Type II Diabetes Essay Example

serve as locks, facilitating the absorption of sugar by these cells. A lack of insulin leads to an accumulation of sugar in the bloodstream, depriving vital organs like the heart and brain of nourishment. Alarmingly, over 13 million Americans have Type II diabetes and approximately half are unaware they have this condition. The causes of Type II diabetes remain unknown to doctors although autoimmune disease has been ruled out as a cause; however, a specific virus associated with it has yet to be identified.
Scientific research has revealed that diabetes has been present for thousands of years. The ancient Egyptians and Greeks could identify individuals with diabetes by observing their excessive thirst and frequent urination. A writer from that era described the disease as a condition where the flesh and limbs turned into urine, noting that the urine of those with diabetes had a sweet taste. Type II diabetes often led to dangerous complications.

As the understanding grew about the role of diet in managing diabetes, doctors began recommending specific diets for patients. In the early 20th century, fad diets such as the oat cure, milk diet, rice cure, and potato therapy became popular among diabetes patients. Surprisingly, even extreme measures like the "starvation diet" were successful in prolonging patients' lives.

Today we now know that diabetes originates in the pancreas – an understanding that was not present around 130 years ago. In 1569, a German medical student named Paul Langerhans made microscopic observations of pancreatic tissue and discovered clusters of cells within it which were later named islets of Langerhans in his honor. However, at that time insulin had not yet been isolated or its role understood

in these cells' production.In 1889, Oscar Minkowski and Joseph Strasburg conducted a study in France that established the connection between diabetes and the pancreas. Meanwhile, Von Mering was researching fat processing in the body and proposed that poor pancreatic function could affect fat utilization. To test this hypothesis, Von Mering performed surgery on a dog to block its pancreatic ducts, leading to leakage of pancreatic fluids without understanding the link to diabetes. In response, Minkowski suggested removing the dog's pancreas entirely. During the surgery, Von Mering's assistant trained the dog to urinate and defecate at specific times and places. Upon Minkowski's return, they discovered that the dog had uncontrollable urination with no explanation from the assistant. To investigate further, Minkowski collected urine samples from the dog and tested them for glucose levels which were found to be high. They repeated this experiment on multiple dogs with similar results. At this point, both Minkowski and Von Mering realized they had made a groundbreaking discovery - evidence suggesting a connection between disturbances in the pancreas and diabetes.It took 30 more years until the role of insulin in diabetes was discovered. In 1921, Dr. Frederick Banting and Charles Best conducted research to find a substance in the pancreas that could lower blood sugar levels. They focused on isolating a substance called isletin from the islets of Langerhans, which was later renamed insulin. Through experiments injecting insulin into diabetic dogs, they observed a rapid decrease in blood sugar levels and similar symptoms to humans, such as excessive urination and thirst, hunger, headaches, drowsiness, and overweight. To manage diabetes, doctors recommend low carbohydrate, sugar, and fat diets along with weight

loss for those with a family history of the disease. Insufficient or excessive insulin production can cause skin lesions like abscesses, ulcers, eczema, and bullous lesions. It is important to maintain appropriate levels of insulin within the body as diabetes can affect various parts including the skin and eyesight problems like glaucoma and retina atrophy leading to blindness are possible outcomes.In addition, individuals with insulin-dependent diabetes should regularly change their injection sites to avoid indentations on the skin and excess fat accumulation or thickening of the skin. Furthermore, diabetes can lead to hypoglycemia, which is characterized by low blood sugar levels. Hypoglycemia occurs when there is an excessive amount of insulin due to injecting too much, inadequate food intake, or exercising without consuming extra food. It is a risk faced by anyone who relies on insulin treatment and can cause symptoms such as shakiness, nervousness, hunger, weakness, lethargy, sweating, dizziness or lightheadedness. In severe cases, it may even result in seizures.

