Type 2 Diabetes - Information on the Most Common Form of Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. With type 2 diabetics, the body does not produce enough insulin, or is unable to use the insulin properly. Insulin is vital to the body as it allows the body to use glucose for energy.
As you eat, the body works to break down all of the sugars into glucose. It is insulin's job to take sugar from the blood and transport it into the cells. As glucose builds up in the blood as opposed to in the cells, there are a couple of problems that arise.
First, your cells will immediately be starved for energy. It makes it difficult for the body to create enough energy to make it through the day. Over time, you may start to notice signs of Type 2 Diabetes - also called adult-onset diabetes (many people develop a condition known as insulin resistance, before beginning to show symptoms of being diabetic). Continued high blood glucose levels can eventually have a negative affect on your eyes, kidneys, nerves or heart. Diabetics are at risk for both high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) and low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), both of which can cause additional problems.
What causes diabetes? There are many factors and causes that can lead to type 2 diabetes. These include being overweight, a poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, and genetics play a role too. However, "adult-onset" diabetes can be prevented or delayed for many people - if steps are taken immediately to change their lifestyle.
Learning that you are diabetic can be a scary moment. While it is a serious condition, it is important to understand that you can still live a long, happy and healthy life.
In order to live a long and fulfilling life, you want to develop a diabetes treatment plan as soon as possible. Typically, the first kind of treatment consists of meal planning for blood glucose control (including managing "carbs", or carbohydrates), weight loss, and exercising. Many tasty diabetic recipes are available and, in consultation with a dietician, you can enjoy nutritious foods that help you feel your best. Although a proper diet and regular exercise are both important for diabetics, in some people they are still not enough to normalize blood glucose levels. In such a case, medicine may be required to lower the levels.
There are several different kinds of medicines you may look into taking. It is important you consult a physician and decide on the right medication for your condition.
In some cases a healthy diet (many people find a diet based on the glycemic index helpful) and exercise will be enough so that you don't need to turn to insulin. However, many people may need to go further. Some of the factors to consider whether you should start using insulin include how long you have had diabetes, how high your blood glucose levels are, how well your blood sugar levels are controlled, and what other types of medications you are taking.
There are a number of areas of concern that are brought up with type 2 diabetes aside from just your health. You may also find you have to deal with irritability, depression, denial and even discrimination. It can be difficult managing all of these problems while remaining healthy, but there are treatments out there to help you live a long and healthy life.
| Did you know? Diabetes is not just a human disease. Dogs can develop canine diabetes and cats can develop feline diabetes. Diabetes in dogs and cats is treatable and pets can continue to lead happy lives. |
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