Type 2 Diabetes Research Paper

Diabetes is a lifelong disease. Once you are diagnosed with Diabetes, you can manage it, but never get rid of it. My father is a type 1 diabetic. He was diagnosed at the age of 13. My maternal grandparents were both type 2 diabetics. They were diagnosed in their late 40’s. I have witnessed firsthand how this disease affects people and families.

There are a few types of Diabetes. There is Type 1. Type 1 is usually diagnosed before puberty. In a type 1 diabetic, the body no longer makes insulin. Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas. Type 2 Diabetes usually affects adults. Children who are overweight may get type 2. With type 2 the body still produces insulin just not enough. Another form of diabetes is Gestational Diabetes. This only

occurs in pregnant women. Most of the time but not always once the baby is born the women is no longer diabetic. There are many symptoms of diabetes. Some symptoms are frequent urination, excessive thirst, fatigue, dry, itchy skin, sometimes unexplained weight loss, and a tingling in your hands and feet. Everyone experiences their symptoms differently and sometimes there may be no symptoms. The only way to know for sure if you have diabetes, is if you get a blood test from your doctor or lab. The blood test will show your blood sugar level or glucose in your blood. If you have diabetes, your doctor will probably refer you to an endocrinologist.
There are ways to manage diabetes.

I wouldn’t say it is treatment, but it helps the disease be manageable and less of a bother. One way to manage is to take medication. Your doctor could prescribe insulin injections. There are many types of insulin. The doctor will give you the one that will benefit the type of diabetes you have. You can take these injections through a syringe or insulin pen. Some people with diabetes choose to wear an insulin pump which is attached to your body almost all the time. Other medications are pills and can be taken daily. Another way to manage your diabetes is by testing your blood sugar frequently. A glucometer is a small machine that requires a small amount of blood to test your sugar level. Diabetics usually test their blood sugar before each meal. Insulin is also usually taken before meals. This will prevent high blood sugars. Eating a low sugar and carb diet is important if you are diabetic. Exercise is also important because managing your weight with diabetes is pretty important. Type 1 cannot be prevented. Type 1 is usually hereditary. Type 2 can be prevented by eating the right foods and getting enough exercise. Obesity can usually lead to type 2 diabetes. A healthy lifestyle is a very important in preventing type 2 diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and high blood pressure. Gestational diabetes can be prevented by eating healthy and not gaining too much weight during pregnancy. If gestational diabetes is not discovered in the mother

there could be difficulties during birth.
Diabetes is a very complex disease. It can affect every part of the human body. It effects the blood, heart, kidneys, feet, eyes, and even teeth. I learned it is very important to control your blood sugar because if you blood sugar is too high it can negatively affect the body. Also if it is too high you have a possibility of going into a coma. If your blood sugar goes too low, you could pass out. You should test your sugar regularly. Eat a healthy diet and get enough exercise. Take your medication as prescribed and visit a doctor when needed. Diabetes is with you for the rest of your life. Take care of it and follow all the instructions so you can live your life to the fullest.