 |
| Diabetes |
What Is Type 2 Diabetes?
Unlike people with type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetics produce insulin, but either their pancreas does not produce enough insulin or the body can not use insulin adequately. This is called insulin resistance. When there is not enough insulin or does not use insulin properly, glucose (sugar) can not enter body cells. When glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into cells, cells of the body can not function properly.
Another problem associated with the buildup of glucose in the blood include:
- Dehydration. Accumulation of sugar in the blood can cause increased urination. When the kidneys lose the glucose through the urine, a large amount of water is also lost, causing dehydration.
- Diabetic Coma (diabetic hyperosmolar nonketotic coma). When a person with type 2 diabetes becomes very dry and unable to drink enough fluids to make up for the loss of fluids, they can develop life-threatening complications.
- Damage to the body. Over time, high glucose levels in the blood can damage nerves and small blood vessels, kidney, eye heart, and and influence someone to atherosclerosis (hardening) of the large arteries that can cause heart attacks and strokes.
Type 2 Diabetes in Children
More and more children are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Find out about the symptoms of type 2 diabetes in children, diagnosis, and treatment in a WebMD article on type 2 diabetes in childhood. If your child is at risk for diabetic children, it is important to learn specific self-care tips to help prevent diabetes.
Who Gets Type 2 Diabetes?
Anyone can get type 2 diabetes. However, they are at highest risk for this disease are those who are obese or overweight, women who have suffered from gestational diabetes, people with family members who have type 2 diabetes and people with metabolic syndrome (a group of problems which include high cholesterol, high triglycerides, low-cholesterol 'HDL' good and high cholesterol 'LDL' bad, and high blood pressure). In addition, parents are more prone to develop disease because aging makes the body less tolerant of sugars.
In addition, people who smoke, have inactive lifestyles, or have certain dietary patterns have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
What Causes Type 2 Diabetes?
Although less common than type 1 diabetes, the causes of type 2 diabetes is less well understood. This is probably caused by several factors and not a single problem.
Diabetes type 2 can run in families, but the exact nature of how that heritage or identity of a single genetic factor is unknown.
What Are the Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes?
- Blurred vision.
- Dry mouth.
- Fatigue (weak, tired feeling).
- Frequent infections of the skin, urinary tract or vagina.
- Frequent urination.
- Increased hunger (especially after eating).
- Increased thirst.
- Nausea and occasionally vomiting.
- Numbness or tingling of the hands or feet.
How Is Type 2 Diabetes Diagnosed?
To diagnose type 2 diabetes, your doctor will first examine abnormalities in your blood (high blood glucose levels) during fasting or random blood tests through a screening test known as the 2 hour glucose tolerance test. In addition, he may look for glucose or ketone bodies in your urine.
Diabetes type 2 testing including fasting plasma glucose test or a casual plasma glucose test. You will also need to check your blood sugar levels regularly.
Complications Associated With Type 2 Diabetes
If you have type 2 diabetes not well controlled, there are a number of serious or life-threatening problems you may encounter, including:
- Retinopathy. People with type 2 diabetes may have abnormalities in the eye associated with diabetes development. Over time more and more people who initially do not have eye problems associated with the disease will develop some form of eye problems. It is important to control not only the sugar but the blood pressure and cholesterol to prevent the development of eye disease. Fortunately, no significant loss of vision in the majority.
- Kidney damage. Risk of kidney disease increased from time to time, meaning the longer you have diabetes, the greater your risk. These complications carry significant risk of serious diseases - such as kidney failure and heart disease.
- Poor blood circulation and nerve damage. Damage to nerves and hardening of blood vessels causing decreased sensation and poor blood circulation in the legs. This can lead to increased infections and increased risk of ulcers that heal poorly and in turn can significantly increase the risk of amputation. Nerve damage can also cause digestive problems, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Article Source: Pro Healthy Life
