Free Article: Type Two Diabetes

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Understanding Type Two Diabetes
By M. A. Fulmar

Just as air is synonymous with the proper functioning of lungs or as blood is associated with the working of the heart, so is glucose a vital nutrient that provides energy for each of the individual cells within the body. In addition, if any of these processes are disrupted they can have an extremely adverse affect on the human body.

Examples of possible disruptions of our air supply could be swimming under water or being involved in a house fire. Or, a person who has experienced a heart attack realizes the value of the human heart and its function. In addition, a person who has type two diabetes knows of the dangers associated with the inability of the body's insulin to process glucose. The proper utilization of glucose is necessary for the cells of the body to receive energy.

Difference Between Type One And Type Two Diabetes

First of all it is important to understand the basic differences between the two types of diabetes. The two types of diabetes are type one diabetes and type two diabetes. Knowing the differences is critical when it comes to treating these two illnesses.

Type one diabetes is defined as that diabetic condition in which the pancreas is producing zero amounts of insulin. Although this malady can develop at any age, it was often labeled as juvenile diabetes because of its frequency amongst children and young adults. Being subject to this type of diabetes requires that the individual receive daily insulin from other manufactured sources.

Type two diabetes generally manifests itself in the later stages of a person's life. This type of diabetes is defined as the body's inability to utilize what insulin the pancreas is producing. The condition created by type two diabetes can usually be controlled by diet, exercise and prescription medication.

Manifestation Of Type Two Diabetes

Type two diabetes has its onset when the body begins to oppose the insulin that is being reduced. Specifically, the muscles and tissues of the body do not physiologically respond to the insulin. The pancreas responds to this rejection by increasing the production of insulin. Also in concert with the pancreas, the liver, storage organ for glucose, releases glucose in response.

This process eventually reduces the ability of the pancreas to produce sufficient amounts of insulin. In addition the muscles and tissues become increasingly resistant. This continued process eventually increases the blood sugar level within the body due to the inability of the process to break down the sugar or glucose in the blood.

Who Is At Risk

Those who are primarily at risk in developing type two diabetes are those individuals who are over the age of 40. Another added risk factor are overweight individuals. Specifically, overweight is defined as an individual who has a body mass index of over 25 and who does not maintain an active lifestyle. In addition, a person who is identified as having an apple shape physique, a great amount of fat content surrounding the stomach, have a higher risk of developing type two diabetes.

Of great concern, lately, are the epidemic proportions at which children are gaining weight. This weight gain, due to poor diet and lack of exercise, puts these young children at risk for type two diabetes.

Symptoms

It is important to note that individuals who have type two diabetes do not necessarily exhibit any symptoms of this disease. The symptoms of type two diabetes include increased urination, excessive thirst, feelings of fatigue, weight loss, increase in appetite, general malaise and blurry vision.

Author Details:
M. A. Fulmar writes about Diabetes and other health matters for various web sites including, The A to Z of and Information Junkie.

Source: Free Health Article Directory

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