Type 2 Diabetes
By: Tasha • Research Paper • 1,022 Words • February 19, 2010 • 1,046 Views
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Type 2 Diabetes
Diabetes is a very serious disease that 16 million plus United States citizens carry. Diabetes is divided into 2 types, Type 1 and 2. Type 2 is the more common of them, with about 90% of the 16 million cases. If untreated, Diabetes can lead to many other problems and diseases such as heart disease, kidney failure, blindness, slow healing process, and disability to feel parts of the body.
Diabetes Mellitus is a disease in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin, which is the hormone that regulates the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and starches in the body. Some symptoms of either type of Diabetes are general tiredness, sores that heal very slowly or not at all, and tingling in hands and feet.
The reception of Diabetes is caused by one of many things. One is obesity, which is another major problem on its own. Obesity causes many diseases, however, obesity has a big role on Diabetes. Another way to get the disease is by genetics. A family history of Diabetes is a major cause to new cases. The further back the cases go, the more likely the body can be infected with Diabetes. In some events, the path skips a generation of children, and then starts again with the next generation, but even with a family history it can be kept under control if not prevented at an early stage.
Care for diabetes is a very basic form of care for any disease, but unlike some diseases is very crucial to be taken care of well. A well balanced diet consisting of low sugar and low carbohydrate foods, regular daily exercise, and watching for any injuries around the hands and feet are ways to prevent or care for Type 2 Diabetes. Testing blood sugar levels is done by using a lancet and a meter, this is also a very important part to the care. The level for normal glucose before meals is from 80 to 100. Two hours after a meal, the glucose level is supposed to be below 180, but is really preferred if lower if at all possible. At night before bed, the expected level is 100 to 140. This testing and results helps a Diabetic to know how the food they eat affects their body.
No person is the exact same when it comes to Diabetes. People react different to foods and drinks. For example, a person could go and eat McDonald’s French fries and there would not be much of an effect on their blood glucose level. But, another Diabetic might go and do the exact same thing and would have their level way higher than they are supposed to have it. It is very important to keep blood glucose levels moderate, which means to control the highs and lows of the blood glucose level. When a Diabetic gets to low, they can pass out. The only way to get them back conscious is to immediately get sugar into their system. This is why it is important for either type to carry small candy or glucose tablets made especially for Diabetics with them everywhere they go. When levels get to high, weakness is noticeable but normally does not cause a coma like when levels get too low. When it comes to what is done for care, the most important thing to remember is to keep life in some sort of schedule. Eating, testing glucose level, and exercising is meant to be done at a similar and permanent time to keep health in good condition.
A large key in staying healthy with Diabetes is to maintain a healthy weight. It goes back to obesity being a major problem to people with Diabetes. In a person with Diabetes, many complications can come from not staying healthy with what foods and drinks are consumed. Keeping active is important for any person but is very crucial to someone with Diabetes. Staying active could mean going to the gym or going on walks or jogs every day. A large