Type 2 Diabetes: an American Epidemic

According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA) there are over 14,000,000 Americans who have been diagnosed with diabetes and the number is growing each day. Another 6,000,000 Americans are living with diabetes and don't even know it. Many people, even those that have been diagnosed with the disease do not have an adequate understanding of how this disease affects the body. For example some people believe that type 2 diabetes in caused by the increased consumption of sugar. This is simply not true. Type 2 diabetes is caused by a complicated interplay between genetics and a sedentary lifestyle.

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder in which the body either does not produce enough insulin or the body is resistant to the insulin being produced. Insulin is a hormone that facilitates the introduction of glucose or sugar into the bodies cells. Cells use glucose as energy. In normal people the glucose is removed from the blood stream and used by the bodies cells and excess glucose is stored in the liver and released when the body needs additional energy. People with type 2 diabetes don't have the ability or have a decreased ability to use the glucose produced by the body through the consumption of carbohydrates. This is the result of insufficient production or increased tolerance to insulin. The glucose flows unchecked through the blood stream as the bodies cells starve. The kidneys in type II diabetics work overtime dumping the high levels of glucose into the urine and at the same time the liver begins to release more glucose in response to the bodies cells need for additional energy. This explains the three main symptoms of type 2 diabetes frequent urination, extreme thirst, and chronic fatigue. Since the disease progresses slowly type 2 diabetics may not even notice there is anything wrong. The long term consequences of type 2 diabetes are devastating. It can lead to blindness, nerve damage, kidney failure, heart disease, and if left untreated death.

Living with diabetics requires some drastic life style changes. Type 2 diabetics need to understand their disease. They need to monitor their diet and blood sugar levels. They need to begin to exercise regularly. If found early enough type 2 diabetes can be controlled through diet and exercise alone. Diabetics need to control the levels of glucose in their blood streams and attempt to regulate it. Unfortunately, most of the foods we consume are transformed into glucose by our bodies. All carbohydrates become glucose in the bloodstream, only proteins and fats are exempt. However, diabetics are not encouraged to consume a high protein, high fat diets because of the additional risk of heart diseases associate with diabetes. Also weight loss has proven to be an effective treatment for the diseases. Type 2 diabetics are encouraged to eat limited amounts of carbohydrates coupled with protein and a small amount of fat in small meals throughout the day. Experts suggest that diabetics eat at least 6 times a day. This way they are not overloading their already impaired metabolisms with large quantities of carbohydrates three times each day. Exercise is also important. Exercises actually helps reduce blood sugar levels not only during the workout but for several hours afterwards. Diabetics are encouraged to develop a daily exercise routine.

Type 2 diabetics who are diagnosed late or who are unable or unwilling to make the needed lifestyle changes require additional help to maintain normal blood glucose levels. There are two forms of treatment oral medication or insulin.. Until about 10 years ago the oral medications available in the Unites States either decreased production of glucose by the liver or increased the production of insulin by the pancreas. Today there are a large variety of oral medications available which lower glucose levels by other mechanisms. Insulin is usually the last resort to control blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetics because it requires injections. There are many different types of insulin available today. There are mixtures of long and short acting insulin as while as insulin that can be taken once a day. Most type 2 diabetics have greater control over blood glucose levels through the use of insulin. A new inhaled from of insulin has recently been made available.

All type 2 diabetics need to become familiar with how their bodies react to different foods and are encourages to measure glucose levels at least twice a day. This measurement will allow them to have far greater control of their blood sugar levels and use insulin in appropriate quantities. Measuring blood sugar levels has become easier over the years with the appearance of numerous blood glucose monitoring devices. Diabetics are encouraged to educate themselves regarding the normal ranges for fasting glucose levels as well as pre and post meal blood glucose levels. Doctors also recommend that diabetics have a blood test called a glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C) level every 3 months. This test is more valuable to the physician than a random one time glucose level because the test actually measures the patients average blood sugar level over the course of a 3 month period. Diabetics should have a value of less that 7.0%.

With regular control of blood sugar levels type 2 diabetics can avoid some of the devastating consequences of this disease. Blindness as a result of diabetic retinopathy and general nerve damage (also known as neuropathy) has been directly attributed to having increased blood sugar levels over a long period of time. Diabetic retinopathy is caused by damage to the optic nerve and the retina. The nerves are very sensitive to blood glucose levels and higher levels cause damage over time. The amputations associated with diabetes are a direct result of diabetic neuropathy. As the nerve cells begin to die people with diabetics lose feeling in their extremities. As a result pain signals from an injury are not transmitted to the brain. If left untreated this can lead to infection and since diabetics heal slowly the need for amputation may arise. Other complications include kidney failure and increased risk of heart disease or stroke.

Diabetics who make appropriate lifestyle changes including monitoring and controlling their blood glucose levels can postpone or avoid many diabetic complications. If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes do not put off making necessary lifestyle changes, follow your physicians directions, and get those blood sugar levels under control. Sign up for a diabetic education course. Courses like this are available a many local hospitals. Take the time to get to know and understand your disease because your live literally depends upon it. If you want more information about diabetes check-out the ADA website. http://www.diabetes.org/about-diabetes.jsp