The most common form of diabetes is type 2 diabetes. About 90 to 95 percent of people with diabetes have type 2, and one-third of them have not been diagnosed. This form of diabetes usually develops in adults age 40 and older and is most common in adults over age 55. About 80 percent of people with type 2 diabetes are overweight. Type 2 diabetes is often part of a metabolic syndrome that includes obesity, elevated blood pressure, and high levels of blood lipids. Unfortunately, as more children become overweight, type 2 diabetes is becoming more common in young people.
When type 2 diabetes is diagnosed, the pancreas is usually producing enough insulin, but, for unknown reasons, the body cannot use the insulin effectively, a condition called insulin resistance. After several years, insulin production decreases. The result is the same as for type 1 diabetes--glucose builds up in the blood and the body cannot make efficient use of its main source of fuel.
The symptoms of type 2 diabetes develop gradually. They are not as sudden in onset as in type 1 diabetes. Some people have no symptoms. Symptoms may include fatigue or nausea, frequent urination, unusual thirst, weight loss, blurred vision, frequent infections, and slow healing of wounds or sores.
Treatment of type 2 diabetes: Treatment typically includes diet control, exercise, home blood glucose testing, and in some cases, oral medication and/or insulin. Approximately 40% of people with type 2 diabetes require insulin injections.
Most Recent Community Topics
ideas needed
Posted by legless
2 replies
02:42 AM, Feb-06-12
CINNAMON
Posted by kjoe5
19 replies
07:42 PM, Feb-04-12
Help Your Teen Deal with the Ups & Downs of Diabetes
Teens with diabetes and their families often face unique challenges. Bad feelings are normal every now and then. But in order to feel better, teens need to learn to take charge of their diabetes – and families can help.
Grade-A Grocery List: Shopping Tips to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes
A healthy diet doesn't have to be expensive. Start by planning meals and making a grocery list ahead of time to take charge of what you eat. Follow these tips while grocery shopping to help you and your entire family make healthy food choices.
How Food Affects Your Blood Glucose
Whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, what, when, and how much you eat all affect your blood glucose.
Travel Tips for Diabetics
As any travel agent or stranded tourist will tell you, planning ahead is the key to a successful trip. And this is particularly true for people with diabetes.
Physicians Bust Myths About Insulin
People diagnosed with type 2 diabetes often resist taking insulin because they fear gaining weight, developing low blood sugar and seeing their quality of life decline. A study recently completed suggests that those fears are largely unfounded.
What You Need to Know About Physical Activity and Diabetes
When you take care of your diabetes, you'll feel better. You'll reduce your risk for problems with your kidneys, eyes, nerves, feet and legs, and teeth. You'll also lower your risk for a heart attack or a stroke. Among other things, you can take care of your diabetes by being physically active. Learn how easy it is!
Diabetic Neuropathies: The Nerve Damage of Diabetes
Reviews the causes and symptoms of diabetic neuropathy and reviews the different types of neuropathies: peripheral, autonomic, proximal, and focal neuropathies.
How Are Insulin Resistance, Pre-Diabetes, And Type 2 Diabetes Linked?
When the pancreas does not make enough insulin or the body is unable to use the insulin that is present, the cells cannot use glucose. Excess glucose builds up in the bloodstream, setting the stage for diabetes.
Diagnosis of Diabetic Neuropathy
Neuropathy is diagnosed on the basis of symptoms and a physical exam. During the exam, the doctor may check blood pressure and heart rate, muscle strength, reflexes, and sensitivity to position, vibration, temperature, or a light touch.
I Have Diabetes: What Should I Eat?
You can help control your blood sugar, also called blood glucose, and diabetes when you eat healthy, get enough exercise, and stay at a healthy weight. Find out more about eating and diabetes.
On the Horizon of Glucose Monitoring: A Review
Doctors recommend that diabetics who take insulin check their blood glucose levels four times a day. But piercing a nerve-rich fingertip and squeezing out a drop of blood onto a test strip is painful, and often deters people from checking any more than just once.
Inflammation: A New Link to Disease
One of the current "hot topics" in health research is how a certain kind of inflammation might affect our risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and even cancer.
