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Type 2 Diabetes

Michael McCann
Health 1020
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Michael McCann

Chad Harbaugh

Health 1020

November 15, 2017

Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetes Mellitus is the proper terminology for the disease we call diabetes. Diabetes

Mellitus is a combination of Greek and Latin words diabetes meaning siphon, and mellitus

meaning honeyed or sweet. Siphon is also explained as passing through, which doctors know

connect to urination.

This definition begs the question How did the people in the roman empire know urine

was honeyed? According to Doctor Bryce Peterson, Doctors and Physicians during that time

would taste the urine of their patients for a sweet, sugary taste. If it had a honeyed sweet taste,

they would know to diagnose diabetes (Peterson). Dr. Peterson continued to say that wasnt

something he was willing to do for his patients.

Diabetes is a very unique disease. There is still much to learn about it causes, effects, and

prevention. There are a few different types of diabetes. This paper will review Types 1 and 2,

with a singular focus on Type 2. Though there are some differences in each type, both deal with

the receptors of insulin. We are still learning many things, but we do know two things for sure;

That diabetes is a disease which someone inherits a predisposition in someone genetics, and its

triggered by their environment (Facts About Type 2).

Type 1 is often characterized as insulin-dependent. What that means is the bodies pancreas

cant make enough Insulin for its needs. Insulin is a hormone that aides moving glucose from the

bloodstream into cells. Without enough Insulin to push glucose, cells dont get enough energy
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and the blood is too high in sugars. Type 1 diabetes is common among whites. Someone must

inherit risk factors from both parents, in most Type 1 cases.

Type 2 accounts for the majority of all diabetic cases. Roughly 90% to 95% of all diabetes

cases are type 2 diabetes (Diabetes Home). Type 2 is characterized as insulin-resistant. Here,

cell receptors begin to reject insulin provided by the pancreas. This rejection causes the pancreas

to over work in producing insulin, and eventually the pancreas burns out from exhaustion. Type

2 is very common among African-Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, and Pacific Islanders

(Facts About Type 2). Symptoms of Type 2 include thirst, hunger, losing weight unintentionally,

blurry eyes, or having sores that heal slowly (Diabetes Type 2).

When eating food, our bodies are given necessary nutrients including glucose. Glucose is

sugar, which gives energy to cells inside our bodies. After eating, our blood sugar levels

increase, stimulating our brain to request the release of insulin from beta-cells within the

pancreas (Symptoms and Causes). Insulin allows glucose to enter cells and break down into

energy for cells to function properly. If our body has an inability to receive the insulin from the

pancreas, our cells cant receive the proper energy from glucose. This causes our blood sugar

levels to remain above normal. Now even though the brain has already signaled for more insulin,

the body is now requesting a different way to regulate sugar levels in the blood. Sustained high

blood sugar is called Hyperglycemia. Signs of hyperglycemia is increased thirst and urination.

This is the body calling a new way to regulate the blood sugar level, by excreting excess glucose

through the urine (hence why doctors would look for honeyed urine during Greek and Roman

times).

People with Diabetes can also experience Hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia occurs when blood

sugar levels drop well below normal. Signs of hypoglycemia are shakiness, tingling, headaches,
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anxiety, and even unconsciousness. Hypoglycemia is treated by consuming simple carbohydrates

such as; orange juice, hard candy, milk, etc. Someone with hypoglycemia can also get a

glucagon shot. Glucagon is a hormone that stimulates the liver to release stored glycose to the

blood stream.

Both Hypoglycemia and Hyperglycemia are extremely dangerous, if left untreated. If not

treated, high sugar levels can damage the kidneys, nerves, heart, or your eyes (Facts About Type

2). Low blood sugar levels can cause many different accidents.

Type 2 diabetes is believed to have a close connection to Obesity. What people consume,

and the lifestyle they live can trigger diabetes. If you diet carefully, consume whole grains and

meals, and exercise regularly, chances of avoiding or delaying diabetes increases exponentially

including for those who have inherited a predisposition to the disease. On the flip side to that,

there are serious consequences to a persons actions. If they consume high fat, high carb, high

sugar diets regularly, and never exercise, this environment increases the chances for triggering

diabetes.

