Joshua Olson
Hour 6
Final Project Paper
Adult-onset (type 2) Diabetes
Definition
Type two diabetes is the most common type of diabetes. With type two the body is unable to either produce insulin or the cells ignore it. Insulin is necessary for the body to use glucose for energy. Glucose is the energy our cells need to function and it comes from the food we eat. Over time, high blood glucose damages nerves and blood vessels, leading to complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, dental disease, and amputations.
Statistics
In 2011 25.8 million Americans had diabetes, that’s 8.3% of the U.S. population (almost 1 in every 10 adults). 1 out of 4 of our seniors have been diagnosed with diabetes. It’s predicted that 79 million Americans are at risk of getting diabetes. 95% of all diabetes diagnoses are type two, which means that it really could’ve been prevented. In 2007 diabetes was the cause of 71,382 deaths and was a factor in 160,022 deaths, which means that diabetes has contributed to 231,404 deaths in the United States. The American population has paid over $245 billion for diabetes. The average medical expenses for somebody with diabetes is 2.3 times higher than somebody without it.
Symptoms
Some people who are at risk of diabetes experience few or no symptoms. This is why many American’s don’t know that they’re at risk. One of the symptoms is excessive urination and thirst. The kidneys try to get rid of the extra glucose in the blood so it releases it through pee. Another symptom is rapid weight loss and increased hunger because the body isn’t getting enough glucose so it thinks it’s starving and starts breaking down protein from the muscles. Fatigue is another symptom because your body doesn’t get enough glucose or energy. Blurry vision is a result of high blood sugar levels. When glucose in the blood is high, it changes the shape of the lens and the eye. Tingling and numbness in the hands and feet are signs that nerves...