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Type 2 Diabetes

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 Symptoms

Increased Appetite
Increased Thirst
Increased Urination
Fatigue
Abdominal Pain
Blurred Vision

Diagnosis

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:

Heart Disease
Eye Complications
Kidney Disease
Diabetic Neuropathy
Foot Complications
Erectile Dysfunction
Depression

Hypoglycemia and Hyperglycemia are conditions associated with type 2 diabetes

Type 2 Diabetes Treatment

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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