INTRODUCTION

Diabetes mellitus often referred to simply as diabetes—is a condition in which the body
does not produce enough, or properly respond to, insulin, a hormone produced in the pancreas.
Insulin enables cells to absorb glucose in order to turn it into energy.

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, formerly called Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus

(NIDDM), is a group of disorders characterized by hyperglycemia and associated with
microvascular (ie, retinal, renal, possibly neuropathic), macrovascular (ie, coronary, peripheral
vascular), and neuropathic (ie, autonomic, peripheral) complications. Diabetes happens when
one of the following occurs: (1) when the pancreas does not produce any insulin, (2) when the
pancreas produces very little insulin, and (3) when the body does not respond appropriately to
insulin, a condition called "insulin resistance." Insulin-resistance Type 2 Diabetes produce
insulin; however, the insulin pancreas secretes is either not enough or the body is unable to
recognize the insulin and use it properly. Unlike patients with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, patients
with Type 2 are not absolutely dependent upon insulin for life, even though many of them are
ultimately treated with insulin.

In Year 2000, according to the World Health Organization, at least 171 million people
worldwide suffer from diabetes, or 2.8% of the population, estimated that by the year 2030, this
number will almost double. Diabetes Mellitus occurs throughout the world, but is more
common (especially Type 2) in the more developed countries. The greatest increase in
prevalence is, however, expected to occur in Asia and Africa, where most patients will probably
be found by 2030. About 90 to 95 percent of people with diabetes have type 2 and about 80
percent of people with type 2 diabetes are overweight. Type 2 Diabetes is increasingly being
diagnosed in children and adolescents. (Rathmann, W., & Giani, G. (2014). Global Prevalence
of Diabetes: Estimates for the Year 2014 and Projections for 2030)

While, not everyone with Type 2 Diabetes is overweight; obesity and lack of physical
activity are two of the most common causes of this form of Diabetes. However, the latest
medical findings show that the chances of getting Type 2 Diabetes increases if you have more
of the following risk factors, (1) family history of diabetes, (2) age over 45 years old, (3) race
or ethnic background: Hispanics, Blacks, Native Americans and Asians, (4) being overweight,
(5) hypertension, (6) dyslipidemia, (7) history of gestational diabetes, (8) history of polycystic
ovary disease, and (9) physical inactivity.

Simple lifestyle measures have been shown to be effective in preventing or delaying the
onset of type 2 diabetes. People should achieve and maintain healthy body weight; be physically
active – at least 30 minutes of regular, moderate-intensity activity on most days; eat a healthy
diet, avoiding sugar and saturated fats intake; and avoid tobacco use – smoking increases the
risk of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
Early diagnosis can be accomplished through relatively inexpensive testing of blood sugar.
Treatment of diabetes involves diet and physical activity along with lowering blood glucose
and the levels of other known risk factors that damage blood vessels. Tobacco use cessation is
also important to avoid complications.

As a post-graduate student of Master of Science in Nursing Degree, I believe that this

case will help me to more understand the in-depth information about Diabetes Type 2 most
especially at this point of life wherein prevalence of the said disease is increasing.