Understanding Type II Diabetes: Symptoms, Risks, and Complications

This report provides a detailed overview of Type II diabetes, a chronic condition affecting glucose regulation. It discusses the causes, such as insulin resistance and pancreatic dysfunction, and associated health problems like heart disease, neuropathy, kidney failure, and retinopathy. The report highlights common symptoms, including frequent urination, increased thirst, slow-healing sores, and blurred vision. It also addresses the link between diabetes and mental health issues like depression, as well as potential pregnancy complications. The importance of regular check-ups and managing blood sugar levels to mitigate risks is emphasized. This document is available on Desklib, a platform offering a range of study tools and solved assignments for students.

You must known about
diabetes
Introduction
Type II diabetes is chronic condition that affects the way
through which body uses and regulates the motion of
glucose. This long term condition results in circulation of too
much sugar in the bloodstream which can eventually lead to
disorders of the nervous and circulatory system. Type II
diabetes is lifelong and can seriously damage the eyes, heart
and specially the feet. This report gives an explanation about
type II diabetes and the additional health issues associated
with it. The discussion also revolves around the signs and
symptoms of diabetes and treatment measures that are advice
to a patient suffering from diabetes.
Overview
Diabetes is an impairment where high blood sugar levels leads to disorders of the
circulatory and immune system. There are two ways through which type II diabetes
develops i.e., when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin and when the cells
respond poorly to the hormone that regulates the circulation of sugar and there is
intake of less sugar through these cells. There is no available cure for type II
diabetes and children with obesity have a higher chance of contracting this disease.
Insulin resistance is the main reason because of which people develop type II
diabetes. Insulin is a hormone which is produced in the pancreas that helps the cells
convert glucose (sugar) into energy, however in this case of diabetes, insulin is
produced but the cells cannot take it up for production of energy (Bommer and et.
al., 2018).
When the cells cannot intake glucose, the pancreas produce more insulin to make up for the
insulin that is not absorbed which leads to building up of glucose in the bloodstream. There are a
combination of factors that can cause type II diabetes, such as genes, being overweight, presence
of any metabolic syndrome, production of too much glucose from the liver for storage. There is
also a possibility that bad communication between the receptors of the cells that can affect the
uptake of insulin and this chain reaction can lead to diabetes (Chaplin, 2020). High blood sugar
level can also be caused when beta cells in the pancreas may send out wrong signals for
production of high amounts of insulin. Insulin resistance can also result in a variety of metabolic
syndromes such as high blood pressure, high level of cholesterol and triglycerides. The
possibility gaining extra weight can also cause insulin resistance leading to type II diabetes.
According to a research conducted by UK Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS), the prevalence
of diabetes is increasing with each surpassing day as about 90% of the adults have either been
diagnosed with type II diabetes or are at a high risk for contracting the disease because of
sedentary lifestyle (Diabetes in the UK: 2019, 2020).
Health problems associated with type II diabetes
According to the NHS, if a person is diagnosed with diabetes it is important to
undergo regular check-ups and keep an eye on the health of a person who is
suffering from type II diabetes. There is a high chance of stroke or developing heart
diseases if cholesterol and blood pressure levels are not checked and treated (Zare
and et. al., 2019). Smoking worsens the effect of diabetes on the heart. Any
numbness or pain should be immediately reported to the doctor as this can be caused
due to diabetes that cause damage to the nerves. Neuropathy is a severe dysfunction
of one or more nerves that can result in muscle weakness and affects other parts of
the body. Nerve damage causes vomiting, nausea and may lead to erectile
dysfunction in men. Ulcers and sore feet can cause loss of feeling as diabetes reduce
the supply of blood to the feet. Cuts, cracks, numbness of toes and feet should be
reported to the doctor.

If sore feet is not treated at an early stage it can lead to gangrene which can only be
treated by amputation. Diabetic retinopathy is caused by damaged blood vessels leading
to sight problems and even blindness. Diabetes can also damage the filtering system of
the body leading to kidney failure or irreversible kidney disease. Susceptible skin
conditions can develop as a result of bacterial and fungal infections. The risk of
developing dementia is directly related to poor control over the blood sugar level. It is
observed by the NHS, that people with diabetes have the possibility of contracting
Alzheimer's disease (Takehara and et. al., 2019). Diabetes and mental health issues such
as depression also go hand in hand. The management of diabetes is affected by
depression such as non- adherence towards diabetes medication. Uncontrolled blood
sugar levels in women can cause complications during pregnancy such as low blood
sugar level in the newborn, unusual growth in infants, type II diabetes in later stages of
life and even death.
Signs and symptoms
The symptoms of diabetes vary from person to person depending on
the elevation of blood sugar level. One of the major symptom of
diabetes is presence of ketones levels in the urine sample of the
patient. As ketones are the by-products that are produced due to
breakdown of fat and muscles due to unavailability of insulin
(Skinner, Joensen and Parkin, 2020). Frequent urination, increased
thirst and episodes of extreme hunger are experienced by the people
suffering from diabetes. Slow healing sores of feet and occurrence of
infections such as skin or vaginal infections can develop at any age.
There is unexplained weight loss along with blurred vision which is
followed by irritability which is more common in people above the
age of 40. . Diagnosis of pre-diabetes is also a major symptom that
can help a caregiver identify the possibility of developing the
disease. Pre-diabetes occurs when the blood sugar levels are very
high in a person but not high enough for it be classified as diabetes.
It can also be called as precursor to diabetes. High blood pressure
can essentially slow down the functioning of kidneys and lead to
chronic kidney disease (Cherrington and et. al., 2021).