What is Diabetes Type II? (Brief introduction) We are doing about Diabetes Type II.

Diabetes Type II is a disease that affects the bodys ability to produce sufficient insulin or that the cell does not respond to the insulin due to fats. Insulin is important to us as it transport the glucose broken down from the carbohydrates that you eat into the cells for energy. Diabetes Type II is both avoidable and controllable. It is linked with obesity, lack of exercise, High blood cholesterol and High blood pressure. What are the symptoms and complications of Diabetes Type II? Symptoms of diabetes type II include frequent urination, increased hunger and weight loss. One of the complications of diabetes include ten year shorter life span, due to the number of complications which it is associated with, some examples such as 2-4 times the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke, a 20-fold increase in lower limb amputations and increased frequencies of hospitalizations. In the developed world and still increasing elsewhere, Type II diabetes is the biggest cause of non-traumatic blindness and kidney failure as compared to non-diabetics. It has also been linked with an increased risk of cognitive dysfunction and dementia through diseases such as Alzheimers disease and vascular dementia. Other complications include frequent infections, acanthosis nigricans and sexual dysfunction. What are the causes of Diabetes Type II? Diabetes Type II is caused by a combination of lifestyle and genetic factors. While some are caused under personal control such as diet and obesity, other factors like age, gender and genetics are not. Sleep deficiency and nutritional situation during fetal development has been linked to type II diabetes. Factors that lead to diabetes type II include: Lifestyle Lifestyle factors known to be important to the development of type II diabetes include obesity, lack of sufficient physical activity, poor diet, stress and urbanization. Excess body fat is linked with 64% of cases of diabetes in men and 77% of cases in women. A number of dietary factors such as excessive consumption of sugar sweetened drinks, the type of fats in the diet and eating lots of white rice appear to play a part. Genetics Most cases of diabetes involved many genes with each gene being a small contributor to an increased chance of becoming a Type II diabetic. As of 2011, more than 36 genes have been found that contributes to the risk of type II diabetes. All of these genes combined together still only accounts for 10% of the total genetic component of the disease. There are a number of rare cases of diabetes that arise due to an abnormality in a single gene, which included maturity onset diabetes of the young and Donohue syndrome among others.

What can be done to prevent Diabetes Type II? Onset of type II diabetes can be delayed or prevented through proper nutrition and regular exercise. Intensive lifestyle measures may reduce the risk by over half. The benefit of exercise will occur regardless of the persons initial weight or subsequent weight loss. For those with impaired glucose tolerance, diet and exercise and/or taking Metformin or acarbose may decrease the risk of developing diabetes. Nutrients that control or prevent diabetes include fiber, a nutrient that helps the body stabilize blood sugar level and control it. Zinc also plays an important role in the formation and action of insulin and assists the action of anti-oxidants and decreased zinc has been linked with reduced production and secretion of insulin, a contributing factor for development of diabetes. Sources of fiber and zinc include Irish steel-cut oats, almonds and lentils while fruits with the highest fiber content include apples, pears and raspberries. Anthocyanins in dark reddish-purple fruits and vegetables are linked to a decrease in the inflammation associated with heart disease and diabetes. This phytochemical and flavoroid may also increase insulin activity and decrease blood sugar levels. Sources of anthocyanins include tart cherries. Vinegar is also found to increase insulin sensitivity after a meal in those of type II diabetes. Insulin sensitivity is a term used to indicate the function of insulin in the body, and foods that help to increase insulin sensitivity like vinegar improve the function of insulin and its ability to reduce blood sugar. Lifestyle interventions are generally more effective than Metformin. Management of Diabetes Type II Management of type 2 diabetes focuses on lifestyle interventions, lowering cardiovascular risk factors and maintaining blood glucose levels in the normal range. Self-monitoring of blood glucose for people with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes is recommended by the National Health Services in 2008. Managing other cardiovascular risk factors including hypertension, high cholesterol and microalbumiunuria improves life expectancy. Other factors of managing diabetes type II includes: Lifestyle A proper diet and exercise are the foundations of diabetic care with a greater amount of exercise yielding better results. Aerobic exercise leads to a decrease in HbA1C and improved insulin sensitivity. Resistance training is also helpful and the combination of both exercises may be most effective. A diabetic diet that promotes weight loss is important. Culturally appropriate education may help people with diabetes type II to control their blood sugar levels for up to at least 6 months. If lifestyle measures in those of mildly elevated blood sugars have not resulted in any improvement within 6 weeks, medications should then be considered. Medications

There are several classes of anti-diabetic medications available. Metformin is generally recommended as a first line treatment as there is good evidence that it decreases mortality. Injections of insulin may be either added to oral medication or used alone. Other classes of medication used to treat type II diabetes include sulfonylureas, alpha glycosidase inhibitors and Thiazolidinediones. Metformin however should not be used in those with severe kidney or liver problems. Surgery Weight loss surgery in those who are obese appears to be an effective measure to treat diabetes. Many are able to maintain normal blood sugar levels with little or no medications following surgery and long term mortality is decreased. However there is some short term mortality risk of less than 1% from the surgery.