Running head: TYPE 2 DIABETES

Type 2 Diabetes Eric Johnson Ferris State University

TYPE 2 DIABETES Abstract

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, many people go un-diagnosed for several years. Many people do not even realize they have type 2 diabetes, and many dont know that is a preventable disease, and can be reversed. The following topics are covered within this essay, what is type 2 diabetes, the signs of type 2 diabetes, the complications of type 2 diabetes, and lastly the treatment and care of type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is the lack of or poor function of the bodies produced insulin, the insulin is unable to maintain a regular blood sugar. Many of the signs of type 2 diabetes go un-noticed, and some of the complications can be severe, or even deadly, if not treated in time. The treatment is simple, checking blood sugar, and making sure your blood sugar is within a healthy range. Exercise and proper diet can help prevent, and even reverse type 2 diabetes. Taking the proper steps for treatment and care, and noticing the signs of diabetes can help prevent and lower the risk of complications.

TYPE 2 DIABETES Type 2 Diabetes Type 2 diabetes in the most common form of diabetes. Millions of Americans struggle

with type 2 diabetes. Many Americans are unaware they even have type 2 diabetes. Even though more and more people are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes every day, it is a preventable form of diabetes. With the proper exercise and proper diet can be prevented and reversed. I have chosen to research type 2 diabetes for several reasons. It is a diagnosis that not many people know about. Many people do not know the signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes and go years without being diagnosed. Working within the hospital I see many different patients each day who are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, and making sure their sugar levels are within a healthy range is something that is very important. I also have family members who have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, and watching them change their diet and exercise habits in order to maintain proper blood sugar is something that is very interesting. The fact that type 2 diabetes can be prevented and even reversed is something many Americans need to know in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Knowing the way insulin works within our body in preventing high blood sugar is a key part of taking proper care of type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes can be broken down into four different topics: 1. What is type 2 diabetes 2. The signs of type 2 diabetes 3. Complications of type 2 diabetes 4. Treatment and care of type 2 diabetes What is type 2 diabetes Type 2 diabetes, once known as adult-onset or noninsulin-dependent diabetes, is a chronic condition that affects the way your body metabolizes sugar (glucose), your body's main

TYPE 2 DIABETES source of fuel. (Mayo, 2013) Type 2 diabetes is when your body either, resists the effects of

insulin, or doesnt produce enough insulin to maintain a normal glucose level, the result of this is the glucose isnt cleared from the blood stream which causes a diabetic to have high levels of sugar, causing the body to compensate in other ways to lower the level of glucose, such as frequent urination. There are an estimated 23.6 million people in the United States with diabetes with 17.9 million being diagnosed, 90% of whom are type 2 diabetics. The diagnosis of type 2 diabetes in children is steadily rising due to alterations in dietary patterns as well as in life style, causing more obesity amongst children. The way insulin works in our body is controlled by the pancreas. Insulin is released from cells in the pancreas, responding to rising glucose in the blood stream. After eating a meal, carbohydrates from that meal are broken down into glucose that passes into the blood stream. The pancreas detects this rise in glucose and secrets insulin. Insulin improves the uptake of glucose from the blood across the cell membrane and into the cells of the body, taking the glucose out of the blood stream. A simple way to break down the bodies reaction to high and low levels of glucose is listed by mydr.com:

When the blood glucose level goes up

Blood sugar (glucose) rises; The pancreas detects the rise; The pancreas pumps out insulin into the blood; Insulin helps the uptake of glucose into muscles and other cells; This causes the blood glucose level to fall to its normal set point; The pancreas detects the fall and switches off insulin production.

TYPE 2 DIABETES When the blood glucose level goes down

Blood sugar (glucose) drops; The pancreas detects the drop in blood sugar; The pancreas switches on the output of glucagon into the blood; Glucagon signals the liver to break down glycogen into glucose; The liver releases glucose into the bloodstream; Blood glucose goes up to its normal set point; The pancreas detects the rise in blood sugar and switches off glucagon release.

Signs of type 2 diabetes Type 2 diabetes has several different symptoms. Type 2 diabetes begins gradually and progresses slowly, this slow progression is why many times type 2 diabetes is un diagnosed in so many people. According to University of Maryland Medical Center there are many common symptoms adults experience with type 2 diabetes: Excessive thirst Increased urination Fatigue Blurred vision Weight loss In women, vaginal yeast infections or fungal infections under the breasts or in the groin Severe gum problems Itching Erectile dysfunction in men

TYPE 2 DIABETES Unusual sensations, such as tingling or burning, in the extremities

