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Type 2 Diabetes is the most common form
of diabetes, affecting up to 90 % of all diabetics. The condition
develops when your body becomes resistant to the effects of insulin.
This means that insulin cannot get inside your fat and muscle cells
to produce energy. Alternatively, the pancreas may not be supplying
enough insulin to allow the body to maintain a normal glucose level.
This results in an abnormally high amount of sugar in the blood
(hyperglycemia).
The greatest risk factor for diabetes
is obesity. When we gain fat our insulin resistance increases. This,
in turn, places greater demands on the pancreas to produce insulin.
Physical inactivity, which often goes hand in hand with obesity, also
leads to an increase in insulin resistance. In the Western world,
about 90 % of Type 2 Diabetes cases are attributable to weight gain
leading to obesity. However Type 2 Diabetes can also occur in people
whoa re not overweight, especially the elderly.
With the alarming rise in childhood
obesity, the emergence of Type 2 Diabetes in childhood has become a
serious issue.
Other risk factors for Type 2 Diabetes
are ethnicity (African-Americans, Hispanic-Americans,
and Native Americans all have high rates of diabetes), family history
of diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride
levels, and age (those over 45 are in the highest risk category).
During the early stages of Type 2
Diabetes it can be easy to ignore the condition. You may feel good
and have no obvious symptoms. However, by allowing your blood to have
abnormal sugar levels you will be affecting every organ of your body,
including your heart, nerves, eyes and kidneys.
There are several complications
associated with Type 2 Diabetes:
Hypoglycemia: If your blood
sugar level drops below 70 mg/dL you will be in a hypoglycemic state.
This may occur as a result of taking insulin, exercising too
strenuously, skipping a meal or not adjusting your medication when
your blood sugar levels change. Symptoms are shakiness, dizziness,
nausea, slurred speech, weakness. In extreme cases you may go into a
coma. If you become hypoglycemic it is imperative that you eat
something that will quickly elevate your glucose level.
Diabetic Hypersmolar Syndrome: In
this case your blood sugar level becomes so high that your blood
actually becomes thick and syrupy. This will cause excessive thirst
and urination, weakness, leg cramps, confusion, convulsions and, in
extreme cases, coma. If your blood sugar level gets to a critical
stage (above 600 mg/dL) get immediate medical assistance. Neuropathy (Nerve Damage): Nerve
damage affects about half of all Type 2 Diabetics. Excessive amounts
of sugar in the blood are believed to damage the walls of the blood
vessels that nourish the nerves. The most common nerves to be
affected are those in the legs and arms. Initially you will feel a
tingling sensation that begins at the tips of the fingers and toes.
If left untreated you could eventually lose all sensation in the
affected area.
Nephropathy: Diabetes can damage
the delicate filtration system of your kidneys. Severe damage can
lead to kidney failure or irreversible end-stage renal disease, both
of which will require either a transplant or dialysis.
Retinopathy: Many Type 2
Diabetics will end up with damaged blood vessels in the retina of
their eyes. Cataracts and glaucoma may also result. Diabetes is the
leading cause of blindness in the adult population.
Cardiovascular disease: Diabetes
will greatly increase a person’s likelihood of suffering from
coronary artery disease, heart attack, stroke, narrowing of the
arteries and high blood pressure.
Immunity Suppression: Elevated
blood sugar levels suppress the immune system, increasing the risk of
infection.
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