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What Is Type II Diabetes? |
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Type II diabetes is the most common form of
diabetes found all over the world. Approximately, 95 % of the diabetics
are found to fall into this category. It usually starts developing after
a certain age (around 40 and older) and is also common in those who are
obese (overweight). It occurs because of metabolic and environmental
factors and may also be caused by certain health problems pre-existing
for some time like high blood pressure and presence of high level of
cholesterol in the body. Nowadays, the idea of eating out has taken
force and has spawned a whole generation of obese kids and people who
are ripe candidates for serious illnesses like diabetes.
Diabetes or diabetes mellitus is caused by non-utilization of
insulin produced in the Beta cells of the pancreas to breakdown complex
carbohydrates, fatty acids and proteins into simple glucose molecules
that can be readily absorbed in the bloodstream. In Type II diabetes,
though the pancreas produce enough insulin, due to some external and
metabolic factors the human body develops a kind of resistance for the
insulin and thus in the long run creates a deficiency of insulin which
results in diabetes.
Most of the major symptoms of Type II
diabetes are the same as Type I diabetes like frequent urination,
unusual thirst, hunger, sudden weight loss, weakness, extreme tiredness,
blurred vision, irritability, vomiting and nausea. There is a little
chance of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) occurring as an added
complication. But, the chance of deterioration of organs, especially the
cardiovascular system stands good if type II diabetes is not diagnosed
in time.
Type II diabetes is
characterized by three stages:
1) During the initial phase, there is a marked resistance to the insulin
present in the body and this is called the Insulin resistant phase.
2) The next phase is characterized by low or non-production of insulin as
the pancreatic cells start dying out and this stage is called
postprandial hyperglycemia.
3) The last and final stage is the full blown diabetes and is
characterized by very high sugar levels in the bloodstream. It is
called fasting hyperglycemia and it stays as it is for the rest of the
patient's life.
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