Jane's English Blog

Type 2 Diabetes- Jane Ferry

What is Type 2 Diabetes?

Over 37 million people in the United States live with diabetes and 90-95% of those people have Type 2. Type 2 diabetes is one of the three types of diabetes you can have and the most common of the three. What exactly is type 2 diabetes and what causes it? Type 2 diabetes is when the body has trouble controlling its blood sugar levels, usually too high, and using it for energy. “Healthy blood sugar (glucose) levels are 70 to 99 milligrams per deciliter. If you have undiagnosed Type 2 diabetes, your levels are typically 126 milligrams per deciliter or higher” (clevelandclinic.org). It is also developed because your pancreas doesn’t make the right amount of insulin and doesn’t use the insulin it has properly. It is a chronic disease with no known cure. There are many different factors that can lead to the development of Type 2 diabetes. One of the main ways is your diet and physical inactivity. Other factors include hormonal disorders, stress, and lack of sleep. It can also be within your genetics. “Your lifetime risk of developing Type 2 is 40% if you have one biological parent with Type 2 diabetes and 70% if both of your biological parents have it” (clevelandclinic.org). However, you are more at risk for Type 2 diabetes if you are overweight and have a high in fat diet. Type 2 diabetes has reached alarming levels throughout the world, with poor nutrition emerging as a significant contributing factor. 

BINGE EATING/OVEREATING

            Binge-eating and/or overeating is considered a disorder that a person can develop which can lead to obesity and diabetes. An eating disorder known as binge eating is defined by frequent episodes of eating a lot of food in a short amount of time while feeling out of control of one’s eating habits (mayoclinic.org). Eating more food than the body requires to maintain energy expenditure and physical processes is referred to as overeating (mayoclinic.org). “New research from Mount Sinai School of Medicine sheds light on how overeating can cause a malfunction in brain insulin signaling, and lead to obesity and diabetes” (Mount Sinai Medical Center, 2012). Christopher Buettner, a doctor who specializes in Endocrinology, diabetes, and bone disease, discovered that when a person overeats, they “impair the ability of brain insulin to suppress the breakdown of fat in adipose tissue” (Mount Sinai Medical Center, 2012).  In earlier studies, Dr. Buettner’s group found that brain insulin inhibits lipolysis, the breakdown of triglycerides, and the release of fatty acids from fat tissue. Unchecked lipolysis raises fatty acid levels, which can cause and lead to type 2 diabetes and obesity. The Endocrine system, which is comprised of many different glands including the thyroid and adrenal and the pancreas, is affected by the extra pounds that come with binge eating and overeating and is also lead to insulin resistance. 

MENTAL HEALTH

Those who suffer with their mental health or have psychological moods like anxiety and depression may be led to binge eating as a source of temporary relief (biopsychosocial medicine). A common coping mechanism for unpleasant feelings like stress, worry, despair, loneliness, or boredom is food. Eating can temporarily ease difficult emotions or serve as a diversion from them, which can cause overeating even when there isn’t a genuine hunger. It is known to be more common with those who have certain psychological factors along with their diabetes (Inada S, 2019). 

FIXING YOUR DIET

Significant lifestyle changes are necessary after receiving a type 2 diabetes diagnosis, in order to properly manage the illness and lower the risk of complications. One of them is your diet. Certain diets that follow binge eating and/or chronic overeating, high in fat and processed foods, can be the most challenging aspect of managing type 2 diabetes. It is challenging for diabetics to break their normal diets and change to more healthy and substantial foods. Those who have Type 2 diabetes are instructed to adjust their diets, so they aren’t as likely to develop other diseases or complications. Maintaining a balanced diet is essential for controlling blood sugar levels. The typical diet of a diabetic consists of lots of vegetables, fewer sugary and granny foods, and adding more whole foods rather than processed foods into their diets. Monitoring the amount of carbohydrates in your diet and balancing them out, and it is important that the fats eaten, in their diet, are healthy fats and not saturated (cdc.org). 

