All About Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a condition that alters the way the body breaks down sugar. This is a very important chemical reaction because sugar is the body’s main source of fuel.
Additionally, with type 2 diabetes, the body does not react the way it should with insulin. Under normal conditions, insulin leads the way for sugar to enter and thereby “fuel” each cell. This is not happening in the body when an individual has type 2 diabetes, resulting in complications.
Unlike type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes can be prevented with a healthy diet, exercising and weight control. Understandably, some diabetics need a little more – like diabetic medications or insulin to control the glucose levels.
Risk Factors and Symptoms
The first thing you want to know is what to look for or what can make you a candidate for this disease. There are a number of things, beginning with weight. The Mayo Clinic reports that the more fatty tissue you have, the more resistant the cells are to insulin. Then there’s the risk factor of inactivity. Exercise helps control weight and uses up stored sugar. Family history or heredity plays and important factor as well. It is not known why, but even in certain races, diabetes is more prevalent, such as African American, Hispanics, American Indian and Asian-American.
Age plays an important part too. The older you get - more than likely due to older people exercising less – the more likely some are to acquire this condition. Individuals who have prediabetes certainly run the risk of developing type 2. With prediabetes, the blood sugar is higher than normal but not where it could be determined to be type 2 diabetes. Lastly, there is the risk factor that gestational diabetes introduces, namely, the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes later on.
So, if you identify with any of these risk factors or if you are having symptoms like increased thirst to frequent urination, constant hunger, unexpected weight loss, extreme fatigue, blurred vision, slow-healing sores or frequent infection, or darkened skin in some areas; think seriously about seeing a physician who can test you for this condition.
We value and respect the experiences of all of our HERWriters, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.
Add a CommentComments
There are no comments yet. Be the first one and get the conversation started!