Diabetics' bodies have
difficulty turning food into energy.In healthy people, food is broken down after a meal
into a sugar called glucose.Cells use a
hormone called insulin
(made by the pancreas)to process that glucose into energy.However, the cells of people with diabetes – both
Type 1 and Type 2 - are insulin-resistant, meaning that they don't process the glucose
efficiently or use the insulin properly. The pancreas loses
its ability to keep up with the demand for insulin, and the
level of blood glucose rises; eventually, high glucose
levels can lead to heart and kidney disease, stroke,
blindness, gum infections, and other dangerous conditions.
Type 2 diabetes is the most
common form of the disease.It differs from Type 1 diabetes in that Type 2
sufferers do not need to take insulin injections.It was formerly referred to as "adult-onset" diabetes,
although Type 2 can strike at any age.It doesn't always have obvious symptoms of type 2 diabetes, either: in
many cases, it goes completely undetected, or the symptoms
are mild enough to be ignored, or passed off as something
else.According
to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC),
over six million people are living with Type 2 diabetes and don't know
it.They only
find out when they experience complications that arise from
the disease, and by then, the damage is done.So what are the telltale symptoms of Type 2 diabetes?
Sores that won't heal
Increased hunger and thirst
Increased urination
Fatigue
Weight loss
Blurry vision
There are also several risk
factors to consider.You
are at higher risk for Type 2 diabetes if you:
Are 45 or over
Are overweight
Have high blood pressure
Have a parent or sibling who is diabetic
Exercise fewer than three times a week
Are an Alaska Native, American Indian, African
American, Hispanic/Latino American, Asian American, or
Pacific Islander
Have abnormal cholesterol levels
Have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) or have had
gestational diabetes (both conditions apply to women only)
The more items on the list
that apply to you, the higher your risk, so if you fall
under any of these categories, it's important to get
tested for Type 2 diabetes.Early detection can help prevent any damage that may
occur from the disease.The most common diagnostic
screening for Type 2 diabetes is the fasting plasma glucose test, in which a blood sample is taken to
assess blood sugar levels.You’ll be asked to fast for a little while before
the test, because food and drinks can affect these levels.
Even if you're at high risk
for Type 2 diabetes, there are things you can do to decrease
it.Getting
regular, moderate exercise and making smart food choices
will go a long way toward reaching and maintaining a healthy
body weight, strengthening your heart, and lowering your
blood pressure and cholesterol levels.A dietician can help you set attainable goals and
come up with a healthy meal plan you can live with, and a
doctor can determine if you need medication to control blood
pressure and/or cholesterol.
Don't be among the
estimated millions who let their Type 2 diabetes go
untreated.You
owe it to yourself - and your health - to assess your
risk and find out!
