Fw: [hearthealthy] Type 2 Diabetes Factsheet

[Guest guest]

--- On Mon, 10/19/09, RICHARD PIET <richard1piet wrote:

RICHARD PIET <richard1piet[hearthealthy] Type 2 Diabetes Factsheet08080808 , 090909 , 101010101010 , Basia , myprofilelist , myyahhoo , deliciousdiabeticrecipes , dietbypiet , healthyrecipes1 , lowgidiet , thewinediet , winediet , garlicforlife , HEALTHY-LIFE , hearthealthy , heart-surgery-alternatives , longevitysecrets , MEMORY-LOSS-REVERSAL , naturalcureskevint , naturalhealthcures Cc: windsor_ontario Date: Monday, October 19, 2009, 6:38 AM

 

 

 

 

 

Type 2 Diabetes(Diabetes Type 2, NIDDM) In this factsheet:

 

The Facts on Type 2 Diabetes

Causes of Type 2 Diabetes

Symptoms and Complications of Type 2 Diabetes

Diagnosing Type 2 Diabetes

Treating and Preventing Type 2 Diabetes

 

The Facts on Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetes is a condition in which the body cannot properly store and use fuel for energy. The body's main fuel is a form of sugar called glucose, which comes from food (after it's been broken down). Glucose enters the blood and is used by cells for energy. To use glucose, the body needs a hormone called insulin that's made by the pancreas. Insulin is important because it allows glucose to leave the blood and enter the body's cells. Diabetes develops when the body can't make any or enough insulin, or when it can't properly use the insulin it makes. For some people with diabetes, the body becomes resistant to insulin. In these cases, insulin is still produced, but the body does not respond to the effects of insulin as well. Whether from not enough insulin or the inability to use insulin properly, the result is high levels of glucose in the blood, or hyperglycemia.

There are two main types of diabetes: type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Over 90% of people with diabetes have the type 2 kind. Type 2 diabetes is also called noninsulin-dependen t diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) or adult onset diabetes. Although children may have type 2 diabetes, it more commonly starts after age 30 and becomes more common with age. About 15% of people over 70 have type 2 diabetes.

Some people do not have diabetes, but do not handle glucose as well as normal. This is called impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). Up to 40% of people with IGT will eventually develop type 2 diabetes.

Causes of Type 2 Diabetes

In type 2 diabetes, either the pancreas does not make enough insulin or the body does not use it properly. No one knows the exact cause of type 2 diabetes, but it's more likely to occur in people who:

 

are over 45 years of age

are overweight

have a family history of diabetes

developed gestational diabetes during a pregnancy

have given birth to a baby that is more than 9 lbs

Symptoms and Complications of Type 2 Diabetes

People with type 2 diabetes may not have symptoms for years or decades, but as the disease progresses, symptoms develop. People with type 2 diabetes may have the following signs and symptoms:

 

blurred sight

decreased sensation or numbness in the hands and feet

dry, itchy skin

frequent bladder and vaginal infections

frequent need to urinate

increased thirst and hunger

male impotence (erectile dysfunction)

slow healing of cuts or sores

tiredness

Unfortunately, many people with type 2 diabetes go undiagnosed for several years and are not diagnosed until they go to the doctor with complications of diabetes.

High blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia) can lead to a condition called glucose toxicity. This leads to further damage to the pancreas, and the body is less able to produce insulin. Without insulin, glucose levels continue to rise to levels that can cause damage to organs such as the eyes, nerves, and kidneys. These problems are similar to the complications associated with type 1 diabetes.

People with diabetes are at greater risk for problems that involve damage to small blood vessels and nerves due to high levels of glucose in the blood. They are also at a greater risk of developing hardening of large arteries (atherosclerosis), which can result in a heart attack, stroke, or poor blood flow to the legs. Damage to small blood vessels can affect the eyes, kidneys, and nerves. Damage to eyes, specifically the retina, is called diabetic retinopathy and is the leading cause of blindness. Damage to the kidneys, called diabetic nephropathy, can lead to kidney failure and the need for dialysis. Damage to the nerves that supply the legs and arms and gastrointestinal tract is called neuropathy. Some people with diabetes who develop peripheral neuropathy (damage to the nerves in the legs) and have poor blood flow to the legs may eventually need an amputation.

If blood glucose levels become very high, especially when there are other stresses such as infection, people with type 2 diabetes may become confused, dizzy, and have seizures. This can lead to a condition called non-ketonic hyperglycemia- hyperosmolar coma and requires immediate medical attention.

Fortunately, the complications of diabetes can be prevented, delayed, or slowed by controlling blood glucose levels to as close to the normal range as possible. The normal range is 4.0 mmol/L to 7.0 mmol/L (72 mg/dL to 126 mg/dL).

Continued... 1 | 2 | Next

..

