Diabetes pertains to a class of diseases in which an individual has high blood sugar due to inadequate insulin production or the inability of the cells to respond properly to insulin. There are three types of diabetes with type 2 the most common form. In the United States, 90 percent of people with diabetes are afflicted with type 2 diabetes.

 

Type 2 Diabetes

People who have type 2 diabetes are able to produce insulin, unlike those who have type 1 diabetes. But the problem is that their body is unable to use insulin, or the pancreas is not able to produce enough levels of the hormone. This is referred to as insulin resistance.

As a refresher, insulin is the hormone that is produced by the pancreas. It enables the human body to utilize sugar from carbohydrates derived from food. Insulin also facilitates the maintenance of ideal blood sugar levels, keeping it from getting too high (a condition called hyperglycemia) or getting too low (called hypoglycemia).

Insulin resistance can cause numerous health problems. For one, the cells of the body won’t be able to function properly if the glucose cannot get into it. The glucose would then build up in the blood because it can’t enter the cells. As a result, the nerves and blood vessels of the kidneys, eyes, and heart could get damaged. It could specifically lead to the hardening of the arteries, resulting to heart attack and stroke.

Who is at Risk?

Any person can get type 2 diabetes, but people who are overweight and over 45 years of age have the highest risk for the disease.  Those who have had gestational diabetes and have a family history of the disease are also at risk. The same goes for people who lead a sedentary lifestyle, have high blood pressure, and low HDL cholesterol are also at risk of type 2 diabetes.

Complications

There are a lot of complications of type 2 diabetes.  These include eye complications like cataracts, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. Foot complications may range from neuropathy and ulcer. People with type 2 diabetes are also at risk for skin disorders and infections. The heart is also endangered, with problems like ischemic heart disease manifesting among people with type 2 diabetes since the supply of blood to the heart muscles is limited.

People with type 2 diabetes are also at risk of hypertension, increasing the threats of ailments like heart attack, stroke, eye problems, and kidney disease. They may also develop hearing problems, gum disease, and gastroparesis, wherein the muscles of the stomach stop functioning properly.

Other complications of type 2 diabetes are nephropathy, peripheral arterial disease, neuropathy, stroke, erectile dysfunction, and infections. People afflicted with type 3 diabetes also take a much longer time for their cuts and lesions to heal.

Diagnosis

People who don’t know that they have type 2 diabetes usually experience an increase in the frequency of their urination. They also experience increased thirst, and notice unexplained weight loss.  Other common symptoms of type 2 diabetes are inexplicable fatigue, increased hunger, blurred vision, and sores that never heal.

Blood tests are necessary in the diagnosis of diabetes. These involve taking of blood samples at a hospital or clinic for analysis. Early diagnosis is important as it can trigger the early treatment of diabetes, even before complications occur.

Tests for diabetes diagnosis include fasting plasma glucose test, oral glucose tolerance test, and glycohemoglobin test.

Treatment

Treatment of type 2 diabetes focuses on three major areas—diet, exercise, and weight control. People with type 2 diabetes are advised to maintain a diet that is low in fat and high in fiber. Starchy foods like bread, cereals and pasta as well as fruits and vegetables should be the priority.

It is also necessary that people with type 2 diabetes lose weight. Losing weight will help patients to reduce their blood sugar levels. In order to lose weight, a person with type 2 diabetes will have to engage in regular physical activity. It is recommended that patients do a minimum of 30 minutes brisk walking five times a week. Ideal activities include swimming, jogging, cycling, and dancing.

Certain medications are also prescribed for people with type 2 diabetes. Foremost of these is Metformin, a biguanide medicine. Metformin lowers the blood sugar levels by decreasing the amount of sugar that the liver releases to the blood stream. It likewise makes the body’s cells more sensitive to insulin, resulting to more glucose going to the cells with the same level of insulin released to the blood stream. Studies have shown that Metformin can lower the risks of diabetes complications like stroke and heart attack.

People with type 2 diabetes are also advised to quit smoking to prevent heart related complications. Other treatments may be given if the patient develops complications from type 2 diabetes.