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Diabetes Support Site Website
http://diabetessupportsite.com/
Type 2 Diabetes Facts
What is Type 2 Diabetes?
A person with Type 2 diabetes has
adequate insulin, but the cells have
become resistant to it.With type 2
diabetes, the muscles and liver that
normally take up blood sugar and
use it for energy begin to lose their
sensitivity to the hormone insulin, a
condition known as insulin
resistance.
The pancreas, which contains the
insulinmaking beta cells, responds
to the body’s insulin resistance by
churning out even more of the
hormone. Even though insulin
levels may increase to a degree,
even the increased amount is not
sufficient to prevent blood sugar
from becoming too high. (In
contrast, type 1 diabetes is a less
common autoimmune disease that
destroys the insulinproducing
cells, although some people don’t
fit neatly into either category.)
Food is broken down into glucose
during digestion. The glucose is
released into the blood and the
digestion process activates the
pancreas to release insulin, which
helps the glucose enter the cells of
the body where it’s used for
energy. When someone is
resistant to the effects of insulin,
the glucose keeps circulating in the
blood and doesn’t reach the body’s
cells. This causes the body to try
to get rid of the glucose in other
ways.
The excess blood sugar in
diabetes can wreak havoc on
blood vessels all over the body
and cause complications. It can
severely damage the eyes,
kidneys, nerves, and other body
parts; cause sexual problems; and
double the risk of heart attack and
stroke.
Eventually, insulinproducing cells
can shut down and stop producing
the hormone completely.
Some people with type 2diabetes need insulin, butmost don’t. (It’s type 1diabetes that requiresinsulin shots to survive;about onethird of peoplewith type 2 use insulin.)You may need to injectinsulin to help replace orsupplement your own
natural production of thehormone and to help yourbody overcome insulin
resistance.
Institutes of Health statethat 95 percent of all
diabetes cases are Type2. Why? It’s a lifestyledisease, triggered by
obesity, a lack of exercise,increased age and tosome degree, genetic
predisposition.
Understanding Type 2 Diabetes
What are the Symptoms and Signs of Type 2 Diabetes?Increased urination,
excessive thirst
If you need to urinate
frequently—particularly if you
often have to get up at night
to use the bathroom—it could
be a symptom of diabetes.
The kidneys kick into high
gear to get rid of all that extra
glucose in the blood, hence
the urge to relieve yourself,
sometimes several times
during the night.
The excessive thirst means
your body is trying to
replenish those lost fluids.
These two symptoms go hand
in hand and are some of your
body’s ways of trying to
manage high blood sugar.
Weight loss
Overly high blood sugar levels
can also cause rapid weight
loss, say 10 to 20 pounds
over two or three months
—but this is not a healthy
weight loss.
Because the insulin hormone
isn’t getting glucose into the
cells, where it can be used as
energy, the body thinks it’s
starving and starts breaking
down protein from the
muscles as an alternate
source of fuel.
The kidneys are also working
overtime to eliminate the
excess sugar, and this leads
to a loss of calories (and can
harm the kidneys). These are
processes that require a lot of
energy.
Hunger
Excessive pangs of hunger,
another sign of diabetes, can
come from sharp peaks and
lows in blood sugar levels.
When blood sugar levels
plummet, the body thinks it
hasn’t been fed and craves
more of the glucose that cells
need to function.
Skin problems
Itchy skin, perhaps the result
of dry skin or poor circulation,
can often be a warning sign of
diabetes.
A darkening of the skin
around the neck or armpit
area. “People who have this
already have an insulin
resistance process occurring
even though their blood sugar
might not be high.
What are the Symptoms and Signs of Type 2 Diabetes?Slow healing
Infections, cuts, andbruises that don’t healquickly are another
classic sign of diabetes.
This usually happensbecause the bloodvessels are beingdamaged by the
excessive amounts ofglucose traveling theveins and arteries.
This makes it hard forblood—needed tofacilitate healing—to
reach different areas ofthe body.
Yeast infections
Diabetes is considered an
immunosuppressed state.
That means heightened
susceptibility to a variety of
infections, although the most
common are yeast (candida) and
other fungal infections.Fungi and
bacteria both thrive in sugarrich
environments.
Women, in particular, need to
watch out for vaginal candida
infections.
Fatigue and irritability
When people have high blood
sugar levels, depending on how
long it’s been, they can get used to
chronically not feeling well.
Getting up to go to the bathroom
several times during the night will
make anyone tired, as will the extra
effort your body is expending to
compensate for its glucose
deficiency.
And being tired will make you
irritable.
