Type 2 Diabetes Management

All diabetic effects result from the high levels of blood glucose. Fortunately for present-day diabetics, there are many home devices for monitoring blood sugar levels regularly.

By monitoring your blood glucose the whole day, you get to know how your body responds to an exercise program, the various type of foods, meal schedules, and medications so that you can the results with your medical practitioner and have him help you to adjust your diabetic management to have it become more effective.

(1) -Symptoms of High Blood Sugar

Moderate symptoms of high blood sugar begin to appear when an individual continues to ingest large amounts of food or drink containing high glucose content or when already established hyperglycemia goes unchecked. In addition to increased hunger and thirst, the individual will experience dry mouth, blurred vision and a sudden onset of fatigue.

It is fairly challenging for a non-diabetic individual to reach this level of hyperglycemia simply from food intake alone; however it is common for a diabetic to experience these symptoms if they have not regulated their insulin properly.

Diabetics may also need to take a dose of insulin in tandem with rehydration to keep sugar levels from increasing.

(2) -Type 2 Diabetes Pathophysiology

Impaired insulin secretion and insulin resistance contribute more or less jointly to the development of Type 2 Pathophysiology conditions. Impaired insulin secretion Impaired insulin secretion is a decrease in glucose responsiveness, which is observed before the clinical onset of disease.

More specifically, impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) is induced by a decrease in glucose-responsive early-phase insulin secretion, and a decrease in additional insulin secretion after meals causes postprandial hyperglycemia. An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in IGT cases indicates an over-response in Western and Hispanic individuals, who have markedly high insulin resistance.

On the other hand, Japanese patients often respond to this test with decreased insulin secretion. Even when an over-response is seen in persons with obesity or other factors, they show a decrease in early phase secretory response. The decrease in early-phase secretion is an essential part of this disease and is extremely important as a basic Type 2 Pathophysiology change during the onset of disease in all ethnic groups

(3) -Causes of Diabetes

Diabetes develops as a result of your body's cells not getting enough insulin (a hormone which helps convert blood sugar/glucose into energy). This is usually because your pancreas fails to generate enough insulin or because your body's cells start to resist insulin.

Although we know what leads to the development of diabetes, we do not currently know why this happens in certain individuals and not others.

(4) -Type 2 Diabetes Symptoms

Fatigue

The body's muscles and organs' ability to use blood sugar for energy is hindered because of a lack of insulin. Without the energy normally provided by blood sugar, a person with diabetes will tire more quickly and feel run down.

Unintended Weight Loss

The inability of the body to properly process blood sugar into energy leads to another early symptom of diabetes--unintended weight loss. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, without energy from blood sugar, the body begins to process fat and muscle tissue into energy. This can lead to weight loss unrelated to changes in activity or diet.

Increased Urination

The increase of blood sugar because of the lack of insulin is also the culprit for increased urination. To rid the body of excessive sugar, the work harder, increasing the need to urinate.

In children

Excessive thirst and urination are also warning signs of type 2 diabetes. Beyond that, the symptoms differ. Children with type 2 diabetes often exhibit numbness or tingling in their hands and feet and itchiness. They can also have exhaustion, excessive hunger, blurry vision, and irritability. Sores and cuts will heal slowly, and children can have high blood pressure even at a young age. Acanthosis nigricans, dark and velvety-looking patches on the skin in the armpits or around the neck, can also be present.

(5) -Risk Factors for Diabetes

You are at risk for type 2 diabetes if you have a family history of the disease, are over 45 years of age, are Hispanic, black, Native American or Asian, have metabolic syndrome, are overweight, have abnormal cholesterol levels or have a history of gestational diabetes.

(6) -Complication of Type 2 Diabetes

People with type 2 diabetes are much more likely to contract other debilitating and potentially fatal diseases as a complication of their condition. Below are the top 5 potentially deadly complications of diabetes.

Diabetic neuropathy

Poor circulation and damage to the nerves affect up to 50% of people with diabetes. This can cause minor problems, including tingling, pain, numbness, or weakness in the extremities. Because of the reduced blood flow neuropathy can also cause foot ulcers severe enough to require amputation of the feet or legs.

Diabetic retinopathy

If you have diabetes for 15 years, you risk severe visual impairment and possibly even blindness. Visual impairment occurs due to a buildup of damage to the small blood vessels in the retina over a long period.

Kidney (renal) disease and kidney failure

There is no known medical cure for the renal disease, and, if it progresses to kidney failure, you may require life-long dialysis. Diabetes is one of the primary causes of kidney failure. Almost 20% of diabetics die of kidney failure.

Heart Disease and Stroke

Over 50% of people with diabetes have heart disease, and diabetics are 2 - 4 times as likely to have a stroke. Both of these conditions can be fatal.

Death

Diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. Overall, people with diabetes are twice as likely to die as a person without diabetes.