Type 2 diabetes

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes among the diabetic patients. Despite the many researches done on diabetes, there is little known about the major risk factors of type 2 diabetes. Most of the researchers focused their attention on the causes, symptoms and the treatment options available. Due to the alarming increase in the reported cases of type 2 diabetes, there is a need to understand the risk factors for type 2 diabetes.

The purpose of this study was to determine the major risk factors of the type 2 diabetes. The problem of the study was to explore the risk factors of type 2 diabetes. From observations, and the available statistics, the author noted that there were some patterns in the people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes  in the efforts to undersand the reason behind the trends, there was a need for a study.

An intensive research was conducted to assemble sufficient evidence on the possible risk factors of type 2 diabetes. The research focused on the statistics of diabetic patients. Special attention was focused on factors such as race, body conditions at the time the patient was affected by the type 2 diabetes, just to mention but a few. From the evidence collected from the research, it was possible to narrow down on the risk factors of type 2 diabetes. Although there were many possible risk factors for the disease, the study outlined the major risk factors as: – High blood pressure, obesity, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), and Gestational Diabetes. A conclusion was drawn that, a  person with conditions has a high possibility of falling victim of type 2 diabetes.

The applicability and implications of the research are unquestionable, as they seek an answer to the risk factors of type 2 diabetes. By identifying the risk factors, helps the helps anyone in knowing the conditions which can lead to type 2 diabetes, and hence avoid them.

Introduction

Diabetes is among the diseases which have been reported to be on an increase over time. Recent researches have indicated that while the reported cases of diabetes have gone up, about 90% are of the type 2 diabetes (Who.int, 2015). People with type 2 diabetes present a different scenario from those with type 1 diabetes. The bodies of people with type two diabetes manufacture insulin, but either their bodies do not use the insulin as supposed or the produced insulin is insufficient. This condition affects the usage of the glucose since it becomes difficult for the glucose to enter into the body cells, where it is required. The consequence of which, the glucose accumulates in the blood, leading to several complications. On the other hand, the insufficiency in insulin production can also lead to type 2 diabetes. Regardless of the actual cause of the type 2 diabetes, the symptoms remain the same. 

English & Williams (2001) outlined that, while anyone can get type 2 diabetes, there are a number of risk factors. Such risk factors include: – being from certain races (e.g. black American), being of an age over 45 years, family history with type 2 diabetes, just to mention but a few. Goldstein & Mueller-Wieland (2013, pg. 508), pointed out that out of the reported cases of type 2 diabetes, about 62.6% were blacks, with 58.9% being whites. Although there are numerous ways through which type 2 diabetes can be treated, the disease is preventable.

Thesis statement

While type 2 diabetes remains a health threat all over the world due to the increasing reported cases of the disease, sufficient researches have been done. Fox, Kilvert & Sönksen (2007), explained the cause of type 2 diabetes as a combination of insulin resistance and inadequacy in the supply of insulin. Through research, the risk factors of the type 2 diabetes have been identified. Through their intensive research on the risk factors for diabetes type 2, (Bi et al., 2012) identified the major risk factors as: – high blood pressure, obesity, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), and Gestational Diabetes. The authors explained that, these conditions increase the chances of a person getting type 2 diabetes by a significant factor. Each of these risk factors for type 2 diabetes is discussed below.

            High blood pressure

This is an extremely common problem in people with diabetes. This is especially the case with people with type 2 diabetes (English & Williams, 2001). The high blood pressure is also known as hypertension. It is a common problem in people with type 2 diabetes. Despite the high correlation that has been found between the diseases, the actual cause it yet to be pointed at (‘High blood pressure and diabetes’, 2009). However, physicians have explained that, the conditions such as obesity, high fat levels in the body, high sodium diet and body inactivity could be the reason why the two diseases are correlated. 

Although hypertension can still occur independently, it can be a serious problem when it occurs in a diabetic person. If someone has type 2 diabetes, the goal of controlling blood pressure becomes even stricter. Due to the strong relationship which occurs between the two diseases, scientists have found out that the chances of a person with hypertension getting diabetic are high (‘High blood pressure and diabetes’, 2009).

According to Dr. Gress, “people with hypertension are almost 2.5 times more likely to develop diabetes than those with normal blood pressure” (2000, P.905). In his book “obesity and diabetes,” Mantzoros (2006) concurred with the argument by stating that there were more that 2-times chances of a person with high blood pressure becoming diabetic.

Just like (Bi et al., 2012) outlined, the combination of type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure is very dangerous. Henry ( 2002, Pg. 458) stated that, “In a study of almost 70,000 individuals, 30 percent of men over 40 years of age with a systolic blood pressure of between 140 and 159mm/Hg had impaired fasting glucose or prediabetes.” High blood pressure is certainly a factor that may cause type 2 diabetes, but high blood pressure can also be caused by carrying excessive weight.

Obesity

Obesity and weight gain dramatically increase the risk of type 2 diabetes (Mantzoros, 2006). The author further explains that, not only does it place strain on the heart, but it can also cause fatigue and lethargy, making a person not want to move as much. Over time, this can cause the heart to be weaker; the heart has to work harder to keep the blood circulating the body. If obesity is added to the equation, a person is even more likely to develop a problem with their blood pressure.

