Claudia Delgado

Professor Neilsen
Biology 1090
E- Portfolio Essay
Type II Diabetes
Type two diabetes is a chronic condition that affects the way that the body processes
glucose (blood sugar). Although genetics may play a factor to someone becoming a type
II diabetic, the main cause is often a persons lifestyle. There are many things that can help
a person manage living with this disease such as medication as well as a change in diet
and exercise.
The gland that controls how insulin works is the pancreas. The pancreas secretes
insulin into the bloodstream. The insulin then circulates enabling sugar to enter the cells.
Insulin lowers the amount of sugar in the bloodstream, as the sugar level drops so does
the secretion of the insulin from the pancreas. Glucose comes from two major sources,
they come from the food that is consumed and the also the liver. The liver stores and
makes glucose. When glucose levels are low, the liver breaks down stored glycogen into
glucose to keep the glucose within normal limits.
This type of diabetes it is typically referred to as insulin resistant another common
name for it can also be non insulin dependent. With type II diabetes the body either
resists the effects of insulin (a hormone that regulates the movement of sugar into the
cells) or does not produce enough insulin to maintain the glucose at a normal level (Mayo
Clinic). Type II diabetes has currently been on the rise due to obesity, not only in
adults,but also in children.
A person could be living with type II diabetes for many years and not know it
because the symptoms develop slowly one may not know how advanced it is and if it has
become more severe. Some of the symptoms include: Increased thirst and frequent
urination, increased hunger, weight loss, fatigue, blurred vision, slow healing sores or
frequent infections, and also areas of darkened skin. These symptoms may not seem life
threatening, but if left untreated it could lead to death. (Mayo Clinic)
Some possible physical findings with patients with type II diabetes mellitus are
obesity, hypertension, eye hemorrhages, exudates, neurovascularization, neurologicdecreased or absent light touch, temperature sensation, and propriocption; loss of deep
tendon reflex in the ankles, muscle atrophy. (Medscape)
Some things that may increase the risk of someone getting type II diabetes is weight,
Fat distribution, inactivity, family history, race, and age. Being overweight is a primary
risk factor, the more fatty cells that an individual has the more resistant the cells become
to insulin. The less active a person is there is a higher chance of someone becoming a
diabetic. It is unclear why race is a factor, but there are certain races that are more
susceptible with African Americans, Hispanics, American Indians, and Asian Americans.
People after the age of 45 exercise less, lose muscle mass and gain weight. (Mayo Clinic)
Some long term complications of type II diabetes are heart and blood vessel disease,
nerve damage, kidney damage. Heart and blood vessel- diabetes dramatically increases
the risk of various cardiovascular problems. Nerve damage- excess sugar can injure the
walls of the tiny blood vessels that nourish the nerves. Kidneys contain millions of tiny
blood vessels clusters that filter out the waste from the blood.

By maintaining a healthy diet, exercising and lastly maintaining a healthy body

weight. Eating Healthy includes adding fruits, vegetables, whole grains and also eating
fewer animal products. Being physically active helps you control the weight that you
have gained, it uses glucose as energy and makes cells more sensitive to insulin. Aiming
for at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise most days and stretching and strengthening
exercises are also very important. If diet and exercise are not enough then a person could
be put on medication to help manage their blood sugar. The decision about which
medications are best depends on any other health problems that that individual is
suffering. Bariatric surgery is also an option, but this an expensive surgery and there is
also a very big risk of death.
Citation:
"Type 2 Diabetes." Causes. Mayo Clinic. Web. 24 Nov. 2015.
"Type 2 Diabetes." Risk Factors. Mayo Clinic. Web. 24 Nov. 2015.
"Type 2 Diabetes." Symptoms. Mayo Clinic. Web. 24 Nov. 2015.
"Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus." : Practice Essentials, Background, Pathophysiology. Web. 24
Nov. 2015.