What is type 2 diabetes?
This is a disorder that disrupts how the body uses sugar. It is sometimes called “type 2 diabetes mellitus.”
There are 2 different types of diabetes:
●In type 1 diabetes, the pancreas makes little or no insulin.
●In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas still makes some insulin, but the cells in the body stop responding normally. Eventually, the pancreas cannot make enough insulin to keep up.
What are the symptoms of type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes usually causes no symptoms. When symptoms do happen, they include:
●Needing to urinate often
●Intense thirst
●Blurry vision
Can diabetes lead to other health problems?
Yes. Type 2 diabetes might not make you feel sick. But if it is not managed, it can lead to serious problems over time, such as:
●Heart attack
●Stroke
●Kidney disease
●Vision problems (or even blindness)
●Pain or loss of feeling in the hands and feet
●Needing to have fingers, toes, or other body parts removed (amputated)
How do I know if I have type 2 diabetes?
Your doctor or nurse can do a blood test. There are 2 tests that can be used for this. Both involve measuring the amount of sugar in your blood, called your “blood sugar” or “blood glucose”:
How is type 2 diabetes treated?
The goals of treatment are to manage your blood sugar and lower the risk of future problems that can happen in people with diabetes.
Treatment might include:
●Lifestyle changes – This is an important part of managing diabetes. It includes eating healthy foods and getting plenty of physical activity.
●Medicines – Many medicines can help lower blood sugar. Some people need to take pills or get shots to help the body make more insulin or to help insulin do its job. Others need insulin shots.
Can type 2 diabetes be prevented?
Yes. To lower your chances of getting type 2 diabetes, the most important thing you can do is eat a healthy diet and get plenty of physical activity. This can help you lose weight if you have excess body weight. But eating well and being active are also good for your overall health. Even gentle activity, like walking, has benefits.
If you smoke, quitting can also lower your risk of type 2 diabetes.