ADDING EXERCISE

Not only is it important to adjust and fix your diet, but exercising is also another key factor in reducing further complications that may come along with diabetes. It also helps with just maintaining the disease. When introducing more physical activity into your everyday life, your body is able to control blood glucose levels, positively affect lipids, blood pressure, certain cardiovascular events, mortality, and overall quality of life (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov). The majority of physical activity benefits for managing diabetes are derived from both acute and long-term increases in insulin action, which can be achieved through resistance and aerobic training (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov). A diabetic doesn’t have to work out five hours a day but going for a walk or a run a few days a week and maybe doing some strength training will make a significant difference. The ability to lose weight, especially if you are classified as obese, will also help in the long term making you more comfortable and healthier. 

LONG-TERM COMPLICATIONS

When Type 2 diabetes is not well-managed it can lead to even more long-term health complications and diseases. One of the main complications is cardiovascular problems. Due to the high blood sugar levels, that come with Type 2 diabetes, they can damage blood vessels and nerves that control the heart and blood vessels, leading to atherosclerosis, which is the hardening and narrowing of the arteries (cdc.org). Heart disease may eventually result from these damages. Compared to people without diabetes, those with diabetes typically have heart disease at an earlier age. Diabetes raises the risk of peripheral artery disease, heart attack, stroke, and coronary artery disease, among other cardiovascular issues. Compared to those without diabetes, those with diabetes have a nearly twofold increased risk of heart disease or stroke.

CASE STUDY

A study was performed between 2007-2017 to see the prevalence of cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes in adults. There were 57 articles and 4,549,481 people with Type 2 diabetes analyzed in this study. 52% of these people were male, 47% were classified as obese. “CVD affected 32.2% overall (53 studies, N = 4,289,140); 29.1% had atherosclerosis (4 studies, N = 1153), 21.2% had coronary heart disease (42 articles, N = 3,833,200), 14.9% heart failure (14 studies, N = 601,154), 14.6% angina (4 studies, N = 354,743), 10.0% myocardial infarction (13 studies, N = 3,518,833) and 7.6% stroke (39 studies, N = 3,901,505). CVD was the cause of death in 9.9% of T2DM patients” (cardiab.biomedcentral.com). With all of these findings, it was concluded that cardiovascular disease (CVD) affects 32.2% of those with Type 2 diabetes and is a huge cause of death among those who have Type 2 diabetes. 

HEART ISSUES

Some of the main cardiovascular problems that could arise without proper taking care of your body with Type 2 diabetes are heart attack, heart failure, and stroke. Diabetes increases the likelihood of atherosclerosis and makes plaque accumulation in the coronary arteries more vulnerable, putting diabetics at risk for a heart attack (sciencedaily.com). In comparison to people without diabetes, heart attacks in diabetics can also be more severe and have a greater death rate. Diabetes can also raise the risk of heart failure, a disorder in which the heart’s ability to pump blood to meet the body’s demands is compromised. Over time, persistently high blood sugar levels can cause damage to the heart muscle, which can result in heart failure and diminished function. Stroke is another main concern and a condition in which blood flow to the brain is disturbed due to obstruction or bleeding in the blood arteries. Diabetes increases the risk of stroke considerably. 

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

Poor nutrition, which can lead to diabetes, is a great factor in developing these cardiovascular problems. Hypertension/high blood pressure can result from diets low in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and heavy in processed foods, saturated fats, and sodium. While a high consumption of saturated fats can result in arterial stiffness and dysfunction, which can cause hypertension, a high intake of sodium can produce fluid retention and raise blood pressure (mayoclinic.org). High blood pressure increases the risk of cardiovascular disorders like heart attack, stroke, and heart failure by placing stress on the heart and blood vessels. Other causes of poor nutrition (insulin resistance and diabetes) can lead to the development of cardiovascular problems. Insulin resistance, a condition in which cells lose their sensitivity to insulin, and fast rises in blood sugar levels can result from diets heavy in added sugars and refined carbs. Diabetes and insulin resistance increase the risk of cardiovascular disease by causing endothelial dysfunction (impaired blood vessel function), oxidative stress, inflammation, and dyslipidemia (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov).

