Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease that could be very dangerous if not treated right. If you or a relative have been recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, it is important to get to know as much about this disease as you can. Being well educated on type 2 diabetes will help you take better care of yourself or a family member and avoid the serious complications associated with type 2 diabetes.
Living with type 2 diabetes can be challenging on a daily basis. But you can overcome the challenge and live a long, healthy and happy life.
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. Approximately between 90 and 95 percent of diabetics suffer from type 2 diabetes. It is usually diagnosed in people older than 40, but because of the obesity rate and the lack of physical activity, today type 2 diabetes is affecting younger age groups also.
What is type 2 diabetes?
The pancreas is a small organ located behind the stomach which produces insulin. Insulin is responsible for allowing the glucose we eat to enter the body’s cells and convert it into energy. In type 2 diabetes, either the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or the cells ignore the insulin, also known as insulin resistance. Without insulin, the glucose does not enter the cells, and overtime it builds up in the bloodstream, potentially causing serious health complications.
Risk Factors
Although the cause of type 2 diabetes is still not fully understood, we do know that some risk factors like genetics, environment and obesity play a role. Other known type 2 diabetes risk factors include:
Family History: Having parents or siblings with diabetes increases the risk of contracting the disease.
Ethnic Background: African Americans, American Indians, Asian Americans and Hispanics are at higher risk for type 2 diabetes
Age: People over 45 years of age are more at risk of the disease
HDL: An HDL cholesterol level of 35 mg/dl or lower
Hypertension: High blood pressure is another risk factor for type 2 diabetes
Gestational Diabetes: Women with a history of gestational diabetes are at higher risk of contracting the disease.
Type 2 Diabetes is diagnosed with the following tests:
Fasting Plasma Glucose Test- A test result higher than 126 mg/dl on two occasions indicates the presence of diabetes
Non Fasting Blood Glucose Level- A result higher than 200 mg/dl accompanied by symptoms can be a sign of the presence of diabetes. This test will be confirmed with a fasting blood sugar test.
Hemoglobin A1c Test: This test measures blood sugar levels over an average of three months.
Type 2 Diabetes Complications
Serious complications associated with type 2 diabetes include:
Treating diabetes and keeping it under control can help prevent the serious complications associated with the disease. In order to achieve this, you must monitor your blood sugar regularly. A glucometer is a device that will give you an exact glucose reading. It uses a small blood sample which is placed in a strip inserted in the device. Results are available in approximately 30 seconds.
Regular exercise, a healthy diet and weight loss are also crucial in the control of type 2 diabetes. Your doctor may also prescribe medication if diet and exercise are not keeping your blood sugar at normal or near normal levels. Insulin may also be prescribed if you have a bad reaction to the medicine or if your blood glucose levels are not being properly controlled by the other treatment options.
Insulin shots are the most common way of taking insulin. Your health care provider will determine the right type of insulin for you and how frequently you must use it. Today, insulin pumps are also making a huge impact on diabetes, and many diabetics are already using them. Recent medical breakthroughs have also allowed some types of insulin to be inhaled.
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The content in this website is for informational and entertainment purposes only, and it is in no way meant to diagnose any illness or to replace the recommendations and directions given by a health care professional.