Type II Diabetes Mellitus

Running head: TYPE II DIABETES MELLITUS 1
Type II Diabetes Mellitus
Name
Institutional Affiliation.

TYPE II DIABETES MELLITUS 2
Introduction
Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a life-long ailment that alters the normal blood sugar metabolic
processes in a human body. The condition is characterized by relatively low levels of insulin or
resistance to insulin and consequently leading to high blood glucose (Goldstein & Mueller-
Wieland, 2013). This writing will, therefore, focus on the epidemiology of the disease; the most
common onset age, incidence, prevalence, complications in the long term, mortality as well as
morbidity in Australia. The pathophysiology of the disease will also be focused on. This
inscription will also focus on the management practices for the disease, medications used for
remedy, the frequency of conducting self-tests, diet, exercise and monitoring practices most
applicable for individuals with the condition. Complications that could emanate from poorly
controlled levels of blood sugar are to be discussed in the last section of the paper.
Epidemiology.
Based on data recorded in 2014–2015, an estimate of one million Australian adults had type II
diabetes mellitus. This number represented 5% of the total Australian adults (AIHW, 2018). This
data emanated from ABS 2014–15 National Health Survey according to self-reported incidences.
Out of the total male population, 6% had type II diabetes while 5% of female had the disease.
From the age of 55 years onwards, the rates were higher among females than males. The regional
proportions were relatively similar with the percentages being 5% in major cities, 6% in inner
regions and 6% in the outer regional and remote locations (AIHW, 2018). Based on
socioeconomic categories, the prevalence in the lowest socio-economic group was 8% with a 3%
recording in the highest socioeconomic group. It is, however, worth noting that underestimation
of type II diabetes prevalence is likely to occur when data is collected from self-reported cases.
This is mainly because participants may not accurately report or may not completely know their

TYPE II DIABETES MELLITUS 3
diabetes status. Additionally, the unreported state of many cases is another barrier to data
accuracy.
Further information from the national diabetes register (NDR) reveals the rate if insulin use
among type II diabetes patients. The register has it that approximately 16,400 type II diabetes
patients commenced insulin intake in 2016. This proportion equates to around 1 insulin user
among 1,500 Australians (AIHW, 2018). The incidents for type II diabetes treated with insulin
were 1.5 times higher among males in comparison to females. Categorizing by age, it was noted
that patients aged 40 years and above accounted for 91% of insulin-treated diabetes type 2. A
direct proportional steady increase of the rates to age in noted to a climax number of 240 insulin
takers among 100,000 Australians as at the age of 80-84. The rate at this old age is the highest
with it being sighted to double the rate among 50-54 years old patients and eight times higher the
rate of patients at 30-34 years old category (AIHW, 2018). In cases where diabetes was the
underlying cause of death, 55% of the deaths were as a result of type II diabetes mellitus
(Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2018).
There are several long-term complications emanating from type II diabetes and are categorized
as micro-vascular and macro-vascular complications. Micro-vascular complications affect the
nerves, kidneys, and eyes (Becker, 2015). Prolonged out of range glucose levels cause
retinopathy and cataracts in eyes, kidney failure, and diabetic neuropathy. Kidney failure is a
situation where the kidneys are unable to properly clean the blood as they are required to and
thus necessitating medical intervention. Macro-vascular complications, on the other hand, affect
the blood vessels, the brain, and the heart. The disease is known to cause plaque build-up in large
blood vessels and eventually lead to stroke, heart attack, or peripheral vascular disease (PVD) if
left unmanaged (Chatham, Forder, & McNeill, 2012).