Type 2 Diabetes Research Paper

Words: 490
Pages: 2

Diabetes is a fairly common disease affecting around 3 million people in the UK alone, and has been a recognised condition for over 3000 years. Many people who actually have diabetes do not know about it, and it goes undiagnosed. Diabetes is when the body cannot properly utilise glucose within the body, or when there is a lack of glucose available.

The majority of diabetes sufferers have what is called type II diabetes, which is known as non-insulin dependent diabetes or maturity-onset diabetes. Type I diabetes used to be known as insulin-dependent diabetes.

What is the difference between the two?

With type I diabetes, the body is unable to produce any insulin at all, and this normally starts in childhood or adulthood. Type II diabetes is
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The body should ordinarily be able to convert glucose, which can come from sweet foods like sweets and cakes or starchy foods, when they are digested. Insulin is created by the pancreas, which regulates the amount of glucose in the blood. Insulin in the body allows glucose from the blood to be converted into energy and any surplus to be stored. It is this biological function that either does not work, or does not work well enough, in diabetics.

When consuming a meal, glucose levels in the blood rise and triggers the release of insulin. Insulin is normally manufactured in the pancreas which is a small gland near the stomach. This gland is often mistaken for being 2 glands because it creates insulin as well as producing the enzymes which are vital for food digestion. The pancreas creates lipase which can help to digest fat and amylase, which helps to digest starchy foods.

Diabetes that is not controlled may cause long-term problems. Excessive glucose in the blood can damage blood vessels, causing heart disease, kidney disease, strokes, impotence and nerve damage.

It is possible to reduce the effects of diabetes by following suitable medical advice. This involves checking glucose levels and attending