Genetics is another basis for Type 2 diabetes. In the August 2013 issue of Diabetics Care,

Dr. Valeriya Lyssenko wrote about the many studies being done to discover the connection

between genetics and diabetes. She claims that through study, they found that the chance of

developing the disease was roughly forty percent, if the offspring had just one parent with type 2

diabetes. But, if both parents had type 2 diabetes, the chance of developing it began to approach

seventy percent (Lyssenko). There is a firm belief among doctors and scientists that genetic

make-up creates an internal environment that fosters cell receptor irregularities. The challenge

scientists face currently, is the ability to find genetic markers that explain excess risk associated

with having family history is diabetes.

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My grandfather, William Werrett, was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes when he was 45

years old. I spoke recently with my mother, Kathryn, about his diagnosis and how it changed his

lifestyle for good and bad. Kathryn told me that William began gaining weight in his mid-

twenties. He loved ice cream, and would eat at least one heavily scooped bowl out every night

after work for years. And more later that night if he could get it. As time went on and he got into

his 40s, William began to feel numb in his feet, and had a weaker immune system. Williams

mind went to the fact that his mother also was diagnosed with diabetes, and figured he better get

checked out. So he went to a doctor and sure enough, he had type 2 diabetes. This sent a shock

wave through his life and mindset about his health, but it didnt last. William took oral pills at

first to aid his body, but eventually had to turn to insulin shots to keep up with a overworked

pancreas and failing kidneys. He eventually had to have a kidney transplant. As time went on, he

became lazier and lazier about checking his blood sugar levels. More than once, hypoglycemia

would kick in while driving and stopped at a stop light. Officers would have to wake him up and

get him orange juice to be awake enough to drive again. He fought with his blood sugar levels,

and the side effects of diabetes, until the day he died (McCann).

My grandpas story is not unique. There are many complications as diabetes digresses.

Eventually, there are many consequences. The kidney failure William had, is very common.

Kidneys fail after diabetes damages the delicate filtering system kidneys house. Once they are

damaged, they cant fully repair so they fail. The numbing feeling in his feet, that came from

nerve damage. The Mayo Clinic states, Excess sugar can injure the walls of the tiny blood

vessels (capillaries) that nourish your nerves, especially in the legs. This can cause tingling,

numbness, burning or pain that usually begins at the tips of the toes or fingers and gradually

spreads upward. Poorly controlled blood sugar can eventually cause you to lose all sense of
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feeling in the affected limbs (Symptoms and Causes). The damage to eyes is called diabetic

retinopathy. Diabetes can damage the blood vessels in the eyes, causing blurry vision. It can lead

to potential blindness if not timely treated.

Diabetes is a growing challenge for the world population, and shows no signs of slowing

down. The CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) estimates that in 2015, 9.4% of the

United States population was diagnosed with Diabetes (Diabetes Home). That is an estimated

30.2 Million people, who have diabetes. This disease is going to take time to understand. In the

meantime, there is so much we can do to prevent and deter this disease. Each person must take it

upon themselves to be more conscientious of what they put into their bodies. The world today is

full of fast-food, high carb and high sodium meals. Those who want to prevent diabetes, along

with a myriad of other health related downfalls, must choose to fill their bodies with more

nutrient-dense foods. A balanced diet of whole grains, fruits, veggies, dairy, and meats will allow

our bodies to function at their full capacity. Diabetes is a disease which someone inherits a

predisposition to in their genetics, and its triggered by unknown causes in their environment.

But with planning and proper execution, each person can prevent this disease and live a long,

healthy life.
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Works Cited

Diabetes Home. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, 17 July 2017, www.cdc.gov/diabetes/data/statistics/statistics-report.html.

Diabetes Type 2. MedlinePlus Trusted Health Information for You, U.S. National Library of
Medicine, 6 Nov. 2017, medlineplus.gov/diabetestype2.html#cat_51.

Facts About Type 2. American Diabetes Association, American Diabetes Association, 27 Oct.
2015, www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/type-2/facts-abouts-type-2.html.

Lyssenko, Valeriya. Genetic Screening for the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes. Diabetes Care, vol.
36, no. 12, 1 Aug. 2013, pp. S120-S126.,
Care.diabetesjournals.org/content/36/supplement_2/S120.

McCann, Kathryn. Personal Interview. 11 Nov. 2017.

Peterson, Bryce. Personal Interview. 30 Oct. 2017.

Symptoms and Causes. Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research,
31 July 2014, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/type-2-2diabetes/symptoms-causes/syc-
20351193?p=1.