What Is Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetes is a disorder of the metabolism. In general terms it is an inability to reduce the blood sugar level and supply energy to the body. It can't do this because the hormone insulin that reduces the blood sugar is affected by the disease. There are three types of diabetes :

Type 1 diabetes,

Type 2 diabetes and

Gestational diabetes

Diabetes type 1 is thought to be an auto-immune disorder, in that the body's immune system destroys the beta cells in the pancreas that create insulin. Without insulin the blood sugar cannot be reduced.

Gestational diabetes is similar to diabetes type 2 but it only occurs during pregnancy and ends after the birth.

Type 2 diabetes is by far the most common of the three forms. It used to be called adult onset diabetes because it usually affected people over 40 but this is not the case nowadays. More children have type 2 than type 1 these days.

Although it is not exactly clear how we get the disease or why it is becoming particularly prevalent now, some theories have been proposed. The most popular theory is that our lifestyle makes us more susceptible to developing the disease. We don't exercise enough and we eat foods that are high in calories and fats that make our bodies unhealthy.

This is confirmed to some extent as 90% of type 2 diabetics are overweight but it is not the complete picture. There are some genetic traits that lead people to become type 2 diabetic. Evidence suggests that Hispanic, African American and Native Americans are more likely to develop the disease.

So what exactly is type 2 diabetes ?

In it's early stages, it is known as insulin resistance. This means that the body still produces insulin but that the insulin does not work properly or there is not enough of it to reduce the blood sugar level to a safe level.

It is often hard to notice as the symptoms can often be mild. Common symptoms of type 2 diabetes include constant thirst, frequent urination, always hungry, tiredness and blurred vision. It may also cause numbness in the feet and hands and itchy skin.

Generally insulin resistance makes the pancreas work harder to produce more insulin and this can worsen the condition. If this continues the person can develop type 2 diabetes.

Treatment for type 2 diabetes

There is no cure for diabetes, rather an ongoing course of action to limit the extent that the disease affects your lifestyle and preventing it from getting worse. This course of action requires a change in diet and regular exercise. A type 2 diabetic diet consists of adhering to the food pyramid.

Concentrate on eating carbohydrates, fresh fruit and vegetables. Avoid fatty foods, oils and sugary products. Protein does not affect the sugar level in the blood but eat it in moderation. Carbohydrates will produce most of the sugar that gets into the bloodstream so the quantity should be monitored. This can be worked out from experience or can be setup by a doctor or dietitian.

Try to take on regular exercise. The current theory is 30 minutes a day. This could be walking, cleaning the house or a sport or dancing. Anything really. If you intend to start a regular exercise program then consult your doctor beforehand.

Ultimately, diet and exercise are your best treatment for diabetes type 2 but drugs can be administered so that the body becomes more responsive to the insulin in the body.

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