On the other hand, hyperglycemia refers to high blood sugar levels and indicates poor control of diabetes. It can occur when the body lacks sufficient insulin or cannot efficiently use the produced insulin to convert glucose into energy. Indications of hyperglycemia include extreme thirst, dry mouth, and frequent urination. In individuals with insulin-dependent diabetes specifically, hyperglycemia can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis which manifests as symptoms like nausea and vomiting that might eventually progress into coma.

Moreover,having high blood sugar damages arteries and increases the risk of heart disease while also causing tissue damage that could result in organ failure especially in kidneys.As we have previously discussed Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes but have not

yet covered Gestational DiabetesGestational Diabetes is a type of diabetes that occurs in pregnant women due to hormones produced by the placenta. This condition usually develops in the middle of pregnancy. It is important to note that women with Gestational diabetes have a higher risk of developing diabetes later in life. While this form of diabetes does not typically cause birth defects, it can result in macrosomia, which is when the baby is larger than average. In some cases, a cesarean section may be necessary for delivery if the baby is too big for vaginal delivery. Furthermore, children born to mothers with Gestational diabetes face an increased risk of adolescent obesity and Type 2 diabetes.

Maintaining good dental hygiene is crucial for individuals with any type of diabetes. Managing blood glucose levels effectively plays a vital role in preventing tooth and gum problems. Diabetics who do not control their blood glucose levels well are more prone to gum infections compared to those without diabetes. Additionally, infections take longer to heal in diabetics. Therefore, it is essential to inform your dentist about your diabetes so they can demonstrate appropriate procedures for maintaining healthy teeth and gums.

For individuals with diabetes, regularly testing blood sugar levels is crucial.Keeping intact throughout thistext, it is advised to maintain records that allow doctors to assess the impact of medications, physical activity, diet, colds, and stress on daily blood sugar levels. There are two primary methods for testing blood sugar – obtaining a small drop of blood from the finger and placing it on a plastic strip. The color of the strip changes based on the amount of sugar in the blood.

Testing can be done by comparing the strip's color to a chart or inserting it into a meter. Both methods are more reliable than urine testing. These procedures are commonly used for Type 1 diabetes but may not be necessary for Type 2 diabetics unless they struggle with controlling their condition through diet, exercise, or medication. Managing Type 2 diabetes is relatively easier with diet, exercise, and medication compared to Type 1 which requires insulin shots, regulated diet, and precise glucose testing. It is crucial for effective treatment of Type 1 diabetes to time meals with insulin doses in order to regulate blood glucose levels and prevent hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia as individuals age with diabetes; long-term complications such as organ damage including kidneys, heart, eyes, and nerves become increasingly significant.Kidney disease is a major concern for adults with Type 1 diabetes as it affects the small blood vessels responsible for filtering impurities in the blood. Unfortunately, there is no specific cure for either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, so managing the condition requires a focus on exercise and diet. The diabetic diet emphasizes planning, balance, and consistency in meals to help the body adapt more easily. Weight management is especially important for individuals with non-insulin dependent diabetes as most diabetics are overweight. Therefore, a calorie-controlled meal plan is necessary.

Physical activity plays a crucial role in managing Type II diabetes. It is generally recommended to choose foods that are low in fat and high in protein. Certain foods like nuts, butter, margarine, lunchmeat, bacon sausage gravy salad dressing mayonnaise hydrated shortening should be avoided; reducing cheese intake is also advised. To effectively plan their own

diet, each person should utilize resources such as the Exchange List from the American Diabetes Association which categorizes foods with similar nutrition to provide variety in meals.

Selecting a diabetic diet that can be sustained comfortably over the long term is crucial since there is currently no cure for diabetes. This booklet provides recipes that individuals with diabetes can enjoy and incorporate into their regular diet.

Diabetes is a serious disease that ranks as the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. It impairs the body's ability to effectively use food by converting it into glucose or sugar. Glucose is an essential sugar that gives energy and promotes growth. However, people with diabetes eliminate glucose through urine instead of utilizing it.

The term "diabetes mellitus" has origins in different languages. "Diabetes" comes from the Greek word meaning "to cross over or pass through," while "mellitus" stems from the Latin word for "honey."