Blurry vision
Having distorted vision and seeing floatersor occasional flashes of light are a direct
result of high blood sugar levels.
Blurry vision is a refraction problem. Whenthe glucose in the blood is high, it changes
the shape of the lens and the eye.
The good news is that this symptom isreversible once blood sugar levels are
returned to normal or near normal. But letyour blood sugar go unchecked for longperiods and the glucose will causepermanent damage, possibly evenblindness. And that’s not reversible.
Tingling or numbness
Tingling and numbness in the hands andfeet, along with burning pain or swelling,are signs that nerves are being damaged
by diabetes.
If (the symptoms are) recent, it’s morelikely to be reversible.
Still, as with vision, if blood sugar levelsare allowed to run rampant for too long,neuropathy (nerve damage) will be
permanent. That’s why it is so important tocontrol blood sugar as quickly as
possible.
Type 2 Diabetes TestsSeveral tests are used tocheck for diabetes, but asingle test result is neverenough on its own todiagnose diabetes (thetest has to be repeated).
One is the fasting plasmaglucose test, which
checks your blood sugarafter a night (or eighthours) of not eating.
Blood glucose above 126milligrams per deciliter
(mg/dL) on two occasionsmeans you have diabetes.
The normal cutoff is 99mg/dL while a blood sugarlevel of 100 to 125 mg/dLis considered prediabetes,a serious condition on its
own.
What causes Type 2 Diabetes ?Type 2 diabetes occurs
when the pancreas
doesn’t produce
enough insulin to
maintain a normal
blood glucose level, or
the body is unable to
use the insulin that is
produced – known as
insulin resistance.
The pancreas (a large
gland behind the
stomach) produces the
hormone insulin, which
moves glucose from
your blood into your
cells, where it’s
converted into energy.
Main Reasons for Developing Type 2 DiabetesIn type 2 diabetes, there are
several reasons why the
pancreas doesn’t produce
enough insulin.
Four of the main reasons for
developing type 2 diabetes
are:
age – being over the age of
40 (over 25 for south Asian
people)
genetics – having a close
relative with the condition
(parent, brother or sister)
weight – being overweight or
obese
ethnicity – being of south
Asian, Chinese, African
Caribbean or black African
origin (even if you were born
in a European country)
What are the Risk Factors for Type 2 diabetes?Several risk factors have been associated with type 2 diabetes and include:
Family history of diabetes
Overweight
Unhealthy diet
Physical inactivity
Increasing age
High blood pressure
Ethnicity
Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT)
History of gestational diabetes
Poor nutrition during pregnancy
Misconceptions about Type 2 diabetesMyth: Type 2 diabetes is not that
serious
Fact: Not everyone with type 2 diabetesneeds insulin, so it may not seem that
serious. In reality it’s a silent killer, because those with type 2 don’t have
many symptoms. In actuality, type 2 ismore complex than type 1,type 2diabetes is a manifestation of an
underlying disease process calledinsulin resistance or metabolic
syndrome. This causes high bloodpressure, heart disease, and
contributes to the growth of cancer andgout.
Myth: Symptoms of type 2 diabetes areeasy to spot
Fact: Nearly 28% of people who havetype 2 diabetes don’t even realize it.
While the symptoms of type 1 and type2 diabetes are very similar—increasedurination and thirst, fatigue, blurred
vision, among others—type 1 symptomstend to have a dramatic and abrupt
onset (usually in children andadolescents, but sometimes adults),
while type 2 comes on much moreslowly. Many people can walk aroundwith type 2 diabetes for years withoutshowing symptoms. Your blood sugar
may be mildly elevated in the earlystages of the disease but you wouldn’tknow it without a blood test. However,
even this mild elevation—known asprediabetes—is thought to be
dangerous, raising the risk for heartattacks and other problems.
Myth: Eating too many sweets causes type2 diabetes
Fact: It’s an old wives tale that diabetes iscaused by eating sugar and candy.
What definitely does increase your risk oftype 2:
being overweight or obese, and of courseconsuming too much sugar (or calories
from any other source) could cause weightgain. Anyone can develop type 2 diabetes(even lifelong athletes like Billie Jean
King). All it takes is the right combinationof lifestyle factors and genetics. In the
past, most people were diagnosed in their60s or 70s. Extra pounds speed up a
diagnosis, meaning more people now getdiabetes in their 30s, 40s, or 50s, or even
younger.
Myth: Exercise can’t help prevent type 2diabetes
Fact: Part of the essence of preventionand treatment of type 2 diabetes is
exercise. Exercise burns glucose andmakes the cells more sensitive to insulin.This better enables your cells to take upglucose during and after activity. Exercisemay even be more effective than diabetesdrugs when it comes to preventing thedisease in people most at risk. Drugs
alone are not the answer.
