What is Diabetes
Type 2 ?
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of
diabetes and accounts for 90% of cases. Sufferers of
diabetes type 2 either do not produce sufficient insulin,
or are unable to use the insulin they do produce
efficiently. Many people with type 2 diabetes do not
realise they have the disease, and consequently it can
lead to complications such as blindness and heart
disease.
Who is at risk
from Type 2 Diabetes ?
The actual causes of diabetes are still unclear,
but we do know that they are a combination of genetic and
envorinmental causes. There are many factors that can
increase your chances of developing diabetes; the major
one is being overweight.
80% of people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes are
overweight, and the heavier you are the higher risk you
have. For women, a waist size of over 31.5inches (80cm)
presents a high risk of diabetes type ii. For white or
black men, the measurement is 37 inches (94cm), and for
Asian men it is 35 inches (90cm).
If you are over 40 years old you have an
increased risk of type two diabetes, particularly if you
have a close relative, such as a parent or sibling that
has had the disease. You are also at an increased risk if
you have had a heart attack or stroke, if you have high
blood pressure, or if you have circulation
problems.
Women who have polycystic
ovaries and are overweight
have an increased risk of type two diabetes, as do those
who have had temporary gestational diabetes while
pregnant, or who have given birth to a large
baby.
There are two
conditions that raise the glucose level in your blood, and put
you at increased risk from diabetes type 2, which are
impaired fasting glycaemia (IFG) or impaired glucose tolerance
(IGT). Eating healthily, losing weight and exercising regularly
can help you to ensure these conditions do not progress to
diabetes type two.
How is Diabetes
Type 2 treated ?
Generally type 2 diabetes will be treated
initially with lifestyle changes such as attention to
diet, weight loss and increased activity, rather than by
taking regular doses of insulin.
Trying to balance your diet when you are
diagnosed with diabetes can be daunting, particularly if
you are trying to lose weight at the same time. Planning
a healthy type 2 diabetes diet can take time and
research. Check out some type two diabetes diet recipes
to get some ideas for healthy meals.
For an effective type two diabetes diet you
should try to eat a wide range of healthy foods, and aim
to make small gradual changes in what you eat. Making
dramatic changes, or only eating one or two types of food
will decrease your chances of sticking to your diet, and
will not be healthy in the long run.
In addition to lifestyle changes, your doctor
may also recommend medication to normalise your blood
sugar levels. There are several types of tablet that can
help the pancreas to produce more insulin, help your body
make better use of the insulin you have, or limit the
absorption of insulin during digestion.
Type two diabetes is a progressive disease, and
if your blood sugar levels can not be controlled by
lifestyle changes or the tablets mentioned above, your
doctor may decide that daily insulin injections are
necessary.
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