This document discusses type 2 diabetes. It notes that approximately 25.8 million Americans have diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is characterized by impaired beta cells and tissue that are not sensitive to insulin. Those at higher risk include older individuals, those with high blood pressure or cholesterol, family history of diabetes, and certain ethnicities. Signs of pre-diabetes include blurred vision and frequent urination. Ways to reduce risk include exercising, eating a low-carb diet high in proteins and fiber, not smoking, and maintaining regular eating habits. Left untreated, diabetes can negatively impact the body by causing erectile dysfunction and hypoglycemic episodes.

1. DIABETES
Amy Raisor: The Pathology of Type II Diabetes

2. WHAT IS DIABETES/STATISTICS
This is a presentation on type II diabetes. Mellitus is another name for diabetes,
however in this presentation I will refer to the disease as diabetes. Diabetes is
characterized by impaired beta cells and tissue that are not sensitive to insulin.
Diabetes is intensified by obesity and often treatable by exercise and diet.
Diabetes is an epidemic. According to the American Diabetes Association there
are approximately 25.8 million children and adults who have diabetes in the
United States. 1
The good new is that in most cases type II diabetes can be prevented by a
healthy lifestyle habits. If you don’t think that maintaining good health is worth
your time let’s take a look at the negative affects that diabetes can have on the
body.
1 Diabetes Statistics, “Data from the 2011 National Diabetes Fact
Sheet.”http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/diabetes-statistics/
(assessed April 17, 2013).

3. WHO IS AT HIGHER RISK OF TYPE II DIABETES
The following are the risk factors:3
 If your older your likely to be at higher risk. This is because as people get older they tend to loose
muscle mass, are less active, and they gain weight
 If you have high blood pressure measuring 140 over 90 millimeters
 If you have to little (less than 35 mg) of the good cholesterol level called high-density lipoprotein,
HDL
 If your triglyceride levels are above 250 mg. (Triglycerides is fat that is carried in the blood)
 If you’ve had a parent or sibling with the disease
 If your black, Hispanic, Asian, or American Indian
 If you’ve had gestational diabetes when you were pregnant
 If you’re a woman and you have polycystic ovary syndrome, which is associated with irregular
menstrual periods, excessive obesity and hair growth
3 “Diabetes awareness: Assess your risk of diabetes.” http://mayoclinic.com
(assessed April 28, 2013).

4. THE SIGNS OF PRE-DIABETES
Pre-diabetes can usually be prevented by healthy lifestyle habits. If you
notice anyone with the following symptoms you can suggest a checkup.
Diabetes.org list the common signs of pre-diabetes: blurred vision,
extreme fatigue, frequent infections, cuts and bruises that heal longer
than usual, tingling/numbness in feet and hands, frequent urination, and
repeated gum, skin, or bladder infections.2
2 “Diabetes Basics: Prediabetes FAQs.” http://www.diabetes.org/ (accessed
January 28, 2013).

5. WAYS IN WHICH TO REDUCE CHANCES OF
TYPE II DIABETES:
According to medicinenet.com the following are ways in which to reduce chances
of type II diabetes:
Exercise – obesity and inactive lifestyle are big risk factors for diabetes. Health
officials suggest to reduce fat in the abdomen area.
Murry and Lyon assert that it’s advantageous to loose fat in the abdomen
because fat cells in the abdomen have a higher susceptibility to store fat and
reduce the secretion of adiponectin which in effect helps improves insulin
sensitivity in the body. 6
6 Murry and Lyon. How to Prevent and Treat Diabetes with Natural Medicine, 63.

6. WAYS IN WHICH TO REDUCE CHANCES OF
TYPE II DIABETES:
Dieting – also reduces the chances of type II diabetes.
Protein, in particular low carb proteins are good for the body because they help
control blood sugar level and appetite, but also, protein helps preserve muscles,
and since muscles are good at burning fat, sugar, and carbs we want to build
muscles. The best types of protein to eat are “…fish and lean cuts of chicken,
turkey, and grass-fed or game meats….”7
7 Challem. Stop Prediabetes Now. 78-82.

7. WAYS IN WHICH TO REDUCE CHANCES OF
TYPE II DIABETES:
In addition high fiber non-starchy vegetables and fruits should be a part of a
healthy diet, these include
Vegetables – Vegetables such as , “dark lettuces, tomatoes, cucumbers,
avocadoes, spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, asparagus, mushrooms, radishes, bell
peppers, snow peas (with edible pods), zucchini, squash, mustard greens,
endive, collard greens, and chicory,”
Fruits - Fruits include “raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, strawberries,
apples, kiwifruit, and pomegranate seeds.”8
8 Challem. Stop Prediabetes Now. 78-82.

8. WAYS IN WHICH TO REDUCE CHANCES OF
TYPE II DIABETES:
Smoking - mayo clinic stresses the fact that smoking increases the risk of
developing type II diabetes. If you smoke consider quitting.
Eating Regularly - Eating at regular times can also reduce type II diabetes
(Mayo Clinic, 2013).
High Blood Pressure/Cholesterol - If you have high blood pressure or high
cholesterol treat it. Mayoclinic.org recommends the following, “Track the salt in
your diet, read food labels, choose low-sodium foods and beverages, cut back
on processed foods such as “potato chips, frozen dinners, bacon and processed
lunch meats which are high in sodium.” Also, use herbs or spices instead of salt
to “add more flavor to your foods.” 9
9 “To decrease sodium in your diet, consider these tips.”
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/high-blood-pressure/HI00027 (assessed May 1, 2013)

9. NEGATIVE AFFECTS ON THE BODY
Erectile dysfunction – One negative effect of diabetes is erectile dysfunction.
Erectile dysfunction is associated with diabetes because diabetics are often
times associated with obesity. In fact “obese men have about twice the risk of
having erectile dysfunction as men who are of normal weight.” 4
In addition, hypoglycemia is another characteristic of diabetes. Hypoglycemia is
defined as low blood sugar levels and those who are on insulin treatment plans
who have hypoglycemia can be affected in the following ways: slurring of words,
confusion, double vision, abnormal behavior, headaches, and unconsciousness.
5
4 Jack, Challem. Stop Prediabetes Now. (New Jersey: John Wiley & Son, 2007), 230.
5 “The effects of diabetes.” http://www.drinkaware.co.uk (assessed April 28, 2013).

10. CONCLUSION
Altogether I’ve talked about the 28.5 million people who have diabetes, I’ve
talked about the negative effects that diabetes can have on the body, including
erectile dysfunction and the long list of problems that hyperglycemia causes, but
also, I’ve talked about how to prevent diabetes by eating low carb protein foods,
high fiber foods, and I emphasized non-smoking and a habit of exercise.
This presentation was developed to help individual understand diabetes and the
ways in which they can possibly prevent it.