Myth: If you have diabetes, you can nevereat sugar
Fact: Eating more sweets doesn’t causediabetes, and those with diabetes can eat
sugary foods from time to time.Keepsweets and dessert portions small, sincemost sweets contain high amounts of
carbohydrates. Diabetics can swap out asmall portion of dessert for another carbheavy food in your meal. For example,
substitute a small portion of apple pie for abread roll or potatoes in the main course.
Myth: Only overweight people get type 2diabetes
Fact: Although obese and overweightpeople are at a higher risk for developingtype 2 diabetes, thin people can alsobecome diabetic. Ethnicity plays a big
role. Populations at a higher risk for type2 diabetes in general includes AfricanAmericans, Alaska Natives, Japanese,
Chinese, Koreans, American Indians, andHispanics/Latinos. A family history of
diabetes also makes it more likely you’lldevelop the disease. More research is
needed to determine exactly why minoritygroups have a higher type 2 diabetes risk,but some believe these groups may haveinherited a “thrifty gene” that helped theirancestors get through alternating periodsof feast and famine—in other words, theirbodies cling to fat to prepare for longperiods without food, an evolutionaryadaptation that’s no longer necessary.Others believe that poverty and lack of
access to health care play a role
Misconceptions about Type 2 diabetesMyth:Type 2 Diabetes means you have to
give yourself shots
Fact: Type 2 diabetes rarely requiresinsulin shots. If you need insulin shots, it’slikely only one injection a day and without
any diabetes pill. Managing type 2diabetes more frequently includes stress
reduction, diet, exercise, and oralmedication.Stress increases blood sugarlevels substantially. Along with diet andexercise,practicing mindfulness as a way
to avoid blood sugar spikes due tostress.Try your best to avoid stress, be inthe now, enjoy nature,animals or yourfavourite hobby,spend some time doingwhat makes you feel happy and relaxed,keep your mind and body in the same
place.
Myth: It’s easy to tell if your blood sugar ishigh by how you feel
Fact: Typical symptoms of high bloodsugar include increased thirst and
urination, dry mouth, fatigue, and blurredvision. Low blood sugar may trigger
shakiness, sweating, irritability, dizziness,and lack of coordination. But often thosewith diabetes “adjust” to these feelingsand don’t know their true blood sugar
without checking it. The brain can adjustto high and low blood sugars, and often aperson with type 2 diabetes cant ‘feel’
when their sugar’s low or high. It requiresa blood test to know for sure.
Myth: If you don’t take care of your type 2diabetes, you’ll end up on insulin
Fact: Around 25% of people developingtype 2 diabetes will need insulin. It’s notbecause they have done anything wrong,simply that the insulinproducing cells inthe pancreas have become so fatiguedthey cannot produce enough insulin tocope with the demands of food. This
“insulin exhaustion” is often worse in thosewho are overweight, as this given amountof insulin is less effective at keeping blood
glucose levels under control.
Myth: Insulin makes you gain weight
Fact: Insulin does not cause weight gainon its own, but people going on insulinoften do report weight gain. Insulin
injections make a person super efficient atkeeping hold of any excess calories thatthey previously lost through the kidneys
when the diet was not as well controlled. Ifthis happens, check with your doctor to besure you’re not on too much insulin. Thiscan cause excess weight gain when
people ‘feed up’ their insulin to stop theirblood glucose levels from going too low.
Myth: Once you’re diagnosed with type 2diabetes, you have it for life
Fact: A lot of people who develop type 2diabetes are carrying excess weight. Andthey often don’t exercise as much as theyshould. The good news is that if you’reoverweight and have type 2 diabetes,
losing the extra pounds by cutting portionsizes and exercising more will be
beneficial. In some cases, people caneven reverse the diabetes process,especially if those lifestyle changeshappen as soon as type 2 diabetes isdiagnosed. In one study, losing an
average of 15 pounds through lifestylechanges reduced the risk of developingtype 2 diabetes by 58% over three years.
Myth:Type 2 Diabetes is the same foreveryone
Fact: Symptoms, dietary approaches, andreactions to various foods all vary
individually in type 2 diabetes. Somepeople have no symptoms until theyexperience a heart attack. While in thehospital they find out their blood sugar issky high but they had no prior idea they
were diabetic. Whether or not youexercise can play a significant role in
determining your blood sugar after eatinga certain food as well. You can give thesame number of calories to two differentpeople and their blood sugar may be
different, depending on fitness level andeven ethnicity. Keeping a food diary withfoods and blood sugar reactions two hours
after a meal helps determine anindividual’s reaction to specific foods.
