the
effects of insulin resistance. Normality can be obtained through good health practices and
close monitoring by both the individual and a medical professional.
References
https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/prediabetes.html
http://www.webmd.com/diabetes/type-2-diabetes-guide/type-2-diabetes#1
http://www.diabetes.org/
https://medlineplus.gov/diabetestype2.html