Diagnosing Type 2 Diabetes

To diagnose diabetes, doctors will take a medical history (ask you about symptoms) and ask for blood and urine samples. Finding protein and sugar in the urine are signs of type 2 diabetes. Increased glucose and triglyceride (a type of lipid or fat) levels in the blood are also common findings. In most cases, blood glucose levels are checked after a person has been fasting for 8 hours. If the fasting blood glucose level is 7.0 mmol/L (126 mg/dL) or higher, a diagnosis of diabetes is made. If the fasting blood glucose level is between 6.1 mmol/L and 6.9 mmol/L (110 mg/dL and 125 mg/dL), the person has impaired fasting glucose and may later develop diabetes.

Diabetes is also diagnosed if a blood glucose level taken anytime of the day without regards to meals is 11.1 mmol/L (200 mg/dL) or higher plus you have symptoms characteristic of diabetes (e.g., increase thirst, increase urination, unexplained weight loss). A doctor may also examine the eyes for signs of damage to the blood vessels of the retina (back of the eye).

Treating and Preventing Type 2 Diabetes

The main goal of diabetes management is to maintain blood glucose levels within the normal range as much as possible. Weight control, diet, and exercise are all important components of management. The most important and main treatment for type 2 diabetes is nutritional. Although some people with this type of diabetes are thin, the majority of people (90%) are overweight. Losing weight, even 2 kg to 5 kg (5 lbs to 10 lbs) can help lower blood glucose levels. For many people, following a healthy diet and an exercise program may be all that is needed to help control glucose levels. For others, healthy eating and exercise alone aren't enough to lower blood glucose levels.

They may need to take medications in order to keep glucose levels within a healthy range. Medications for type 2 diabetes are usually taken by mouth in the form of tablets and should always be taken around meal times and as prescribed by the doctor. However, if blood glucose is not controlled by oral medications, a doctor may recommend insulin injections.

There are several types of oral diabetes medications, also called oral hypoglycemics, that work to lower blood glucose:

 

sulfonylureas: This family of medications includes chlorpropamide* , gliclazide, glimepiride, glyburide, and tolbutamide. These medications are widely recommended for type 2 diabetes and work by stimulating the pancreas to release more of its stored insulin and by increasing the effectiveness of insulin in the body. However, these medications don't work for type 1 diabetes.

biguanides: These medications include metformin and work to improve insulin sensitivity and to reduce the glucose produced by the liver.

acarbose: This type of medication prolongs the absorption of carbohydrates after a meal. For these pills to work, they must be taken with or after a meal.

thiazolidinediones: This family of medications includes pioglitazone and rosiglitazone and they work to improve insulin sensitivity.

meglitinides: This family of medications includes repaglinide and nateglinide lowers postprandial (after meals) glucose levels by stimulating the pancreas to release more of its stored insulin.

Doctors may recommend one or more types of medications to help control diabetes. While taking medications, it's important for people with diabetes to regularly test their blood glucose levels at home. There are many different blood glucose meters available on the market. Speak to a doctor or pharmacist about these meters to help you select the best meter for your needs.

As part of proper diabetes management, it is important to be aware of the symptoms of abnormal blood glucose levels, and know how to properly monitor your blood glucose levels using a home glucose meter. You should remember to always keep glucose tablets or candies containing sugar with you at all times to mange low blood glucose levels (hypoglycemia) . Symptoms of low blood glucose include:

 

cold, clammy skin

dizziness

headache

hunger

irritability

nausea

nervousness

rapid heart rate

shakiness

sweating

weakness

To prevent complications, it's important to follow your diabetes management plan with a well-balanced diet and exercise. If you take medications for your diabetes, it is important to take them exactly as prescribed by your doctor.

Here are some tips to help you stay healthy and prevent some of the long-term complications:

Foot care: Poor circulation and nerve damage caused by diabetes reduce sensitivity in the feet. It's important to check your feet regularly, looking for any blisters, cuts, or sores. Always keep your feet clean and dry and protect them by wearing socks and comfortable shoes.

Eye care: Eye problems (retinopathy) due to diabetes can lead to blindness. Therefore, have your eyes checked by an eye doctor (ophthalmologist) at least once a year. By treating problems early, serious complications can be avoided.

Skin care: High blood glucose and poor circulation can lead to skin problems such as slow healing after an injury or frequent infections. Make sure to wash every day with a mild soap and warm water, protect your skin by using sunscreen, take good care of any cuts or scrapes with proper cleansing and bandaging, and see your doctor when cuts heal slowly or if an infection develops.

Education: People with diabetes should learn as much as possible about this condition and how to manage it. The more you know about your condition, the better prepared you are to manage it on a daily basis. Many hospitals offer diabetes education programs and many nurses and pharmacists have been certified to provide diabetes education. Contact a local hospital, doctor, or pharmacist to find out about programs and diabetes educators in your area.

 

*All medications have both common (generic) and brand names. The brand name is what a specific manufacturer calls the product (e.g., Tylenol®). The common name is the medical name for the medication (e.g., acetaminophen) . A medication may have many brand names, but only one common name. This article lists medications by their common names. For information on a given medication, check our Drug Information database. For more information on brand names, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.

Previous | 1 | 2 |