Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease, which is progressive. It is the most common form of the disease, occurring in 90% of all diabetic patients. It usually affects persons who are overweight, who have had gestational diabetes, have a family history of the disease, and adults over 45 years.
However, the incidence of Type 2 is now seen in younger people, such as obese children and adolescents. People who lead a sedentary life and have diets rich in fat are prone to this ailment. However, it may also occur in thin persons.
In Type 2, either one of the two situations occur:
The body produces insufficient insulin, or
The insulin, which is produced, is not recognized by the body and consequently not fully utilized. This occurs due to insulin resistance.
The result of both the cases is an accumulation of glucose in the blood. Many persons with insulin resistance simultaneously have high blood glucose and insulin levels.
The symptoms of diabetes are often not noticed for a long time. The reason for this may be that the symptoms are not severe and manifest themselves erratically. Some of the symptoms include increased thirst, urination and hunger, hazy vision and slow healing of wounds. If the disease is not diagnosed over a prolonged period, it may lead to complications like eye problems, poor blood circulation, and kidney and heart problems amongst others.
If you feel that you are suffering from the above symptoms and may be diabetic, you should consult your physician. He will ask you to undergo tests used to diagnose diabetes. At times, diabetes may be diagnosed when you consult the doctor for other medical problems such as unclear vision or when your cholesterol levels are very high.
Type 2 diabetes is not curable. It can however be controlled. The key to managing this ailment is to monitor and keep the blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible. In the initial stages, slight changes in your lifestyle can make a significant difference. By making some modifications to your diet, exercising and losing weight, you can keep your blood glucose levels in control.
Studies show that walking briskly for 45 minutes a day can make a world of difference. So can losing about two to five kilograms of weight. This is especially true if you are overweight. It has been proved that excess weight can hamper the body’s ability to utilize glucose properly.
At times, lifestyle modification may not be enough to keep the blood glucose, cholesterol and pressure levels in control. In such cases, you may need to take medication for controlling the disease. If the insulin production of body ceases, you will have to begin the intake of insulin from external sources. By monitoring the ailment, you can make sure that you avoid the long-term complications associated with Type 2 diabetes.