Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, it is one of the two main types of diabetes. Type 2 diabetes develops mostly in middle-aged and older adults who are overweight. Type 2 diabetes is when the pancreas produces some insulin but the body muscles, fat and liver cells can’t use it properly. If the insulin isn't used properly then the glucose (sugar) from foods can’t be used as energy and get into the blood cells where it is needed. As a result the glucose stays in the blood making the blood sugar level very high, which can cause many health issues if not treated properly. If type 2 diabetes isn't treated it can lead to health issues including, kidney damage, damage to the eyes, sexual impotence, damage to the nerves of the feet, poor blood circulation in the legs and feet (could lead to lower limb amputation), increased possibility of infections and increased possibility of heart disease and stroke.
What are the symptoms and treatments?
With type 2 diabetes many people have no symptoms at all and by the time they are diagnosed the problems such as poor blood circulation, increased possibility of infections, increased possibility of heart disease and stroke and damage to the kidneys, eyes and nerves in the feet many already be present. Symptoms of type 2 diabetes can include, itching, skin having cuts that heal slowly, always being excessively thirsty, feeling hungry, feeling tired and lethargic, feeling dizzy, gradually putting on weight, headaches, leg cramps, passing more urine, mood swings, blurred vision, and infections. To be certain a person has type 2 diabetes they will need a blood test.
People at risk of type 2 diabetes can delay or prevent it if they live a healthy lifestyle. They can maintain a healthy life style including regular physical activity, eating healthy food, maintaining a healthy weight, managing cholesterol levels, managing blood pressure and not smoking.
There is no cure for type 2 diabetes but there is medication people with type 2 diabetes can take. Treatment for type 2 diabetes include, taking insulin as either injections or tablets, regular exercise and healthy eating. If treatment is not taken then serious problems such as poor blood circulation, increased possibility of infections, increased possibility of heart disease and stroke and damage to the kidneys, eyes and nerves in the feet can occur.
What are the causes and how does it affect daily life?
The cause of type 2 diabetes is the body muscles, fat and liver cells can’t use insulin properly so the glucose can’t be used as energy in the blood cells. Type 2 diabetes is most common in middle-aged and older adults who are overweight. Scientist believe that genetics and environmental factors are the most likely cause of type 2 diabetes. The risk of developing type 2 diabetes is greatly increased if a person has high blood pressure, is overweight, or doesn't live a healthy life style. Type 2 diabetes can change someone’s daily life as they will need to change their diet so they are eating healthier food, performing regular exercise, self-testing their blood sugar levels, and taking insulin, tables or injections. All these aspects with have an impact on a person’s daily life.
With type 2 diabetes many people have no symptoms at all and by the time they are diagnosed the problems such as poor blood circulation, increased possibility of infections, increased possibility of heart disease and stroke and damage to the kidneys, eyes and nerves in the feet many already be present. Symptoms of type 2 diabetes can include, itching, skin having cuts that heal slowly, always being excessively thirsty, feeling hungry, feeling tired and lethargic, feeling dizzy, gradually putting on weight, headaches, leg cramps, passing more urine, mood swings, blurred vision, and infections. To be certain a person has type 2 diabetes they will need a blood test.
People at risk of type 2 diabetes can delay or prevent it if they live a healthy lifestyle. They can maintain a healthy life style including regular physical activity, eating healthy food, maintaining a healthy weight, managing cholesterol levels, managing blood pressure and not smoking.
There is no cure for type 2 diabetes but there is medication people with type 2 diabetes can take. Treatment for type 2 diabetes include, taking insulin as either injections or tablets, regular exercise and healthy eating. If treatment is not taken then serious problems such as poor blood circulation, increased possibility of infections, increased possibility of heart disease and stroke and damage to the kidneys, eyes and nerves in the feet can occur.
What are the causes and how does it affect daily life?
The cause of type 2 diabetes is the body muscles, fat and liver cells can’t use insulin properly so the glucose can’t be used as energy in the blood cells. Type 2 diabetes is most common in middle-aged and older adults who are overweight. Scientist believe that genetics and environmental factors are the most likely cause of type 2 diabetes. The risk of developing type 2 diabetes is greatly increased if a person has high blood pressure, is overweight, or doesn't live a healthy life style. Type 2 diabetes can change someone’s daily life as they will need to change their diet so they are eating healthier food, performing regular exercise, self-testing their blood sugar levels, and taking insulin, tables or injections. All these aspects with have an impact on a person’s daily life.