Diabetes type 2 also known as non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease which appears when the insulin produced by the pancreas can not reduce the blood level of glucose.
Sometimes diabetes appears when insulin is not produced in a sufficient quantity by the pancreas.
The role of insulin is to take the glucose from the blood and lead it inside the body cells which use it to produce energy.
If the level of glucose is too high in blood it will be eliminated by the kidneys in urine.
Diabetes type 1 is known to occur during childhood and was named as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.
The pancreas is not able to produce the insulin any more as the cells responsible to this process have been destroyed by the body.
These patients require insulin injections permanently.
Diabetes type 2 occurs mostly during adulthood and is found in 90% of the diabetic patients.
In this case the insulin is not produced in sufficient quantities or it is not effective on the body cells.
This type of diabetes occurs mostly in obese people and in those who have high levels of cholesterol in blood.
Elder people can get affected of this type of diabetes too.
There is another type of diabetes called the gestational diabetes which sometimes occurs in women who are pregnant.
Genetics and family history also have an important role in determining whether diabetes type 2 will install or not.
Also, having a sedentary lifestyle, eating junk food will only increase the risk of developing this affection.
Some other risk factors are: the age over 45, high blood pressure, HDL less than 35 mg/dl, triglycerides more than 250 mg/dl and a previous history of personal impaired glucose tolerance.
Most of the diabetes type 2 cases do not present any symptoms at all.
In some cases increased thirst, appetite and urination might occur along with blurred vision, fatigue, infections, and erectile dysfunctions.
Diagnosing diabetes is made after the doctor sees the results of some tests.
He will ask for fasting blood glucose level (it has to be higher than 126 mg/dl in order for the patient to have diabetes); non-fasting blood glucose level which leads to a suspicion of diabetes if higher than 200 mg/dl and along with symptoms of increased thirst, urination, and fatigue; and positive oral glucose tolerance test (if found higher than 200 mg/dl after 2 hours).
The treatment of diabetes focuses on eliminating the symptoms and keeping the blood glucose levels under control.
At first the doctor will recommend the patient to exercise daily and to keep a diet.
Also, monitoring regularly the level of glucose in blood is essential for further treatment measures.
If weight is being reduced type 2 diabetes can be managed quite easily along with keeping a diet and exercising.
The doctor will help the patient to test his level of glucose in blood by its own; will let him know what he is allowed to eat and what he must avoid; will advise him what to do when he feels sick and will tell him where he can procure his diabetes supplies.
Testing the level of glucose in blood can be done by the patient without the doctor's help.
These tests are usually done before meals and at bedtime.
The patient will monitor its level of glucose in blood with the help of a glucometer.
This device shows quickly the results, in about 30 seconds.
All the patient needs to do is prick his finger with a small needle attached to the glucometer and a drop of blood will appear on the finger.
This drop of blood will be then placed on the glucometer's test strip and the results will appear in no time.
By keeping a record of the values obtained in several days by the glucometer the doctor will be able to set a more adequate treatment scheme for the patient.
Keeping a diet is very important along with exercising as it can help the overweight patient reach a satisfying weight and reduce the glucose level in blood in this way.
The diet will be also set by the doctor and a nutritionist who will choose healthy foods for the patient, in adequate amounts, and will also set a schedule for taking meals.
Sometimes diabetes appears when insulin is not produced in a sufficient quantity by the pancreas.
The role of insulin is to take the glucose from the blood and lead it inside the body cells which use it to produce energy.
If the level of glucose is too high in blood it will be eliminated by the kidneys in urine.
Diabetes type 1 is known to occur during childhood and was named as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.
The pancreas is not able to produce the insulin any more as the cells responsible to this process have been destroyed by the body.
These patients require insulin injections permanently.
Diabetes type 2 occurs mostly during adulthood and is found in 90% of the diabetic patients.
In this case the insulin is not produced in sufficient quantities or it is not effective on the body cells.
This type of diabetes occurs mostly in obese people and in those who have high levels of cholesterol in blood.
Elder people can get affected of this type of diabetes too.
There is another type of diabetes called the gestational diabetes which sometimes occurs in women who are pregnant.
Genetics and family history also have an important role in determining whether diabetes type 2 will install or not.
Also, having a sedentary lifestyle, eating junk food will only increase the risk of developing this affection.
Some other risk factors are: the age over 45, high blood pressure, HDL less than 35 mg/dl, triglycerides more than 250 mg/dl and a previous history of personal impaired glucose tolerance.
Most of the diabetes type 2 cases do not present any symptoms at all.
In some cases increased thirst, appetite and urination might occur along with blurred vision, fatigue, infections, and erectile dysfunctions.
Diagnosing diabetes is made after the doctor sees the results of some tests.
He will ask for fasting blood glucose level (it has to be higher than 126 mg/dl in order for the patient to have diabetes); non-fasting blood glucose level which leads to a suspicion of diabetes if higher than 200 mg/dl and along with symptoms of increased thirst, urination, and fatigue; and positive oral glucose tolerance test (if found higher than 200 mg/dl after 2 hours).
The treatment of diabetes focuses on eliminating the symptoms and keeping the blood glucose levels under control.
At first the doctor will recommend the patient to exercise daily and to keep a diet.
Also, monitoring regularly the level of glucose in blood is essential for further treatment measures.
If weight is being reduced type 2 diabetes can be managed quite easily along with keeping a diet and exercising.
The doctor will help the patient to test his level of glucose in blood by its own; will let him know what he is allowed to eat and what he must avoid; will advise him what to do when he feels sick and will tell him where he can procure his diabetes supplies.
Testing the level of glucose in blood can be done by the patient without the doctor's help.
These tests are usually done before meals and at bedtime.
The patient will monitor its level of glucose in blood with the help of a glucometer.
This device shows quickly the results, in about 30 seconds.
All the patient needs to do is prick his finger with a small needle attached to the glucometer and a drop of blood will appear on the finger.
This drop of blood will be then placed on the glucometer's test strip and the results will appear in no time.
By keeping a record of the values obtained in several days by the glucometer the doctor will be able to set a more adequate treatment scheme for the patient.
Keeping a diet is very important along with exercising as it can help the overweight patient reach a satisfying weight and reduce the glucose level in blood in this way.
The diet will be also set by the doctor and a nutritionist who will choose healthy foods for the patient, in adequate amounts, and will also set a schedule for taking meals.
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