There are two forms of diabetes mellitus: Type I and Type II. Type I diabetes, also known as insulin-dependent diabetes, commonly affects children or young adults due to inadequate insulin production. It was previously referred to as juvenile diabetes or juvenile-onset diabetes but can develop at any age, making those terms inaccurate now.

On the other hand, Type II diabetes is more common and primarily affects individuals aged 40 or above, earning it the name adult-onset diabetes. Type I patients often require daily insulin injections to manage their condition, whereas individuals with Type II diabetes typically do not need regular insulin injections but may take medication like Glucophage to regulate their insulin levels.

Type II diabetes occurs when the body is unable to effectively use

insulin, which is a hormone that acts as a messenger for various functions in the body.Insulin is naturally produced by humans and the pancreas, which is located behind the stomach. Its purpose is to help our bodies utilize nutrients from food. Without insulin, cells cannot absorb sugar, leading to its accumulation in the bloodstream instead of entering cells. This lack of nourishment can harm vital organs like the heart and brain. Having excess sugar in the blood poses serious risks. Surprisingly, there are over 13 million Americans with Type II diabetes, and about half of them are unaware of their condition. The medical community continues researching to determine the cause of Type II diabetes but has ruled out autoimmune disease and a specific viral link remains unidentified. In autoimmune diseases, healthy cells are mistakenly attacked by the immune system. Diabetes has been traced back through scientific investigation spanning thousands of years. Ancient civilizations such as Egyptians and Greeks recognized symptoms related to diabetes like excessive thirst and frequent urination. An ancient writer even described diabetes as a condition where flesh and limbs dissolve into urine, noting that individuals with diabetes had sugary-tasting urine.Type II diabetes often led to fatal complications.Doctors discovered that certain diets could be beneficial for managing diabetes based on observations linking food intake to the diseaseIn the early 20th century, several fad diets such as the oat cure, milk diet, rice cure, and potato therapy were commonly used to manage diabetes. Surprisingly, a "starvation diet" was found to be successful in prolonging the lives of patients. Around 130 years ago, it was not yet known that diabetes originated in the pancreas. However,

in 1569 Paul Langerhans, a German medical student, observed clusters of cells in pancreatic tissue which would later be named after him as the islets of Langerhans. At that time though, no one had discovered insulin or understood the role of these cells in producing it.
In France in 1889, Oscar Minkowski and Joseph Strasburg provided evidence linking diabetes to the pancreas. Von Mering and Minkowski conducted an experiment on a dog to investigate this connection. Von Mering tied off the dog's pancreatic ducts but fluids still leaked out; meanwhile Minkowski completely removed the pancreas. Initially they did not understand how this related to diabetes.
During the experiment, they trained the dog to urinate and defecate at specific times and locations; however when Minkowski returned he found that the dog was urinating indiscriminately. The assistant could not explain this behavior. To further investigate, Minkowski tested the dog's urine for glucose levels and discovered high amounts of glucose. They repeated this experiment on other dogs with similar results.
This discovery showed that disruptions in the pancreas were linked to diabetes. However, it was not until 1921 that Dr. Frederick Banting and Charles Best discovered insulin's role in diabetes. The researchers focused on extracting a substance from the islets of Langerhans initially referred to as isletin but later renamed insulin. Banting and Best injected this substance into a diabetic dog, resulting in a rapid decrease in its blood sugar level. This experiment was repeated multiple times with consistent results. Similar symptoms observed in diabetic dogs were also seen in humans, including frequent urination, thirst, hunger, headaches, drowsiness, and obesity.

Doctors advise individuals with diabetes to follow low carbohydrate, low sugar, and

low-fat diets for management purposes. Losing weight can be particularly beneficial in preventing diabetes among those with a family history of the disease. Diabetes can cause various skin conditions like abscesses, ulcers, eczema,and bullous lesions due to imbalances in insulin levels. Maintaining proper insulin levels is crucial for the body's functioning.

