Type 2 Diabetes

August Nelson

Intro to Chemistry

Type II Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes, previously referred to as adult onset diabetes is a lifelong disease that affects how insulin interacts with your body. Insulin moves glucose or blood sugar into cells where it is stored and used for energy. When the fat, muscle, and liver cells do not properly respond to insulin, this is called insulin resistance and energy is not stored into the cells. When sugar cannot enter the cells, high levels of sugar build up, this is called hyperglycemia. Untreated type 2 diabetes can be fatal. It takes a long time for type 2 diabetes to be detected. Some people with type 2 diabetes may not have symptoms for years. Early symptoms include frequent urination, increased thirst, hunger, fatigue, bladder, kidney and skin infections. Other symptoms include blurred vision, numbness in the extremities, erectile dysfunction, and darkened skin.

The exact cause of type 2 diabetes is currently not known. It develops when the pancreas stops producing insulin, or as stated above, when the body becomes resistant to insulin. Glucose originates from two sources: the food ingested and the liver. Following intestinal digestion and absorption, sugar is absorbed into the bloodstream. Normally, sugar will then enter cells with the help of insulin. Researchers are still unaware of why certain individuals obtain diabetes, while others do not. There are certain risks factors that have been identified, among these factors are weight, fat distribution, inactivity, family history, race, age, and prediabetes.

Type 2 diabetes leads to a number of dangerous health complications. Namely, heart and blood vessel disease, nerve damage, kidney damage, foot damage, osteoporosis, alzheimer's and hearing problems. Because type 2 diabetes is a chronic illness, treatment