Diabetes type 2
We all have heard of diabetes, and we know that it has something to do with sugar in the human body. The cause of diabetes is how the body makes or uses insulin. Insulin moves the blood sugar, also known as glucose into cells where it's stored and then used for energy. Diabetes type 2 occurs when there is a problem with the insulin. Either the body is not producing enough of it, or the cells in the body are not responding, as they should to the insulin. This is termed as insulin resistance. When this happens, the blood sugar starts to build up. The pancreas produces insulin, and when the blood sugar level goes up the pancreas starts producing more and more insulin. However, the body fat, muscles, and liver don’t respond to the insulin, and this is termed as diabetes type 2.
Overweight people are prone to diabetes type 2. The explanation for this is quite simple. The excess fat in the body interferes with the body's usage of insulin. However, diabetes type 2 is not limited to fat people only, but people who are thin or elderly can also have diabetes type 2. Family history and genetics play a very large role in diabetes type 2. If there is family history of diabetes 2, then the chances of diabetes 2 occurring increases. Poor diet, excess weight, especially around the waist, and low activity increases the chances of diabetes type 2 occurring. Other factors that can induce diabetes type 2 are:
• Age more than 45 years
• High blood pressure
• Previously identified impaired glucose tolerance and history of diabetes
Surprisingly, ethnicity and race also plays a major role, as Hispanic Americans, African Americans, and Native Americans are more prone to getting diabetes type 2. Very often, people with diabetes type 2 do not show any of its symptoms. Most people don’t even know that they have it. Its only when they happen to get their blood sugar tested, they come to know that they have diabetes. Symptoms of diabetes type 2 are:
• Blurred vision
• Fatigue
• Frequent urination
• Increased thirst, and appetite
Diabetes type 2 can be controlled, and people who are diagnosed with it need to take care of themselves for the rest of their lives. Exercise and diet are the primary treatments for diabetes 2. After your doctor has diagnosed diabetes type 2, you will need to get the following tests conducted regularly.
• Have your blood pressure checked annually.
• If your diabetes is controlled, have your glycosulated hemoglobin checked every 6-months, otherwise after every 3 months.
• Get your cholesterol level checked annually.
• Get annual tests to make sure that the kidneys are functioning normally.
• Get dental cleaning done every 6- months, and make sure to tell your dentist that you are diabetic.
There are some basic skills that you will need to learn to control your diabetes, and your doctor will teach you these skills. Do follow them regularly, and don’t ignore them even when you are feeling on top of the world.
- Following an appropriate meal plan
- Frequent self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG)
- Administering insulin injections and knowing how to adjust the doses depending on results of SMBG
- Controlling/treating hypoglycemia
- Adding or maintaining an appropriate level of physical activity
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