Diabetes Mellitus Is a Disease Research Paper

As blood flows, it starts attracting the fluid from the tissues and therefore more fluid is entering the kidneys when filtering the blood, causing an increase in urination. And because the body is losing so much fluid, dry mouth and an increase in thirst are initiated (Martini, Nath, & Bartholomew, 2011). Other symptoms include fatigue, blurred vision, and sudden loss of weight (American Diabetes Association, 2013). These symptoms are a sign that the body's cells are not getting the glucose that they need to function properly and give the body the energy to conduct its daily functions.

Once an individual is diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, a series of treatment options are available. Type 2 diabetes does not entail the permanent lack of production of insulin, but it does reduce the amount of insulin receptors that are functional, therefore insulin injections are used as a form of treatment (American Diabetes Association, 2013). The influx of insulin allows for the glucose that has been building up to get absorbed by the cells and tissues in order to keep them viable. However, the best treatment available for type 2 diabetes is a change toward a healthier lifestyle. Changing what is eaten and providing the body with more exercise reverses type 2 diabetes (American Diabetes Association, 2013). It allows for the insulin receptors to continue to work and properly intake the necessary amounts of glucose from the bloodstream.Because obesity and being overweight is a cause of type 2 diabetes, the best treatment method is weight loss (American Diabetes Association, 2013). Losing the weight alone will not treat it, there needs to be a lifestyle change. This lifestyle change is the prevention techniques that others need to practice in order to avoid getting type 2 diabetes. By carefully choosing what to eat and regularly exercising, type 2 diabetes can be completely prevented (American Diabetes Association, 2013).

Some ethnic groups are at higher risk than other for getting type 2 diabetes. According to the American Diabetes Association "African-Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, and Asian-Americans, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders" (diabetes.org) are at a higher risk of getting type 2 diabetes. This has a lot to do with the diets that are traditionally associated with their respective cultures. Foods high in fat, sugar, and carbohydrates overwork the body and the insulin receptors get overwhelmed and weakened, therefore not absorbing the necessary glucose. These particular ethnic groups intake higher amounts of these foods as part of a cultural tradition, making it more difficult to reach out to these individuals and prevent the disease from developing. Another group that is at risk for developing type 2 diabetes is the elderly (American Diabetes Association, 2013). As the body ages all of the body systems start to weaken and slow down. Insulin production and functionality are no different. These.....