Type II Diabetes

By: Nikki Nies

Type II diabetes, aka noninsulin dependent diabetes or adult onset diabetes, has emerged as a health problem for the general public and health professionals. In some of classes, I’ve been taught that you can’t have an overweight or obese patient that doesn’t have diabetes. It doesn’t look right, if diabetes isn’t present without a larger waist circumference. I couldn’t provide information on type I diabetes without a follow up post explaining type II diabetes.

Unlike type 1, type II diabetes affects about 90-95% of all people with diabetes. Either the insulin produced in the pancreas is not enough for the body or the body does not recognize the insulin and is not used properly. With a lack of enough insulin used as it should, called insulin resistant, the glucose (aka sugar) can not get to the body’s necessary cells, which is needed as the body’s main source of energy. Then the insulin builds up in the walls of cells and the body won’t work properly. High blood glucose levels ensue causing hyperglycemia.

Although, anyone can have type II diabetes, being overweight/obese, physical inactivity,older age, women who have had gestational diabetes,family history of diabetes and/or those with metabolic syndrome can increase one’s risk for type II diabetes.

Symptoms:

Dry mouth
Weight Loss
Areas of darkened skin
Slow healing sores
Increased thirst and hunger
Frequent urination
Nausea
Vomiting
Frequent infections of urinary tract, vagina and/or skin
Blurred vision
Numbing in the extremities
Erectile Dysfunction

Problems associated with Type II Diabetes:

Dehydration: the buildup of sugar in the cells can cause increased urination, which causes dehydration; increased urination is the attempt to clear sugar from the body
Damage to the body: with time, high glucose levels can cause damage to small blood vessels in eyes, kidneys and/or heart leading to artherosclerosis
Hyperosmolar nonketotic diabetic coma: May occur once one’s become dehydrated and increased urination
Decreased sensation and poor blood circulation: with artherosclerosis and damage to nerves, it can lead to decreased sensation and circulation; can lead to increased infections, ulcers, digestive problems, vomiting and/or diarrhea

Common tests used to diagnose diabetes include checking one’s hemoglobin A1C, a oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), fasting plasma glucose test and a random or causal plasma glucose test.

American Diabetes Association (ADA) Diagnostic Criteria for Diagnosing Diabetes
Indicator	Normal	Pre-diabetes	Diabetes
Fasting Plasma Glucose	<100 mg/dL	100-125 mg/dL	126+ mg/dL
OGTT—2 hr post glucose rich beverage	<140 mg/dL	140-199 mg/dL	200 mg/dL or greater
Casual or random plasma glucose and symptoms			200 mg/dL or greater
A1C	<5.7%	5.7-6.4%	6.5% or greater

Like type I diabetes, there’s “instant” cure with type 2 diabetes, but it is manageable. Constant monitoring of blood sugar levels decreases risk of complications and increases one’s quality of life. As a lifelong chronic disease, treatment is “life long” as well. It includes regular insulin injections, exercise, eating healthy foods, educating oneself on diabetes, monitoring blood sugar and maintaining a healthy weight.

It’s imperative to learn certain skills once diagnosed with diabetes:

How to handle sick days
Where to buy diabetes supplies and how to store them
What to eat and when
How to test and record blood glucose
How to take medications, if needed

There’s many health professionals, clinics and resources available to diabetics. Don’t be afraid to reach out to said help and take a day at at time in the monitoring of your diabetes.

Sources:http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/type-2/

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/type-2-diabetes/DS00585/DSECTION=symptoms

http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=42940

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000313.htm

http://blog.healthfully.me/wordpress/2013/03/28/type-2-diabetes-are-you-at-risk/

http://drozgarciniacambogia.org/is-garcinia-cambogia-safe-for-diabetics