Diabetes is a Metabolic Disorder - Case Study Example

Type II diabetes makes up 90-95% of diabetes cases. It is caused by a combination of lifestyle and genetic factors. Predisposing factors of this disease include old age, obesity, physical unfitness, genetic factors and sometimes previous gestation diabetes. Obesity is considered to be the primary cause of type II diabetes, with increased cases among children and the youth. Factors such as diet and obesity can be controlled while others like increasing age, gender, and genetics are not. Lack of sleep has also been linked to type II diabetes, believed to have an effect on metabolism.

High sugar and starchy foods and uptake of saturated fats are associated with an increased risk. Genetically there is an increased risk of offspring becoming diabetic if parents were diabetic. The abnormal genes can be passed to offspring. The main symptoms of the disease are excess thirst, constant hunger, and frequent urination. Other symptoms include weight loss, blurred vision and slow healing of wounds. Various complications have been associated with type II Diabetes. Diabetes II has been associated with heart disease and stroke, increasing chances by almost twice.

Diabetic people are more likely to suffer them at an earlier age than other people. High glucose levels in the blood increase the deposition of fats and cholesterol in blood vessels narrowing them, affecting blood flow and increasing blood pressure. It has also been related to neural disorders. This is when nerve cells are damaged leading to lack of sensation. Most diabetic patients have some form of nerve problem, which can occur in any organ. It has been associated with abnormal cholesterol levels in the blood, and the poor absorption of insulin.

When blood vessels narrow due to fat deposition, the nerve cells suffer blood supply and may be damaged. Symptoms of nerve damage include numbness, tingling or muscle wasting.