What is Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetes, also referred to as diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder wherein the blood glucose level increases above the normal range. There are two main types of diabetes that are responsible for hyperglycemia or high blood sugar level in the body, type 1 diabetes (a condition when the body is not producing enough insulin) and type 2 diabetes (a condition wherein the body doesn't respond to insulin properly).

Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes, which the most common form of diabetes, is a condition in which the cells in the body do not use insulin properly. As we know glucose or sugar is the main source of energy for the cells in the body, which is produced by the liver and also comes from the food we eat. This glucose is carried by the blood to cells throughout the body with the help of insulin, a hormone secreted by pancreas. When the cells in the body do not respond properly to the insulin, the glucose build up in the blood leads to diabetes mellitus type 2.

During the early stages of type 2 diabetes the pancreas produce more and more insulin than the normal, but eventually it gets exhausted and secretes less insulin. Though the condition is more common in aged population, over the past few years there have been reported cases of type 2 diabetes in children. The actual type 2 diabetes causes are still not understood but studies shows the condition is more common in people who are over weight, have developed insulin resistance or have a strong family history of type 2 diabetes.

Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes
Although during the initial stages there are no signs and symptoms, here are some common type 2 diabetes symptoms which may vary from one person to another.

• Increased Thirst and Hunger: This is because excess sugar in the blood extracts the fluids from the tissues and since the cells are not getting enough glucose, the body gets depleted of energy.
• Nausea and Fatigue: As the cells are deprived of energy sugar supplies the muscle tissues and fat stores in the body shrink, which makes the person weak and tired.
• Blurred Vision: The elevated blood sugar level pulls the fluid from the lenses of the eyes which lead to vision problems like blurred vision.
• Frequent Urination: Due to increased thirst the sufferer drinks more water which makes him/her urinate more than normal.
• Frequent Infections: The disease affects the sufferer's ability to heal and resist infections, as a result the sores or wounds do not heal fast.
• Other Symptoms: Numbness or tingling of the hands or feet, weight loss, dry mouth, darkened skin areas or formation of dark patches in the folds or creases of the body are some other type 2 diabetes symptoms.

Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes
The long term risks or ill effects of type 2 diabetes may develop, if the disease is not treated in time. This includes some life-threatening health ailments like cardiovascular diseases such as heart attack, stroke, chest pain, high blood pressure and atherosclerosis (narrowing of blood vessels). Too much glucose in the blood vessels can even damage the nerves spreading to different parts of the body and lead to tingling, numbness, pain or burning sensation at the tips of toes or fingers. The disease also impacts the kidney's filtering mechanism which helps throw wastes and toxins from the body, hence type 2 diabetes patients are more prone to develop liver disease and kidney damage. As it can damage the blood vessels of the retina in the eye, the sufferers are also at a risk of having cataract or other eye infections.

Treatment for Type 2 Diabetes
The aim of type 2 diabetes treatment is to bring the elevated blood sugar levels to normal and for this the patient has to make some healthy changes in his/her diet and lifestyle. This brings us to a very obvious question that what to eat with type 2 diabetes. Well, your doctor will prescribe you a diabetic diet plan which will include foods that are high in nutrients and vitamins but low in sugar and calories. With this you need to incorporate some other type 2 diabetes prevention and treatment options like doing regular exercises such as running, swimming, cycling, etc. for regulating the normal blood sugar level and maintaining healthy weight. In most cases, the blood sugar level gets controlled with the diet, weight control and exercise alone, however in chronic cases of type 2 diabetes, your doctor will make some changes in your regular diabetic medications and may give you insulin injections, if the elevated blood sugar level doesn't drop.

Regular monitoring of your blood sugar level, following the recommended diabetic diet, taking your diabetic medications properly, exercising regularly, controlling weight, and leading a stress free life can surely help in type 2 diabetes prevention.