What is Diabetes Type 2?

Diabetes is a condition that occurs when the pancreas fails to produce enough insulin. Some people are born with this condition or has the onset of diabetes at an early age. This is called juvenile diabetes or type 1. Type 1 diabetes usually requires insulin injections. The onset of diabetes later in life is called type 2. Type 2 diabetes can be treated and in most cases prevented with simple lifestyle changes.

There have been several factors in the cause of diabetes type 2, but none are definitive. Some studies indicate heredity, obesity, and living a sedentary lifestyle. Also, there are insulin abnormalities that can be the cause of diabetes type 2.

Insulin Abnormalities-
Muscle cells can become resistant to insulin which make excessive insulin to compensate for the resistance. What then happens is a drop in insulin production.

Obesity-
Too much body fat causes the body to work harder to make insulin. Extra sugar is stored in the body as fat, which makes losing weight harder.

Heredity-
Having a sibling or parent who has diabetes means that your are more likely to develop diabetes.

Age-
Nearly 20% of adults over the age of 65 commonly have diabetes type 2.

Lifestyle-
Living a sedentary lifestyle is a cause of diabetes type 2. People who don't exercise at all are at greater risk than those who exercise even a small amount.

Making life decisions will reduce your risk of developing diabetes, and can help reverse the damage to an extent. Losing weight is first and foremost on the list of changes to be made. Getting exercise and drinking lots of water also helps considerably. If you have a parent, or brother or sister who has diabetes, have your doctor check you out. Keep watch on your own glucose levels, and make sure you catch problems as soon as they arise.

Gestational diabetes can also be a cause of diabetes type 2. Seeing a doctor as soon as you suspect you are pregnant will help catch symptoms early. Hypertension is another factor for diabetes. High blood pressure is also another medical problem that is inherited, so check your family history. If your blood pressure runs 140/90 mm Hg or higher, then you are at a greater risk, and should be treated before it can develop into something more.

Knowing your family history and having a good family doctor can help catch early signs of type 2 diabetes. Some symptoms include excessive thirst, frequent urination, excessive hunger, unexplained weight loss, or a general feeling of fatigue. Diabetes often goes undetected which can lead to serious complications, therefore it is extremely important to know the warning signs, especially if someone in your family has diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes can be treated with medications in the form of pills, or insulin injections. However, lifestyle changes such as your diet and getting enough exercise can be enough to lower blood sugar levels and medication may not or may no longer be needed. Know your body and know your family history, it could save your life.

Lucy Bushman is an accomplished niche website developer and author.



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