About Type 2 Sugar Diabetes

Type 2 sugar diabetes, or adult-onset or noninsulin-dependent diabetes, is considered the most common form of the disease. It is a chronic condition characterized by high level of glucose, or sugar, in the blood. Left untreated, type 2 diabetes can be life-threatening. Though there is no cure, simple lifestyle changes or medication can help to manage and prevent type 2 diabetes.

Causes and Risk Factors

• When the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or cells become resistant to insulin, sugar builds up in the bloodstream. The body is unable to effectively metabolize sugar, a main source of energy for muscle and tissue cells.


• Being overweight, and excess fat causes this resistance to insulin.


• Lack of exercise is a risk factor. Regular exercise will help keep weight down, use glucose as energy, and make the cells more sensitive to insulin.


• Family history of diabetes increases risks.


• It is most commonly found in African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, Native Hawaiians, Asian Americans and adults over the age of 45.


• Prediabetes and gestational diabetes increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Symptoms

• Increased hunger


• Increased thirst and frequent urination


• Weight loss


• Blurred vision


• Fatigue


• Frequent infections


• Patches of dark, velvety skin in body creases

Complications

• Neuropathy, or nerve damage, that causes numbness, tingling or burning in the toes or fingers. If the blood sugar is not controlled, it can cause loss of feeling in the limbs.


• Nephropathy, or kidney damage, can cause kidney failure or irreversible kidney disease requiring dialysis or a transplant.


• Increased risk of cardiovascular disease. According to the American Heart Association, the death rate from heart problems is two to four times higher for diabetics.


• Diabetic retinopathy can lead to cataracts, glaucoma and blindness.


• Foot damage due to nerve damage or poor blood flow can result in infections and even amputation.


• Bacterial and fungal infections.


• Osteoporosis.


• Alzheimer’s disease.

Treatment

• Blood sugar monitoring once a day, or several times a week.


• Eating healthy, including fruits, vegetables and whole grains in a balanced diet.


• Exercising at least 30 minutes, five days a week.


• Diabetes medications or insulin therapy.