Pathophysiology Report: Type II Diabetes Symptoms and Complications

This report provides an overview of the pathophysiology of Type II Diabetes, a chronic disease characterized by insufficient insulin production leading to high blood sugar levels. The report details the symptoms, including frequent thirst, weight loss, increased hunger, and frequent urination. It explains how the disease affects major organs such as the heart, kidneys, eyes, nerves, and stomach, and discusses potential complications like cardiovascular diseases, kidney failure, nerve damage, eye conditions, slow wound healing, and increased risk of Alzheimer's disease. The report also references key studies and research in the field, such as Inzucchi et al. (2015), Marso et al. (2016), Neal et al. (2017), and Zinman et al. (2015), to support its findings and conclusions. The aim is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the disease and its management.

Running Head: PATHOPHYSIOLOGY 1
Pathophysiology
Author Name
Institutional Affiliation
Author note

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

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY 3
nerve damage is irreversible and if left uncontrolled, it could lead to a permanent loss of feeling
in the limbs. Since the nerves control the process of digestion, the stomach and related organs
will also be affected. The patient may experience nausea, constipation or diarrhoea (Neal et al.,
2017)
Diabetes increases the risk of developing eye conditions such as cataracts and glaucoma.
This may affect eyesight. In addition, the blood vessels of the retina ma e damaged due to the
high levels of sugar and blurry vision may occur (Zinman et al., 2015).
Slow wound healing is common with high sugar levels. If left untreated, a simple cut or
blister can develop into a serious infection. Serve infection may result in amputation of the
affected limb. Consequently, diabetes leaves the patient susceptible to skin problems, especially
fungal and bacterial skin conditions. Although it is not clear why individuals with type two
diabetes are prone to developing Alzheimer’s disease. The more the blood sugar is left
uncontrolled for long durations, the higher the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease (Marso et
al., 2016).

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY 4
References
Inzucchi, S. E., Bergenstal, R. M., Buse, J. B., Diamant, M., Ferrannini, E., Nauck, M., ... &
Matthews, D. R. (2015). Management of hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes, 2015: a
patient-centered approach: update to a position statement of the American Diabetes
Association and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes. Diabetes
care, 38(1), 140-149.
Marso, S. P., Daniels, G. H., Brown-Frandsen, K., Kristensen, P., Mann, J. F., Nauck, M. A., ...
& Steinberg, W. M. (2016). Liraglutide and cardiovascular outcomes in type 2
diabetes. New England Journal of Medicine, 375(4), 311-322.
Neal, B., Perkovic, V., Mahaffey, K. W., De Zeeuw, D., Fulcher, G., Erondu, N., ... & Matthews,
D. R. (2017). Canagliflozin and cardiovascular and renal events in type 2 diabetes. New
England Journal of Medicine, 377(7), 644-657.
Zinman, B., Wanner, C., Lachin, J. M., Fitchett, D., Bluhmki, E., Hantel, S., ... & Broedl, U. C.
(2015). Empagliflozin, cardiovascular outcomes, and mortality in type 2 diabetes. New
England Journal of Medicine, 373(22), 2117-2128.