|
 Type 2 Diabetes is often called non-insulin dependent diabetes. This is the most common form of diabetes and it affects 90% - 95% of the 21 million people who have diabetes. Depression and Type 2 diabetes are often co-morbid diseases. One of the side effects of antidepressant medications is unwanted and substantial weight gain. This article will talk about the symptoms and causes of Type 2 Diabetes – and also give you timely information on serious diabetes complications that can arise when blood sugar levels are not managed for a period of time.
Unlike people with Type 1 Diabetes, a person with Type 2 Diabetes produce insulin; however, the insulin the pancreas secretes is either not enough or the body is unable to recognize the insulin and use it properly. This is called insulin-resistance. When there isn't enough insulin or the insulin is not used as it should be, glucose (sugar) can't get into the body's cells. When glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into cells, the body's cells are not able to function properly.
There are a number of problems associated with the buildup of glucose in the blood, which include:
- Dehydration. The buildup of sugar in the blood can cause an increase in urination (to try to clear the sugar from the body). When the kidneys lose the glucose through the urine, a large amount of water is also lost, causing dehydration.
- Diabetic Coma (Hyperosmolar nonketotic diabetic coma). When a person with type 2 diabetes becomes severely dehydrated and is not able to drink enough fluids to make up for the fluid losses, they may develop this life-threatening complication.
- Damage to the body. Over time, the high glucose levels in the blood may damage the nerves and small blood vessels of the eyes, kidneys, and heart and predispose a person to atherosclerosis (hardening of the large arteries) that can cause heart attack and stroke.
More and more children are being diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes today. If your child is at risk for childhood diabetes, it’s important to learn specific self-care tips to help prevent diabetes.
Once you read the following health information on Type 2 Diabetes, check with your doctor to see if you or a loved one is at risk for this common disease. If your child is diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, follow your doctor's recommendations for them with a diabetes diet, regular exercise, and other lifestyle changes. Your child can continue to feel great and productive if you manage their diabetes conscientiously.
Anyone can get Type 2 Diabetes. However, those at highest risk for the disease are those who are obese or overweight, women who have had gestational diabetes, people with family member who have Type 2 Diabetes and people who have metabolic syndrome (a cluster of problems that include high cholesterol, high triglycerides, low good 'HDL' cholesterol and a high bad 'LDL' cholesterol and high blood pressure). In addition, older people are more susceptible to developing the disease since aging makes the body less tolerant of sugars.
Although it is more common than Type 1 Diabetes, the causes of Type 2 Diabetes are less well understood. It is likely caused by multiple factors and not a single problem.
Type 2 Diabetes runs in families, but the exact nature of how it's inherited or the identity of a single genetic factor is not known.
The symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes vary from person to person but may include:
- Increased thirst
- Increased hunger (especially after eating)
- Dry mouth
- Nausea and occasionally vomiting
- Frequent urination
- Fatigue (weak, tired feeling)
- Blurred vision
- Numbness or tingling of the hands or feet
- Frequent infections of the skin, urinary tract or vagina.
Rarely, a person may be diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes after presenting to the hospital in a diabetic coma.
To diagnose Type 2 Diabetes, your health care provider will first check for abnormalities in your blood (high blood glucose level). In addition, he or she may look for glucose or ketone bodies in your urine.
Type 2 Diabetes testing includes a fasting blood glucose test or a casual blood glucose test. It also often includes repeated testing every hour for a period from three to six hours or longer.
If your diabetes isn't well controlled, there are a number of serious or life-threatening problems you may experience, including:
- Retinopathy. People with Type 2 Diabetes may already have abnormalities in the eyes related to the development of diabetes. Over time more and more people who initially do not have eye problems related to the disease will develop some form of eye problem. It is important to control not only sugars but blood pressure and cholesterol to prevent progression of eye disease. Fortunately, the vision loss isn't significant in most.
- Kidney damage. The risk of kidney disease increases over time, meaning the longer you have diabetes the greater your risk. This complication carries significant risk of serious illness, such as kidney failure and heart disease.
- Poor blood circulation and nerve damage. Damage to nerves and hardening of the arteries leads to decreased sensation and poor blood circulation in the feet. This can lead to increased infections and an increased risk of ulcers which heal poorly and can in turn significantly raises the risk of amputation. Damage to nerves may also lead to digestive problems, such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
|