How is Type 2 Diabetes treated?There’s no cure for diabetes,
so treatment aims to keep
your blood glucose levels as
normal as possible and to
control your symptoms, to
prevent health problems
developing later in life
Management of type 2
diabetes includes:
Healthy eating
Regular exercise
Possibly, diabetes medication
or insulin therapy
Blood sugar monitoring
These steps will help keep
your blood sugar level closer
to normal, which can delay or
prevent complications.
Healthy EatingContrary to popular perception, there’s no
specific diabetes diet. However, it’simportant to center your diet on these
highfiber, lowfat foods:
Fruits
Vegetables
Whole grains
You’ll also need to eat fewer animalproducts, refined carbohydrates and
sweets.
Low glycemic index foods also may behelpful. The glycemic index is a measureof how quickly a food causes a rise in yourblood sugar. Foods with a high glycemicindex raise your blood sugar quickly. Lowglycemic foods may help you achieve a
more stable blood sugar. Foods with a lowglycemic index typically are foods that are
higher in fiber.
A registered dietitian can help you puttogether a meal plan that fits your healthgoals, food preferences and lifestyle. Heor she can also teach you how to monitoryour carbohydrate intake and let you knowabout how many carbohydrates you needto eat with your meals and snacks to keep
your blood sugar levels more stable.
Physical Activity
Everyone needs regular aerobic exercise,and people who have type 2 diabetes areno exception. Get your doctor’s consentbefore you start an exercise program.
Then choose activities you enjoy, such aswalking, swimming and biking. What’s
most important is making physical activitypart of your daily routine.
Aim for at least 30 minutes of aerobicexercise most days of the week.
Stretching and strength training exercisesare important, too. If you haven’t been
active for a while, start slowly and build upgradually.
A combination of exercises — aerobicexercises, such as walking or dancing onmost days, combined with resistancetraining, such as weightlifting or yoga
twice a week — often helps control bloodsugar more effectively than either type of
exercise alone.
Remember that physical activity lowersblood sugar. Check your blood sugar levelbefore any activity. You might need to eata snack before exercising to help preventlow blood sugar if you take diabetes
medications that lower your blood sugar.
Monitoring your Blood Sugar
Depending on your treatment
plan, you may check and
record your blood sugar level
every now and then or, if
you’re on insulin, multiple
times a day. Ask your doctor
how often he or she wants
you to check your blood
sugar. Careful monitoring is
the only way to make sure
that your blood sugar level
remains within your target
range.
Sometimes, blood sugar
levels can be unpredictable.
With help from your diabetes
treatment team, you’ll learn
how your blood sugar level
changes in response to food,
exercise, alcohol, illness and
medication.
Diabetes Medications and Insulin TherapySome people who
have type 2 diabetes
can achieve their target
blood sugar levels with
diet and exercise
alone, but many also
need diabetes
medications or insulin
therapy. The decision
about which
medications are best
depends on many
factors, including your
blood sugar level and
any other health
problems you have.
Your doctor might even
combine drugs from
different classes to
help you control your
blood sugar in several
different ways.
Bariatric SurgeryIf you have type 2 diabetes
and your body mass index
(BMI) is greater than 35, you
may be a candidate for
weightloss surgery (bariatric
surgery). Blood sugar levels
return to normal in 55 to 95
percent of people with
diabetes, depending on the
procedure performed.
Surgeries that bypass a
portion of the small intestine
have more of an effect on
blood sugar levels than do
other weightloss surgeries.
Drawbacks to the surgery
include cost, and there are
risks involved, including a risk
of death. Additionally, drastic
lifestyle changes are required
and longterm complications
may include nutritional
deficiencies and osteoporosis.
PregnancyWomen with type 2diabetes may need to
alter their treatment duringpregnancy. Many womenuse insulin therapy duringpregnancy. Cholesterollowering medications andsome blood pressuredrugs can’t be usedduring pregnancy.
If you have signs ofdiabetic retinopathy,(eyesight complication) it mayworsen during pregnancy.Visit your ophthalmologistduring the first trimester ofyour pregnancy and atleast once a year
thereafter.
Serious Problems in Type 2 DiabetesHigh blood sugar (hyperglycemia)
Your blood sugar level can rise for manyreasons, including eating too much, being
sick or not taking enough glucoselowering medication. Check your blood
sugar level often, and watch for signs andsymptoms of high blood sugar — frequenturination, increased thirst, dry mouth,
blurred vision, fatigue and nausea. If youhave hyperglycemia, you’ll need to adjustyour meal plan, medications or both.
