What Is Type 2 Diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is a serious disease. It happens when your blood levels of glucose, a form of sugar, are too high. Type 2 diabetes can lead to dangerous health problems. The good news is that high glucose levels can be managed to help control type 2 diabetes and prevent or delay future problems.
Understanding Glucose and Insulin
Our bodies change the foods we eat into glucose. Glucose travels through the bloodstream to “fuel,” or feed, our cells. Insulin is a hormone that helps our bodies use glucose for energy. People with diabetes do not make insulin, do not use insulin properly, or both. This means they have too much glucose (sugar) in their blood. As a result, they often feel tired, hungry, or thirsty; they may lose weight, urinate often, or have trouble with their eyes. In time, the high levels of this form of sugar in the blood can damage their eyes, kidneys, and nerves. It can also cause heart disease, strokes, and even the need to remove all or part of a limb.
Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes tends to run in families, but other factors can add to the risk of getting diabetes. For example, being overweight and underactive can sometimes trigger diabetes in people who are at risk. A considerable amount of research is being done to study what causes diabetes and how to best manage this condition. While more diabetes research must be done, we do know that careful control of blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol can help prevent or delay type 2 diabetes and its complications.
Other Types of Diabetes
There are two main types of diabetes. In one form of diabetes, people must take insulin every day. This is called type 1 diabetes, formerly known as juvenile-onset diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is often first seen in children, teenagers, or adults under age 30.
The second form of diabetes happens when the body produces insulin but doesn’t use it in the right way. This is called type 2 diabetes, formerly called adult-onset diabetes. It is most common in people over the age of 40. Type 2 diabetes is linked to:
* Obesity
* Lack of activity
* Family history of diabetes
* Family background.
African Americans, Hispanic/Latino Americans, American Indians, and some Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are at high risk for type 2 diabetes.
There is also a condition called pre-diabetes in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be called diabetes. This condition raises the risk of:
* Type 2 diabetes
* Heart disease
* Stroke.
People with pre-diabetes can delay or prevent type 2 diabetes by losing weight and being more active.
Health Concerns Related to Type 2 Diabetes
Blood glucose levels that are either very high or very low can lead to serious medical problems, even emergencies. In addition to the health problems noted above, people with type 2 diabetes can go into a coma (become unconscious) if their blood glucose levels get too high. Low blood glucose (called hypoglycemia) can also cause problems if it’s untreated. Usually, hypoglycemia is mild and can easily be treated by eating or drinking something high in carbohydrates, such as:
* Bread
* Fruit
* Potatoes
* Milk.
Left untreated, however, hypoglycemia can lead to a loss of consciousness. Although hypoglycemia can occur suddenly, it can usually be treated quickly, bringing the person’s blood glucose level back to normal.
Researchers recently have found that people with type 2 diabetes also have an increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease. Studies are under way to understand this connection and to see whether strict control of glucose can delay or prevent this problem.
Symptoms
Often, people with type 2 diabetes have few or no symptoms of the disease. Many people with type 2 diabetes don’t even know they have it. For some people, feeling run down is their only type 2 diabetes symptom, which is so general that the diabetes may go unnoticed. Other people with type 2 diabetes may:
* Feel thirsty
* Urinate often
* Lose weight
* Get skin infections
* Have blurred vision
* Heal slowly from cuts and bruises.
It is important to tell your doctor right away if you experience any of these possible symptoms of type 2 diabetes.
Read More
Signs and Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes
Can Type 2 Diabetes Be Prevented?
