As discussed, diabetes is a very serious disease. In this section we examine the additional difficulties diabetics face. The purpose of this section is to give the classroom teacher the necessary background to motivate students to make lifestyle choices, which may keep them from getting sick.
Type 2 diabetics generally begin their disease in poor health, and then suffer serious long-term debilitating diseases. Diabetics have an elevated risk of kidney failure, heart attack, stroke, nerve damage, major circulatory problems, and blindness. Any diabetic that lives for long, thanks to life-saving insulin, is very likely to have additional substantial health problems.
People with Type 2 diabetes may be unaware of their progressing disease for years. They typically develop insulin resistance, and once diabetes is diagnosed, oral medications to stimulate the islet cells to produce more insulin may be given. These drugs are called Sulfonylureas and Meglitinides.
Thiazolidinediones (TZD) also helps diabetics use their own insulin properly. Other pills can slow down the absorption of sugar and starch (Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors). Glucophage drugs reduce the amount of sugar the liver releases. These are all possible medications to be given before a diabetic is given insulin injections.
If blood sugar levels cannot be managed by oral medications, insulin injections may be provided by syringes, insulin pens, or insulin pumps.
Diabetic nephropathy is the medical name for kidney disease. Almost half of all kidney failure in the United States is a result of diabetes. (6) With kidney failure, diabetics may need to spend up to 12 hours per week going through dialysis. This may be done in the hospital, or at home. Either way, it is a severe limitation.
Diabetes raises risk of heart attack. A diabetic has the heart attack risk profile of a person 15 years older. (7) The risk of stroke is two to four times higher for diabetics. (8)
Diabetics frequently suffer from peripheral neuropathy, the symptoms for which are tingling and decreased sensation in the feet. This can lead to sores on feet, as the diabetic does not sense they are wearing a poorly fitting shoe. Such minor injuries can lead to major problems such as in infections and amputations.
Diabetes can also cause damage to vascular blood vessels that affects blood flow and circulation of blood to the arms and legs. Poor blood supply can also lead to poor wound healing and ulcers, in later stages of the disease. Diabetics can also suffer from impotence.
Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in U.S.