Risk Factors and Prevention
It works to stop the liver from making excess glucose, and has a low risk of hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia, or very low blood sugar can cause symptoms such as sweating , nervousness, heart palpitations , weakness , intense hunger, trembling, and problems speaking. Many patients lose some weight taking metformin, which is also helpful for blood sugar control.
Sulfonureas and meglitinides are classes of drugs also prescribed for treatment. These drugs cause the pancreas to release more insulin. Since the pancreas can only work so hard, these drugs have a limited duration of usefulness. Canagliflozin Invokana and dapagliflozin Farxiga are oral medications prescribed to treat type 2 diabetics.
These drugs belong to the drug class referred to as sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 SGLT2 inhibitors. These drugs work by stopping the absorption of glucose in the kidneys, enabling some of it to be urinated out. For people who want to avoid drugs, taking an aggressive approach to healthy eating plan and lifestyle change is an option. It isn't easy, but if someone is very committed and motivated, lifestyle changes can be enough to maintain a healthy blood sugar level and to lose weight.
Learning about a healthy diabetes diet a low glycemic load diet can be an good place to start. Do people with type 2 diabetes have to take insulin? Insulin is only recommended for individuals for type 2 diabetics when they have not been able to get blood sugars low enough to prevent complications through other means. To avoid insulin, those with this health condition should work very hard to follow a healthy eating plan that includes a lot of vegetables and lean proteins, exercise every day, and keep stress in perspective.
They also should take their oral drugs regularly. It can be difficult to follow these recommendations and the help of your doctor, nutritionist, diabetes educator, health coach, or integrative medicine practitioner may be helpful. If you who want to avoid taking medicine, work with health professionals who are knowledgeable about lifestyle medicine, and can help you understand how to fit the changes into your life.
What if I have type 2 diabetes and become pregnant? If you are a diabetic and are pregnant you can have a normal, healthy pregnancy , but you need to take extra steps to avoid gaining excess weight and high blood sugars. Lifestyle habits eating primarily vegetables and lean protein and exercising every day will prevent problems during pregnancy. If you are a diabetic and become pregnant, monitor your blood sugar levels often.
Talk with your doctor about exploring additional health care professionals, for example, a nutritionist, health coach, or naturopathic doctor about a healthy eating plan. If your blood sugar gets out of control you may:. What are the complications of type 2 diabetes? If you have diabetes you have a higher risk of heart disease and heart attack. Because of this, it is important to control cholesterol and high blood pressure in addition to blood sugar.
The good news is that all of these diseases are responsive to healthy lifestyle changes. I also agree to receive emails from MedicineNet and I understand that I may opt out of MedicineNet subscriptions at any time. Can type 2 diabetes be prevented? A healthy lifestyle can prevent almost all cases of type 2 diabetes. What is the prognosis and life-expectancy for someone with type 2 diabetes?
Some research shows that people with type 2 diabetes may die 10 years earlier than those without diabetes. Most people with the disease die of secondary complications of it, for example kidney failure or heart disease.
However, with good blood sugar control and healthy lifestyle choices complications can be prevented. Which specialties of doctors treat type 2 diabetes? Adult and pediatric endocrinologists, specialists in treating hormone imbalances and disorders of the endocrine system, are experts in helping patients with diabetes manage their disease. People with the disease also may be cared for by a number of primary care providers including family or internal medicine practitioners, naturopathic doctors, or nurse practitioners.
When complications arise, these patients often consult other specialists, including neurologists, gastroenterologists, ophthalmologists, acupuncturists, surgeons, and cardiologists. Nutritionists, integrative and functional medicine doctors, and physical activity experts such as personal trainers are also important members of a diabetes treatment team.
It is important to interview a new health care professional about their experience, expertise, and credentials to make sure they are well qualified to help you. Take this quiz to evaluate your type 2 diabetes. Learn the definition, symptoms, signs, treatment, medications, and diet. What medications do you take for type 2 diabetes and have they been effective in managing the disease? A type 2 diabetes diet or a type 2 diabetic diet is important for blood sugar glucose control in people with diabetes to prevent complications of diabetes.
There are a variety of type 2 diabetes diet eating plans such as the Mediterranean diet, Paleo diet, ADA Diabetes Diet, and vegetarian diets. Learn about low and high glycemic index foods, what foods to eat, and what foods to avoid if you have type 2 diabetes.
The definition of a genetic disease is a disorder or condition caused by abnormalities in a person's genome. Some types of genetic inheritance include single inheritance, including cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia, Marfan syndrome, and hemochromatosis.
Other types of genetic diseases include multifactorial inheritance. Still other types of genetic diseases include chromosome abnormalities for example, Turner syndrome, and Klinefelter syndrome , and mitochondrial inheritance for example, epilepsy and dementia.
