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Diabetes type 2 and how it Arises


What is Diabetes ?
Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder that occurs when your body is unable to properly
process glucose, a type of sugar that is the primary source of energy for your cells. Glucose
comes from the food you eat and is transported throughout your body via the bloodstream.
Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, helps regulate the amount of glucose in your
blood by signaling your cells to take in glucose from the bloodstream for energy or to store it
for later use.

In diabetes, the body either does not produce enough insulin (type 1 diabetes) or cannot
effectively use the insulin it produces (type 2 diabetes). As a result, glucose builds up in the
bloodstream instead of being used by the body's cells, leading to high blood sugar levels.
Over time, high blood sugar levels can cause damage to various organs and systems in the
body, leading to complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, nerve damage,
and eye problems.
Some of the main symptoms of diabetes are shown in the figure
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What are the types of Diabetes?

There are several types of diabetes, including:

1. Type 1 diabetes: This type of diabetes is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system
mistakenly attacks and destroys the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. People with
type 1 diabetes require daily insulin injections or the use of an insulin pump to manage their
blood sugar levels.

2. Type 2 diabetes: This type of diabetes occurs when the body becomes resistant to the effects
of insulin or when the pancreas is not able to produce enough insulin to meet the body's
needs. Type 2 diabetes is often managed with lifestyle changes such as exercise and a healthy
diet, along with medications and/or insulin therapy as needed.

3. Gestational diabetes: This type of diabetes occurs during pregnancy and usually goes away
after the baby is born. However, women who develop gestational diabetes are at higher risk
of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.

4. Other types of diabetes: There are other, less common types of diabetes, such as monogenic
diabetes (caused by a single gene mutation), cystic fibrosis-related diabetes, and drug-induced
diabetes.
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Now lets discuss about diabetes type 2


Diabetes type 2
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder that occurs when the
body is unable to use insulin effectively or does not produce enough
insulin to meet the body's needs. Insulin is a hormone produced by
the pancreas that helps regulate blood sugar levels by allowing
glucose to enter cells to be used for energy.

In type 2 diabetes, the body becomes resistant to the effects of


insulin, which means that glucose is unable to enter cells and instead
accumulates in the bloodstream, leading to high blood sugar levels.
Over time, high blood sugar levels can damage organs and tissues in
the body, leading to a range of complications, including heart disease,
stroke, kidney disease, and nerve damage.
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Symptoms of diabetes type 2


Symptoms of type 2 diabetes can include frequent urination,
increased thirst, fatigue, blurred vision, slow healing of cuts and
bruises, and tingling or numbness in the hands or feet. However,
some people with type 2 diabetes may not experience any symptoms,
especially in the early stages of the disease.
Risks factors
Risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes include genetics, being
overweight or obese, having a sedentary lifestyle, having high blood
pressure or high cholesterol, and being over the age of 45. People
with a family history of diabetes, particularly in first-degree relatives,
are also at higher risk of developing the condition.
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Complications and adverse effects


Complications of type 2 diabetes can include cardiovascular disease,
nerve damage (neuropathy), kidney damage (nephropathy), eye
damage (retinopathy), foot damage, hearing impairment, and skin
condition
How diabetes type 2 arises
Type 2 diabetes arises when the body becomes resistant to the effects
of insulin or when the pancreas is not able to produce enough insulin
to meet the body's needs. Insulin is a hormone produced by the
Exam preparation notes

pancreas that helps regulate blood sugar levels by allowing glucose to


enter cells to be used for energy.
When food is consumed, it is broken down into glucose and absorbed
into the bloodstream. In response, the pancreas releases insulin to
help transport the glucose from the bloodstream into cells throughout
the body. In type 2 diabetes, however, the cells become resistant to
the effects of insulin, meaning that they are less able to respond to
insulin and take in glucose from the bloodstream. This leads to a
buildup of glucose in the bloodstream, known as hyperglycemia.
Over time, the pancreas may become less able to produce insulin,
exacerbating the problem. This can result in a vicious cycle, as high
blood sugar levels can further impair insulin production, leading to
even higher blood sugar levels.
Risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes include genetics, being
overweight or obese, having a sedentary lifestyle, having high blood
pressure or high cholesterol, and being over the age of 45. People
with a family history of diabetes, particularly in first-degree relatives,
are also at higher risk of developing the condition.
The development of type 2 diabetes is a complex process that
involves a combination of genetic and environmental factors. In
addition to the risk factors mentioned above, other factors that may
contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes include
inflammation, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction. These
factors can impair the function of insulin-producing cells in the
pancreas and contribute to insulin resistance in other tissues
throughout the body.
Ultimately, the development of type 2 diabetes is a multifactorial
process that involves a combination of genetic and environmental
Exam preparation notes

factors. By understanding the underlying mechanisms that contribute


to the development of the disease, researchers and healthcare
providers can work to develop more effective treatments and
preventative measures.
Biochemical consequences of Diabetes type 2
Type 2 diabetes can lead to a range of biochemical consequences due
to chronic hyperglycemia (high blood sugar levels) and impaired
insulin signaling. Some of the most significant biochemical
consequences of type 2 diabetes include:
1. Glycation: High blood sugar levels can cause glucose molecules
to attach to proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids in a process called
glycation. This can alter the structure and function of these
molecules, leading to impaired cell function and tissue damage.
2. Oxidative stress: Chronic hyperglycemia can also lead to
oxidative stress, a process in which reactive oxygen species
(ROS) are produced and damage cellular components such as
lipids, proteins, and DNA. This can contribute to tissue damage
and inflammation.
3. Lipid metabolism: Insulin resistance can lead to alterations in
lipid metabolism, including increased levels of triglycerides and
decreased levels of HDL (the "good" cholesterol). These changes
can contribute to the development of atherosclerosis and
cardiovascular disease.
4. Advanced glycation end-products (AGEs): AGEs are formed
through the reaction of sugars with proteins or lipids, and can
accumulate in tissues over time. This can contribute to tissue
damage and inflammation, and has been implicated in the
development of diabetic complications such as nephropathy
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(kidney disease), retinopathy (eye disease), and neuropathy


(nerve damage).
5. Inflammation: Chronic hyperglycemia and oxidative stress can
lead to low-grade inflammation throughout the body, which can
contribute to the development of insulin resistance and other
complications of diabetes.
6. Impaired insulin signaling: Insulin resistance and impaired
insulin production can lead to a range of biochemical
consequences, including impaired glucose uptake by cells,
altered lipid metabolism, and impaired signaling pathways in
various tissues throughout the body.
These biochemical consequences of type 2 diabetes can contribute to
a range of complications, including cardiovascular disease,
neuropathy, retinopathy, nephropathy, and increased susceptibility to
infection. Understanding the underlying mechanisms that contribute
to these biochemical changes is important for the development of
new therapies and preventative measures for type 2 diabetes and its
complications.
Exam preparation notes

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