Type 2 Diabetes: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
This paper provides an introductory overview of diabetes mellitus, distinguishing among Type 1, Type 2, and gestational diabetes before focusing in depth on Type 2. It explains the physiological mechanism by which damaged insulin receptors prevent glucose uptake, describes the resulting signs and symptoms—including increased thirst, fatigue, and blurred vision—and outlines available treatment options ranging from insulin therapy to lifestyle modification. The paper also identifies ethnic minority groups and the elderly as populations at elevated risk, connecting cultural dietary patterns and age-related physiological decline to higher rates of Type 2 diabetes onset.
- Introduction to Diabetes Mellitus: Defines three diabetes types and their mechanisms
- Physiology of Type 2 Diabetes: Explains insulin receptor failure and glucose buildup
- Signs and Symptoms: Describes thirst, fatigue, and other clinical signs
- Treatment and Prevention: Covers insulin therapy and lifestyle change strategies
- At-Risk Populations: Identifies ethnic groups and elderly as high-risk
✍️ How to write this paper — guide, tools & examples ▾
What makes this paper effective
- The paper builds logically from broad classification (all three diabetes types) to a focused analysis of Type 2, giving readers necessary context before diving into detail.
- Physiological mechanisms—such as how damaged insulin receptors prevent glucose uptake and how osmolarity changes cause increased thirst and urination—are explained in accessible language without sacrificing accuracy.
- The discussion of at-risk populations connects biology to social and cultural context, showing an awareness of health disparities beyond pure physiology.
Key academic technique demonstrated
The paper consistently uses cause-and-effect reasoning to trace a chain from cellular malfunction to whole-body symptoms and then to treatment rationale. Each claim is grounded in a cited source, demonstrating how introductory science writing integrates textbook and professional-organization references to support mechanistic explanations.
Structure breakdown
The paper opens with a definitional introduction covering all three diabetes types, then narrows to Type 2's cellular physiology, moves through clinical signs and symptoms, addresses treatment and prevention strategies, and closes by identifying vulnerable demographic groups. This funnel structure—broad to specific, mechanism to application—is well-suited to health science writing at the introductory undergraduate level.
Introduction to Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetes mellitus is a disease that results from the body's cells' inability to absorb glucose once it has entered the body (American Diabetes Association, 2013). There are multiple types of diabetes: Type 1, Type 2, and gestational diabetes. Although the overarching feature of each type is the build-up of glucose in the blood, the way each type affects the body differs significantly.
Type 1 diabetes was once known as juvenile diabetes because it was thought to be an autoimmune disorder occurring only in children (American Diabetes Association, 2013). However, Type 1 diabetes can also develop in adults. This type is characterized as insulin-dependent because it requires that the individual inject multiple doses of insulin in order for glucose to be absorbed by the cells. With Type 1, the beta cells in the pancreas have become dysfunctional and therefore do not produce the insulin an individual needs to absorb glucose once it enters the body; this is a lifelong condition (Martini, Nath, & Bartholomew, 2011).
Type 2 diabetes is known as non-insulin-dependent because the beta cells are still producing insulin, but the problem lies in the cells' ability to respond to it—they do not know how to absorb it (American Diabetes Association, 2013). This type of diabetes is heavily correlated with diet and can therefore be reversed with proper nutrition and exercise. Gestational diabetes develops during a woman's pregnancy. As hormones fluctuate during pregnancy, insulin receptors can begin to malfunction (Martini, Nath, & Bartholomew, 2011). A shift in nutrition and diet can produce the same result. However, with proper diet and after giving birth, gestational diabetes typically resolves on its own (American Diabetes Association, 2013).
Physiology of Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes stems from the cell's inability to take in the insulin secreted by the beta cells in the pancreas (Martini, Nath, & Bartholomew, 2011). With every meal, an individual consumes carbohydrates and sugars that are converted into glucose and transported through the bloodstream. These glucose molecules are used by the body's cells to complete the glycolysis step in cellular respiration and metabolism, providing the body with quick energy (Martini, Nath, & Bartholomew, 2011). It is through insulin receptors that glucose is able to enter the cell and make this process possible.
In Type 2 diabetes, these insulin receptors are damaged, and therefore the glucose circulating in the bloodstream cannot enter the cells (Martini, Nath, & Bartholomew, 2011). This damage is caused by an improper diet and lack of exercise. As the receptors stop functioning, glucose accumulates in the blood and begins to cause damage throughout the body.
Signs and Symptoms
As the body becomes overwhelmed with glucose, signs and symptoms begin to appear. These include an increase in thirst and urination, caused by the rise in blood osmolarity resulting from excess glucose (American Diabetes Association, 2013). As blood flows through the body, it draws fluid from the surrounding tissues; more fluid therefore enters the kidneys during filtration, leading to increased urination. Because the body is losing so much fluid, dry mouth and heightened thirst follow (Martini, Nath, & Bartholomew, 2011). Other symptoms include fatigue, blurred vision, and unexplained weight loss (American Diabetes Association, 2013). These symptoms signal that the body's cells are not receiving the glucose they need to function properly and sustain daily energy demands.
References
American Diabetes Association. (2013). Diabetes basics. Retrieved from http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/?loc=GlobalNavDB
Martini, F. H., Nath, J. L., & Bartholomew, E. F. (2011). Fundamentals of anatomy & physiology (9th ed.). Pearson.
Create your account
Always verify citation format against your institution’s current style guide requirements.