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF

Type 2 diabetes is not a disease you develop overnight. It is the result of years of poor nutrition and overeating. Some may not notice the symptoms right away, excessive hunger, thirst, tiredness, and frequent urination, which can cause the diabetes to get worse. Children are able to get type 2 diabetes as well, but it is more common in middle-aged adults. It is noteworthy that although inadequate nutrition poses a substantial risk for type 2 diabetes, other factors such as age, ethnicity, genetics, and others also contribute to the disease’s development. On the other hand, a balanced diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, and healthy fats, along with frequent exercise, can dramatically lower the chance of Type 2 diabetes and enhance general health and well-being.

WORKS CITED

  1. “Binge-Eating Disorder – Symptoms and Causes.” Mayo Clinic, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/binge-eating-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20353627. Accessed 22 Mar. 2024.
  2. CDC. “Diabetes and Your Heart.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 20 June 2022, https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/library/features/diabetes-and-heart.html.
  3. —. “Meal Planning.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 19 Apr. 2023, https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/managing/eat-well/meal-plan-method.html.
  4. “Diabetes and Hypertension – Diabetes Resource Center | NewYork-Prebsyterian.” NewYork-Presbyterian, https://www.nyp.org/diabetes-and-endocrinology/diabetes-resource-center/diabetes-and-hypertension. Accessed 22 Mar. 2024.
  5. “Diabetes, Heart Disease, & Stroke – NIDDK.” National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/preventing-problems/heart-disease-stroke. Accessed 22 Mar. 2024.
  6. Einarson, Thomas R., et al. “Prevalence of Cardiovascular Disease in Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Literature Review of Scientific Evidence from across the World in 2007–2017.” Cardiovascular Diabetology, vol. 17, no. 1, June 2018, p. 83. BioMed Central, https://doi.org/10.1186/s12933-018-0728-6.
  7. “High Blood Pressure (Hypertension): Controlling This Common Health Problem-High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) – Symptoms & Causes.” Mayo Clinic, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/symptoms-causes/syc-20373410. Accessed 26 Mar. 2024.
  8. “How Diabetes Drives Atherosclerosis.” ScienceDaily, https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080313124430.htm. Accessed 26 Mar. 2024.
  9. Inada, Shuji, et al. “Preceding Psychological Factors and Calorie Intake in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: Investigation by Ecological Momentary Assessment.” Biopsychosocial Medicine, vol. 13, Sept. 2019, p. 20. PubMed Central, https://doi.org/10.1186/s13030-019-0161-4.
  10. Kosmas, Constantine E., et al. “Insulin Resistance and Cardiovascular Disease.” The Journal of International Medical Research, vol. 51, no. 3, Mar. 2023, p. 03000605231164548. PubMed Central, https://doi.org/10.1177/03000605231164548.
  11. “Overeating Impairs Brain Insulin Function, a Mechanism That Can Lead to Diabetes and Obesity.” ScienceDaily, https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/10/121017153911.htm. Accessed 22 Mar. 2024.
  12. The Relationship Between Anxiety, Depression, and Overeating. https://withinhealth.com/learn/articles/the-relationship-between-anxiety-depression-and-overeating. Accessed 22 Mar. 2024.
  13. “Type 2 Diabetes.” Cleveland Clinic, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21501-type-2-diabetes. Accessed 22 Mar. 2024.

14. “Type 2 Diabetes Symptoms.” Diabetes UK, https://www.diabetes.org.uk/diabetes-the-basics/types-of-diabetes/type-2/symptoms. Accessed 22 Mar. 2024.

https://janeferry28.com: Type 2 Diabetes- Jane Ferry

Read more: Type 2 Diabetes- Jane Ferry