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Health Problems Caused By Type 2 Diabetes |
By:
Adrian Fletcher |
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Health Problems Caused By Type 2 Diabetes
Adrian Fletcher
Diabetes is sometimes referred to as a metabolic disorder because it becomes a problem when we eat food. Diabetics have a problem with the production of insulin. Insulin is produced when a person eats some food, in particular, carbohydrate types of foods. Carbohydrates get broken down by the body to form glucose that is absorbed into the bloodstream. In the bloodstream it can be transported to all the cells in the body and gives them energy. During this metabolic process the glucose levels in the blood reduce from a high level to a normal number. Insulin is responsible for reducing glucose in the blood. For diabetics this cannot be done because they do not produce insulin or the body is resistant to naturally occurring insulin. This means they have to take medication or inject insulin to get over this problem. This article will discuss the differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes and then list some of the common health problems caused by type 2 diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is thought to be an autoimmune disorder. The immune system thinks that the beta cells in the pancreas, that create insulin, are foreign and destroys them. Type 2 diabetes is more to do with insulin resistance. The body continues to produce insulin but the body does not respond to the insulin as it used to. Diabetes during pregnancy is another type of diabetes that is similar to type 2 diabetes in that it is resistance to the naturally occurring insulin.
The ongoing treatment for type 1 is consistent exercise, a balanced diet and insulin replacement therapy. Type 2 is treated similarly, through exercise and diet. It generally does not need insulin replacement therapy but may need medication to make the body more responsive to the normally occurring insulin.
Type 2 Diabetes Causes
Simply put, the cells in the body stop recognizing or processing insulin. Cells in this condition are believed to have lost the receptor that senses insulin. How this occurs is not completely clear however people that have large stomachs are thought to be most at risk to type 2 diabetes. The fatty deposits around the waist produce adipokines that are believed to reduce the body's tolerance to insulin.
Common Health Problems
It is important to manage blood glucose levels. If they are high for long periods of time then the consistency of the blood affects many areas of the body that it flows to. In particular, it can score the inner walls of the arteries. This makes it more likely that LDL cholesterol that passes through the arteries with the blood will stick to the inner walls. This is the cause of atherosclerosis and can lead to blood clots and strokes when bits of LDL cholesterol break off the walls and obstruct the flow of blood.
Poor circulation is another problem brought about by type 2 diabetes. Poor circulation can lead to a number of problems including eye conditions. Diabetic retinopathy is one such example. The capillaries that bring blood to the eyes die because they stop getting blood. This forces the body to create more capillaries to support the eyes but they are weaker than the original capillaries and may burst or leak blood. this goes into the eye and can cloud the vision or even lead to blindness.
Poor circulation also leads to problems with the extremities of the body, notably the hands and feet. They do not get adequate supplies of blood that keep them healthy and more resistant to bacteria and infections.
For areas like the feet, cuts, bruises and infection are often ignored because the feet are meant to be tough. This is worse for diabetics becuase the nervous system is weakened. this means an warning of foot problems like pain may not be felt and acted on. This can lead to more problems, especially as it takes longer to heal foot problems in a diabetic.
The simplest treatment for type 2 diabetes is exercise and diet. Get a regular exercise schedule. Start off small and build up as you get more stamina. Consult a doctor about what and how much exercise you should do. Plan a diabetic diet with a dietitian and make sure it is balanced to give you all the vitamins and nutrients you need.
Learn more about http://diabeticdietsplan.com/Diabetic_Diet_Plan.html diabetes diet plans at www.diabeticdietsplan.com. The site deals with diets and eating nutritious http://www.diabeticdietsplan.com/ diabetes foods and some common symptoms of diabetes.
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Article Source: http://www.statssheet.com/articles/article70121.html |
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