Pathophysiology

Running Head: PATHOPHYSIOLOGY 1
Pathophysiology
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PATHOPHYSIOLOGY 2
Pathophysiology
Robert Daniel Lawrence was diagnosed with diabetes in 1923. He was one of the earliest
recipients of insulin injections. It was from his diagnosis that he devoted his career and life to
taking care of diabetic patients and finding a permanent solution for the disease. He later came to
be the founder of the British Diabetic Association. Type II diabetes is a prevalent disease. It is
caused by the body producing insufficient amounts of insulin to enable breaking down of
glucose. Type II diabetes is characterized by high levels of sugar in the blood. Individuals with
high sugar in their blood experiences frequent thirst, weight loss, increased hunger and frequent
urination.
Pathophysiology is a combination of pathology and physiology. It can be defined as a
discipline that focuses on the symptoms of the disease and its effect on the patient’s body with
the aim of diagnosis or patient care. Type II diabetes is a chronic disease that has no cure
currently. However, there are treatment options that help to manage the symptoms of the disease
and reduce the level of blood sugar. The disease is manifested by unintended weight loss,
polyuria (frequent urination), fatigues, increased hunger and increased thirst. In addition, there is
blurred visions, peripheral neuropathy, sores that take long to heal and frequent infections.
Type II diabetes affects the major organs such as the heart, kidneys, eyes, nerves, and
stomach. Due to the high levels of blood sugar, the blood arteries and veins may narrow
increasing the blood pressure. This could result in stroke or cardiovascular diseases. Diabetes can
sometimes result in a kidney failure which is irreversible. The patient may need to undergo a
kidney transplant (Inzucchi et al., 2015)
Excess sugar in the blood causes a tingling sensation followed by numbness and pain.
This symptoms usually begin at the extremities and gradually spread to the rest of the body. The