Diabetes can also impact other areas of the body such as the eyes and potentially lead to blindness through conditions like glaucoma and retina atrophy.Insulin-dependent diabetics should correctly rotate their injection sites to avoid indentations excessive fat accumulation,and thickened skinDiabetics are at risk of hypoglycemia, characterized by low blood sugar levels due to excess insulin production. Hypoglycemia can occur when a diabetic injects too much insulin, eats too little food, or exercises without eating enough. All patients who use insulin are susceptible to hypoglycemia, which presents symptoms such as shakiness, nervousness, hunger weakness lethargy,sweating,dizziness or lightheadedness. Severe cases may lead to seizures. Conversely, hyperglycemia refers to high blood sugar levels associated with uncontrolled diabetes.

Insufficient insulin in the body prevents glucose from converting into energy. Hyperglycemia manifests through excessive thirst, dry mouth, and frequent urination. For those with insulin-dependent diabetes, this condition can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis causing nausea and vomiting that may progress into coma. Additionally, hyperglycemia damages arteries leading to heart disease and increases the risk of organ failure particularly in the kidneys.

While we have discussed Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes so far, we have yet to address Gestational diabetes which only affects pregnant women due to placenta-produced hormones restricting nutrient transfer from mother to fetus. Typically emerging around mid-pregnancyGestational diabetes in women increases the risk of developing diabetes later in life. While

it typically does not cause birth defects, it can result in larger babies and may require a cesarean section. Children born to mothers with Gestational diabetes are more likely to become obese during adolescence, making them more susceptible to Type 2 diabetes. Individuals with diabetes should maintain good dental hygiene due to an increased susceptibility to gum infections. The management of diabetes can be complex and hinder wound healing. Informing your dentist about your diabetes is important for proper care. Regularly testing blood sugar levels is crucial for effective diabetes management. Keeping records of medications, physical activity, diet, illnesses, and stress can help understand their impact on blood sugar levels. Two commonly used methods for testing blood sugar involve using a small drop of blood on a plastic strip that changes color based on the amount of sugar present. These strips provide an approximate estimate by comparing their color to a chart or a more accurate reading when inserted into a meter. Both methods are more reliable than urine testing and commonly used for insulin-dependent Type 1 diabetics; however, Type 2 diabetics usually do not require these methods unless they struggle to manage their condition with diet, exercise, or medicationsManaging Type 2 diabetes involves diet, exercise, and medications. Type 1 diabetes requires insulin shots, controlled diet, and glucose testing. Proper timing of meals with insulin doses is crucial in maintaining blood glucose levels for Type 1 diabetics. As people age, long-term complications from diabetes can harm various organs such as the kidneys, heart, eyes, and nerves. Adults with Type 1 diabetes have a higher risk of kidney disease due to damage to small blood vessels

that filter impurities from the blood caused by diabetes. There is no specific cure for either type of diabetes; managing the disease primarily involves exercise and diet. A diabetic diet focuses on planning, balance, and consistency to help the body adapt easily. Weight management plays a crucial role for individuals with non-insulin dependent (Type 2) diabetes as most are overweight. Doctors recommend controlling calorie intake through meal plans along with physical activity. To promote a low-fat high-protein diet, it is advised to consume skinless poultry, fish,and lean meats while avoiding foods like nuts,butter,margarine,lunchmeat ,bacon ,sausage ,gravy,salad dressing,mayonnaise,and hydrated shortening.Reducing cheese consumption is also importantIt is emphasized that the mentioned foods are just a few examples of what individuals should eat or avoid. Each person should devise their own personalized diet plan using resources like the American Diabetes Association's Exchange List, which categorizes foods with similar nutritional values to facilitate customized dietary planning. This approach helps prevent boredom and deviation from one's diet. Selecting a sustainable and comfortable diet for the long term is crucial for individuals with diabetes, as managing the condition falls under each person's responsibility. To assist in this endeavor, a booklet has been created containing recipes tailored to meet diabetics' specific dietary needs, which can easily be incorporated into their regular meal plans.