Hemoglobin A1c or HbA1c is a protein on the surface of red blood cells. The HbA1c test is used to monitor blood sugar levels in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes over time. HbA1c levels can be affected by insulin use, fasting, glucose intake oral or IV , or a combination of these and other factors.
High hemoglobin A1c levels in the blood increases the risk of microvascular complications, for example:. Elevated homocysteine levels in the blood called hyperhomocysteinemia, is a sign that the body isn't producing enough of the amino acid homocysteine.
People with homocystinuria die at an early age. Symptoms of hyperhomocysteinemia include developmental delays, osteoporosis, blood clots, heart attack, heart disease, stroke, and visual abnormalities. Supplementing the diet with folic acid and possibly vitamins B6 and B12 supplements can lower homocysteine levels. Currently there is no direct proof that taking folic acid and B vitamins lower homocysteine levels and prevent heart attacks and strokes. Talk to your doctor if you feel you need to have your homocysteine blood levels checked.
Insulin resistance is the diminished ability of cells to respond to the action of insulin in transporting glucose sugar from the bloodstream into muscle and other tissues. There are no signs or symptoms of insulin resistance. Causes of insulin can include conditions such as stress, obesity, metabolic syndrome, and steroid use.
Some of the risk factors for insulin resistance include fatty liver, heart disease, strokes, peripheral vascular disease, high cholesterol, and smoking. Treatment for insulin resistance are lifestyle changes and if necessary, medication. Type 2 Diabetes - Experience Patient Comments: Readers Comments 1 Share Your Story. Quick Guide Diabetes Diet: Type 2 Diabetes Diet Plans Diet recommendations for people with type 2 diabetes include a vegetarian or vegan diet, the American Diabetes Association diet which also emphasizes exercise , the Paleo Diet, and the Mediterranean diet.
Learn the Warning Signs. Test Your Medical IQ. Readers Comments 2 Share Your Story. Diabetes in the UK Key statistics on diabetes. Malik VS, et al. Related Article Type 2 Diabetes: Post Type 2 Diabetes - Symptoms What symptoms did you have before you were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes? Post Type 2 Diabetes - Medications What medications do you take for type 2 diabetes and have they been effective in managing the disease?
Post Type 2 Diabetes - Diet What foods have you found helpful in managing your type 2 diabetes? Post View 2 Comments. For people with diabetes, too much glucose in the blood can cause serious foot complications such as nerve damage, infection, and ulcers.
Find tips for proper foot care to help prevent serious complications. Diabetes is a chronic condition characterized by high levels of sugar glucose in the blood. The two types of diabetes are referred to as type 1 insulin dependent and type 2 non-insulin dependent. Symptoms of diabetes include increased urine output, thirst, hunger, and fatigue. Treatment of diabetes depends on the type. Take the Diabetes Quiz and learn the causes, signs, symptoms, and types of this growing epidemic.
What does diabetes have to do with obesity and diet? Learn about life as a diabetic. Discover the best and worst meals for diabetes-savvy dining. See how to avoid carbs and control your blood sugar with healthier meal combinations that retain all the foods and flavors you love.
Diabetic retinopathy, a common complication of diabetes, affects the blood vessels in the retina the thin light-sensitive membrane that covers the back of the eye. See a picture of Diabetic Retinopathy and learn more about the health topic.
Gastroparesis is a medical condition in which the muscle of the stomach is paralyzed by a disease of either the stomach muscle itself or the nerves controlling the muscle. As a consequence, food and secretions do not empty normally from the stomach.
Gastroparesis symptoms are nausea and vomiting; abdominal bloating, and pain can result. High hemoglobin A1c levels in the blood increases the risk of microvascular complications, for example: If you have type 2 diabetes your body does not use insulin properly. This is called insulin resistance.
At first, your pancreas makes extra insulin to make up for it. But, over time it isn't able to keep up and can't make enough insulin to keep your blood glucose at normal levels. With the correct treatment and recommended lifestyle changes, many people with diabetes are able to prevent or delay the onset of complications. Do you have a new diabetes diagnosis?
Need a survival plan? Our step-by-step book of basic diabetes education tells you what to do next! Bariatric surgery Gastric Bypass or Laparoscopic Gastric Banding is sometimes considered for adults with a body mass index BMI above 35 and type 2 diabetes.
Let us guide you during your first year with six informational packets to help you learn to live well with diabetes. This two-page introduction to type 2 diabetes is in PDF format so you can download it, print it, and hand it out to patients. Help change the conversation about type 2 diabetes. Fill your senses with Southwestern and Mexican dishes that are easy, fulfilling, and—surprisingly—healthy.
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Facts About Type 2 Read more about type 2 diabetes and how it affects the body. Recently Diagnosed Get the information and support you need during the early weeks and months after your diagnosis. This resource will give you the first steps for managing your type 2 diabetes. Blood Glucose Testing Learn how to test your blood glucose blood sugar with the latest tools.