There are a couple different symptoms of type 2 diabetes that are present in children: Most children are obese or overweight Increased urination is mild or even absent Many children develop a skin problem called acanthosis, characterized by velvety, dark colored patches of skin Complications of type 2 diabetes There are many different complications involved with type 2 diabetes. Patients with diabetes have a higher death rate than people who do not have type 2 diabetes, regardless of sex, age or other factors. (University of Maryland Medical Center, 2009). Some of the complications of type 2 diabetes include: heart disease, kidney damage, nerve disorders, foot ulcers and amputations, retinopathy and eye complications, mental function and dementia, infections, depression, hypoglycemia, and diabetic ketoacidosis. Heart disease related to type 2 diabetes occurs with the progression of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). This can lead to coronary artery disease, heart attack, or stroke. Diabetic woman are at a particularly high risk of heart problems and heart disease. Kidney Damage, also known as nephropathy is a very serious complication of type 2 diabetes. With diabetes the filters of the kidneys (glomeruli) become damaged and leak protein into the urine, this can eventually cause the kidneys to fail. Kidney damage occurs in approximately 20-40% of people with diabetes. Nerve Disorders also known as neuropathy can affect the nerve sensation in the toes, arms, legs, feet, and can affect nerves that help regulate the bladder, bowel, heart, and the digestive system as a whole. Some of the symptoms of neuropathy include: tingling, weakness,

TYPE 2 DIABETES

burning sensations, loss of temperature sensation, numbness, erectile dysfunction heart problems, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Foot ulcers and amputations occur in about 15% of people with diabetes. Each year more than half of all lower limb amputations occur from diabetes, approximately 50-75%. People with diabetes are prone to foot problems because the disease can cause damage to the blood vessels and nerves, which may result in decreased ability to sense trauma to the foot, the immune system is also altered so the patient cannot efficiently fight infection. (University of Maryland Medical Center, 2009) Retinopathy and eye complications account for thousands of new cases of blindness annually and is the leading cause of new cases of blindness in adults age 20-74. (University of Maryland Medical Center, 2009) Retinopathy is when the retina of the eye becomes damaged. Mental function and dementia is thought to be at an increased risk for people with type 2 diabetes. Some attention and memory problems can occur in people with diabetes. Infections, such as respiratory infections and urinary tract infections are at an increased risk with type 2 diabetes. Patients with type 2 diabetes should have influenza vaccinations each year to help prevent influenza infections. Diabetes doubles the risk for depression, which can increase the risk for hyperglycemia and complications of diabetes. Hypoglycemia is the name for low blood sugar. If you do not have diabetes your risk for hypoglycemia is slim to none, it is not something that you have to worry about, due to your insulin being able to regulate blood sugar properly. Some of the symptoms of hypoglycemia include sweating, trembling, hunger, rapid heartbeat, severely low blood sugar levels can cause symptoms such as weakness, confusion, coma, seizure, and sometimes even death.

TYPE 2 DIABETES Diabetic Ketoacidosis is a life threatening complication caused by insulin deficiency. Type 2 diabetes has a lower risk for diabetic ketoacidosis, diabetic ketoacidosis is mostly associated with type 1 diabetes. Treatment and care of type 2 diabetes Treatment and care of type 2 diabetes consists of several simple keys. Checking your blood glucose is essential, checking glucose will determine how well you are in control of your blood glucose, thus decreasing symptoms and complications. Proper exercise will also help

control diabetes, exercise helps to reduce the level of blood sugar in the blood by burning excess sugar in the body. Checking sugar levels before exercise is essential, making sure you do not burn off too much sugar and become hypoglycemic while in the middle of the workout. Diabetes can also be controlled by medication. Insulin can be injected when blood sugar levels reach a level that is too high, there are many forms of insulin, fast acting, regular, and long acting insulin. Conclusion Type 2 diabetes is a common diagnosis for many Americans, it continues to grow more and more every year. The signs and symptoms are not to be ignored when dealing with type 2 diabetes, some symptoms more severe than others. The proper steps can be taken to lower the risk of complications and improve the overall health of someone with type 2 diabetes.

TYPE 2 DIABETES References

Living with diabetes. (n.d.). In America Diabetes Association. Retrieved from http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/treatment-and-care/blood-glucosecontrol/ Mayo Clinic Staff. (2013). Definition. In Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/type-2-diabetes/DS00585 Medication. (n.d.). In America Diabetes Association. Retrieved from http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/treatment-and-care/medication/ Pancreas and Insulin. (n.d.). In My Dr.. Retrieved from http://www.mydr.com.au/gastrointestinal-health/pancreas-and-insulin University of Maryland Medical Center. (2009). Diabetes - type 2 - Complications. In University of Maryland Medical Center. Retrieved from http://www.umm.edu/patiented/articles/what_emergency_conditions_associated_ with_type_2_diabetes_000060_5.htm University of Maryland Medical Center. (2009). Diabetes - type 2 - Symptoms. In University of Maryland Medical Center. Retrieved from http://www.umm.edu/patiented/articles/what_symptoms_of_type_2_diabetes_000 060_4.htm What is type 2 diabetes?. (n.d.). In News Medical. Retrieved from http://www.newsmedical.net/health/What-is-Type-2-Diabetes.aspx