Hyperglycemic hyperosmolar nonketoticsyndrome (HHNS)
Signs and symptoms of this lifethreatening condition include a bloodsugar reading higher than 600 mg/dL
(33.3 mmol/L), dry mouth, extreme thirst,fever greater than 101 F (38 C),
drowsiness, confusion, vision loss,hallucinations and dark urine.
Your blood sugar monitor may not be ableto give you an exact reading at such high
levels and may instead just read“high.”HHNS is caused by skyhigh bloodsugar that turns blood thick and syrupy. Ittends to be more common in older people
with type 2 diabetes, and it’s oftenpreceded by an illness or infection. HHNSusually develops over days or weeks.
Call your doctor or seek immediatemedical care if you have signs or
symptoms of this condition.
Increased ketones in your
urine (diabetic ketoacidosis)
If your cells are starved for
energy, your body may begin
to break down fat. This
produces toxic acids known
as ketones.Watch for loss of
appetite, weakness, vomiting,
fever, stomach pain and fruity
smelling breath.
You can check your urine for
excess ketones with an over
thecounter ketones test kit. If
you have excess ketones in
your urine, consult your doctor
right away or seek emergency
care. This condition is more
common in people with type 1
diabetes but can sometimes
occur in people with type 2
diabetes.
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
If your blood sugar level drops below yourtarget range, it’s known as low blood
sugar (hypoglycemia).
Your blood sugar level can drop for manyreasons, including skipping a meal or
getting more physical activity than normal.
Low blood sugar is most likely if you takeglucoselowering medications that
promote the secretion of insulin or if you’retaking insulin.
Check your blood sugar level regularly,and watch for signs and symptoms of lowblood sugar — sweating, shakiness,
weakness, hunger, dizziness, headache,blurred vision, heart palpitations, slurredspeech, drowsiness, confusion and
seizures.
If you develop hypoglycemia during thenight, you might wake with sweatsoaked
pajamas or a headache.
Due to a natural rebound effect, nighttimehypoglycemia might cause an unusuallyhigh blood sugar reading first thing in the
morning.
If you have signs or symptoms of lowblood sugar, drink or eat something thatwill quickly raise your blood sugar level —fruit juice, glucose tablets, hard candy,regular (not diet) soda or another source
of sugar.
Type 2 Diabetes ManagementCareful management oftype 2 diabetes canreduce your risk ofserious — even life
threatening —complications.
Commit to managing yourdiabetes
Learn all you can abouttype 2 diabetes. Makehealthy eating and
physical activity part ofyour daily routine.
Establish a relationshipwith a diabetes educator,and ask your diabetestreatment team for help
when you need it.
Identify YourselfWear a tag or bracelet that says you have diabetes.
Schedule a yearly physical exam and regular eye exams
Your regular diabetes
checkups aren’t meant
to replace regular
physicals or routine eye
exams.
During the physical,
your doctor will look for
any diabetesrelated
complications, as well
as screen for other
medical problems.
Your eye care
specialist will check for
signs of retinal
damage, cataracts and
glaucoma.
Pay attention to your feetWash your feet daily
in lukewarm water.
Dry them gently,
especially between
the toes, and
moisturize with
lotion.
Check your feet
every day for
blisters, cuts, sores,
redness and
swelling.
Consult your doctor
if you have a sore
or other foot
problem that isn’t
healing.
If you smoke oruse other types oftobacco, ask yourdoctor to help you
quitSmoking
increases your
risk of various
diabetes
complications.
Talk to your
doctor about
ways to stop
smoking or to
stop using other
types of tobacco.
If you drink alcohol, do so responsiblyAlcohol, as well as drink
mixers, can cause either high
or low blood sugar, depending
on how much you drink and if
you eat at the same time.
If you choose to drink, do so
in moderation and always with
a meal.
The recommendation is no
more than one drink daily for
women, no more than two
drinks daily for men age 65
and younger, and one drink a
day for men over 65.
If you’re on insulin or other
medications that lower your
blood sugar, check your blood
sugar before you go to sleep
to make sure you’re at a safe
level.
Prevention Of Type 2 DiabetesHealthy lifestyle
choices can help you
prevent type 2
diabetes. Even if you
have diabetes in your
family, diet and
exercise can help you
prevent the disease. If
you’ve already
received a diagnosis of
diabetes, you can use
healthy lifestyle
choices to help prevent
complications. And if
you have prediabetes,
lifestyle changes can
slow or halt the
progression from
prediabetes to
diabetes.
Everything You Need To Know About Diabetes
Diabetes Support Site Website
http://diabetessupportsite.com