Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 Diabetes – What is it?
The United States are currently in the midst of diabetes epidemic. The disease has increased so rapidly that it resembles an infection, although it is in fact a disease. Studies show that five to 10 percent of the population of the United States suffers from diabetes, and 90 to 95 percent of those are type 2.
The prevalence of type 2 diabetes among African Americans and Hispanic Americans is some 12 to 13 percent. For United States residents aged 65 years or above, the prevalence rises to 25%. Experts dictate that the upsurge of type 2 diabetes is mainly down to one cause – that of the increase of inactivity and obesity. However, inactivity and obesity alone are not the only reason.
Reasons for Type 2 Diabetes
Other than physical inactivity and obesity a sufferer must also have inherited insulin resistance – type 2 diabetes is an inherited disease.
Should you have an identical twin and he or she has type 2 diabetes, then in turn you are almost 100 percent likely to also have it. If your parents have the disease, then you have 25 percent chance of developing it also.
A resistance to insulin simply means that your insulin fails to function as it should. Should you inherit insulin resistance it means that in effect, your insulin is incapable of moving sugar from the blood stream to your muscles and liver. Henceforth, the sugar level within your blood rises.
Insulin resistance may be present 15 to 20 years prior to diabetes diagnosis. The fundamental response to insulin resistance is for the body to produce more insulin, but the ability diminishes over time. The reason for this is that the beta cells, also known as islet cells, within the pancreas die. The combination of a reduction of insulin in tandem with insulin resistance causes the blood sugar levels to increase. By the time diabetes is diagnosed, 50 percent or more of the beta cells have died. The precise reason for beta cell death in type 2 diabetes is not known, although it is likely to be due to an inherited component.
Treatment for Type 2 Diabetes
Once type 2 diabetes ensues, the options for treatment include oral medication, injectable medication, diet, and exercise.
Irrespective of symptoms, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends overweight people to be screened for diabetes should they have any of the risk factors given below:
Should you be predisposed to or you actually develop type 2 diabetes, it’s advisable to educate yourself about the disease. Early management will inevitably provide benefits over the long term.
The United States are currently in the midst of diabetes epidemic. The disease has increased so rapidly that it resembles an infection, although it is in fact a disease. Studies show that five to 10 percent of the population of the United States suffers from diabetes, and 90 to 95 percent of those are type 2.
The prevalence of type 2 diabetes among African Americans and Hispanic Americans is some 12 to 13 percent. For United States residents aged 65 years or above, the prevalence rises to 25%. Experts dictate that the upsurge of type 2 diabetes is mainly down to one cause – that of the increase of inactivity and obesity. However, inactivity and obesity alone are not the only reason.
Reasons for Type 2 Diabetes
Other than physical inactivity and obesity a sufferer must also have inherited insulin resistance – type 2 diabetes is an inherited disease.
Should you have an identical twin and he or she has type 2 diabetes, then in turn you are almost 100 percent likely to also have it. If your parents have the disease, then you have 25 percent chance of developing it also.
A resistance to insulin simply means that your insulin fails to function as it should. Should you inherit insulin resistance it means that in effect, your insulin is incapable of moving sugar from the blood stream to your muscles and liver. Henceforth, the sugar level within your blood rises.
Insulin resistance may be present 15 to 20 years prior to diabetes diagnosis. The fundamental response to insulin resistance is for the body to produce more insulin, but the ability diminishes over time. The reason for this is that the beta cells, also known as islet cells, within the pancreas die. The combination of a reduction of insulin in tandem with insulin resistance causes the blood sugar levels to increase. By the time diabetes is diagnosed, 50 percent or more of the beta cells have died. The precise reason for beta cell death in type 2 diabetes is not known, although it is likely to be due to an inherited component.
Treatment for Type 2 Diabetes
Once type 2 diabetes ensues, the options for treatment include oral medication, injectable medication, diet, and exercise.
Irrespective of symptoms, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends overweight people to be screened for diabetes should they have any of the risk factors given below:
- They belong to any one of the following high risk ethnic groups:
- African American
- Hispanic American
- Asian American
- Pacific Islander
- There is evidence of Acanthosis nigricans, which in layman terms is a darkening of certain bodily areas such as the neck or underarms
- There is a history of heart disease within the family
- They suffer from high blood pressure
- Family history of pregnancy associated diabetes
- There is a 1st degree family member with diabetes
- HDL-cholesterol is less than 35 mg/dl or triglycerides are higher than 250 mg/dl
- HA1c is 5.7% or above
Should you be predisposed to or you actually develop type 2 diabetes, it’s advisable to educate yourself about the disease. Early management will inevitably provide benefits over the long term.