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, “approximately 80% of the people with type 2 diabetes are overweight or obese”. In an independent scientific research report, about 90% of the individuals diagnosed with diabetes type 2 are obese or overweight (Obesity.org, 2015). These findings draw a strong correlation between obesity and type 2 diabetes.

It is commonly accepted in the medical community that obesity can lead to high blood pressure, but the behavior that causes most cases of obesity can also cause a person to develop type 2 diabetes. If a person has poor eating habits and is mostly sedentary, they are at risk for causing their body to become insulin intolerant or insulin resistant (Obesity.org, 2015).

According to the findings of the Dr Pi-Sunyer’s Research, men with a BMI of 35 or greater were 42.1 times more likely to develop diabetes compared with men at their ideal weight with a BMI of 23 less” (2002, Pg. 97-104). Obesity and hypertension are common causes of type 2 diabetes, but other circumstances can cause this development: one of them is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is also associated with insulin resistance and a high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. This is a condition that occurs in females, during their reproductive age. It is commonly accepted in the medical community that obesity can lead to Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, but the behavior that causes most cases of obesity can also cause a person to develop type 2 diabetes.  

Knochenhauer (1998) stated that, “Of women who have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, 35 percent have been shown to progress to diabetes five to ten times faster than females without this condition.”  These statistics were further supported by the findings of (Diamanti-Kandarakis, 1999), who argued that Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome had a high correlation to type 2 diabetes in women.

Hypertension and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome are most common causes of type 2 diabetes, but other circumstances can cause this development: one of them is Gestational Diabetes.

Gestational Diabetes                                 

Gestational Diabetes is the most common precursor to developing type 2 diabetes later in a person’s life. Gestational Diabetes is a condition which emerges due to excessive amounts of glucose in the blood. It commonly affects women during their pregnancy periods. The high levels of glucose in the body outweigh the insulin’s capacity, and hence the levels of glucose remain unregulated.

According to the report by the National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases(2003), “If you had gestational diabetes, however, you have about 20 to 50 percent chance of developing Type 2 diabetes within the next five to ten years” (Pg. 7). Robitaille & Grant (2008) further add that, the insulin resistance that occurs during pregnancy complications makes the affected females have higher chances of getting type 2 diabetes over the ordinary ladies.

In a research that recruited 25,000 pregnant ladies it was found out that the risk factor of type 2 diabetes had increased by a double factor, as reported by (Goldstein & Mueller-Wieland, 2013, pg. 243). The authors further explained that, during pregnancies, the woman’s body is likely to develop insulin resistance, due to the high accumulations of glucose evident during pregnancies. For this reason, it becomes difficult for the body sugar to be absorbed into the body cells, and hence its accumulation in the blood has an adverse effect, including predisposing of type 2 diabetes. Obesity, the need for insulin during the pregnancy, and repeated episodes of Gestationaldiabetes all increase the risk of future diabetes (Robitaille & Grant, 2008).

Conclusion

Diabetes affects children and adults, people who are fit or out-of-shape, and people of all races and ethnicities. However, while the type 2 diabetes can affect anyone, its chances can be narrowed by avoiding or preventing the risk factors.

References

Bi, Y., Wang, T., Xu, M., Xu, Y., Li, M., & Lu, J. et al. (2012). Advanced research on risk           factors of type 2 diabetes. Diabetes/Metabolism Research And Reviews, 28, 32-39.     doi:10.1002/dmrr.2352

Diamanti-Kandarakis, E. (1999). A Survey of the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in the Greek          Island of Lesbos: Hormonal and Metabolic Profile. Journal Of Clinical Endocrinology &      Metabolism, 84(11), 4006-4011. doi:10.1210/jc.84.11.4006

English, P., & Williams, G. (2001). Type 2 diabetes. London: Martin Dunitz.

Fox, C., Kilvert, A., & Sönksen, P. (2007). Type 2 diabetes. London: Class Pub.

Goldstein, B., & Mueller-Wieland, D. (2013). Type 2 Diabetes. Hoboken: Taylor and Francis.

High blood pressure and diabetes. (2009). Insulin, 4(2), 129. doi:10.1016/s1557-0843(09)80024-  9

Knochenhauer, E. (1998). Prevalence of the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Unselected Black       and White Women of the Southeastern United States: A Prospective Study. Journal Of          Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 83(9), 3078-3082. doi:10.1210/jc.83.9.3078

Mantzoros, C. (2006). Obesity and diabetes. Totowa, N.J.: Humana Press.

Obesity.org,. (2015). Obesity.org – your-weight-and-diabetes. Retrieved 26 March 2015, from             http://www.obesity.org/resources-for/your-weight-and-diabetes.htm

Robitaille, J., & Grant, A. (2008). The genetics of gestational diabetes mellitus: evidence for         relationship with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Genet Med, 10(4), 240-250.    doi:10.1097/gim.0b013e31816b8710

Who.int,. (2015). WHO | Diabetes. Retrieved 26 March 2015, from             http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs312/en/