The three main types of diabetes are
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease. An autoimmune disease results when the body’s system for fighting infection (the immune system) turns against a part of the body. In diabetes, the immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. The pancreas then produces little or no insulin. A person who has type 1 diabetes must take insulin daily to live.
At present, scientists do not know exactly what causes the body’s immune system to attack the beta cells, but they believe that autoimmune, genetic, and environmental factors, possibly viruses, are involved. Type 1 diabetes accounts for about 5 to 10 percent of diagnosed diabetes in the United States. It develops most often in children and young adults but can appear at any age.
Symptoms of type 1 diabetes usually develop over a short period, although beta cell destruction can begin years earlier. Symptoms may include increased thirst and urination, constant hunger, weight loss, blurred vision, and extreme fatigue. If not diagnosed and treated with insulin, a person with type 1 diabetes can lapse into a life-threatening diabetic coma, also known as diabetic ketoacidosis.
The most common form of diabetes is type 2 diabetes. About 90 to 95 percent of people with diabetes have type 2. This form of diabetes is most often associated with older age, obesity, family history of diabetes, previous history of gestational diabetes, physical inactivity, and certain ethnicities. About 80 percent of people with type 2 diabetes are overweight.
Type 2 diabetes is increasingly being diagnosed in children and adolescents. However, nationally representative data on prevalence of type 2 diabetes in youth are not available.
When type 2 diabetes is diagnosed, the pancreas is usually producing enough insulin, but for unknown reasons the body cannot use the insulin effectively, a condition called insulin resistance. After several years, insulin production decreases. The result is the same as for type 1 diabetes—glucose builds up in the blood and the body cannot make efficient use of its main source of fuel.
The symptoms of type 2 diabetes develop gradually. Their onset is not as sudden as in type 1 diabetes. Symptoms may include fatigue, frequent urination, increased thirst and hunger, weight loss, blurred vision, and slow healing of wounds or sores. Some people have no symptoms.
Some women develop gestational diabetes late in pregnancy. Although this form of diabetes usually disappears after the birth of the baby, women who have had gestational diabetes have a 20 to 50 percent chance of developing type 2 diabetes within 5 to 10 years. Maintaining a reasonable body weight and being physically active may help prevent development of type 2 diabetes.
About 3 to 8 percent of pregnant women in the United States develop gestational diabetes. As with type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes occurs more often in some ethnic groups and among women with a family history of diabetes. Gestational diabetes is caused by the hormones of pregnancy or a shortage of insulin. Women with gestational diabetes may not experience any symptoms.
Having a child diagnosed with a chronic illness such as diabetes can be devastating for a parent. One day the world is perfect and the next, your entire family is thrown into a whirlwind of doctor's visits, testing, maintenance, and lifestyle change.
When the initial shock has worn off, the attitude must become one of action. Diabetes can be treated and diabetic children can live very normal lives. The key to living as normal a life as possible is to educate all involved—yourself, your family, your child's school, and your child. Through education, a collaborative action plan can be enacted, and medical care becomes a commonplace occurrence.
Type 1 diabetes is the most common form affecting children
Most children have type 1 diabetes (formerly referred to as Juvenile Diabetes). In type 1 diabetes patients, the pancreas does not produce insulin. Therefore, insulin must be injected for the body to survive. Insulin aides the body by helping blood sugar (glucose) enter cells of the body where it is used as energy. When there is not insulin to accompany glucose into the body's cells, blood sugars build up and body function suffers.
Type 2 diabetes is less common in children, however, as the obesity epidemic among children increases, so does the incidence of Type 2 diabetes in youth. When a person has type 2 diabetes they either do not produce enough insulin or their bodies are unable to efficiently use the insulin produced (insulin resistance). A sedentary lifestyle and obesity increases the prevalence of insulin resistance in children.
Diabetes can develop at any age
Diabetes can present in children at any time. Even children younger than one year old can develop diabetes, but the symptoms in children so young are often mistaken for other health problems, or dismissed as normal, passing infections. This is why it is important to learn the symptoms associated with diabetes, and report even seemingly small abnormalities to your pediatrician.
Symptoms of diabetes
Look for the same symptoms in children as in adults for detection of diabetes. These symptoms include:
In young children, additional or different symptoms may present, including:
Diagnosis of diabetes in children
Doctors diagnose diabetes in children by running thorough blood and urine tests. Levels of glucose will be checked, as well as other diabetic markers. Expect your doctor to collect blood and urine for testing. Urine collection in very small children is done by placing a special collection bag over the penis or vaginal opening. Sticky-tape backed wings around the mouth of the collection bag hold it in place in the child's diaper until voiding occurs.
Caring for a child with diabetes
Children diagnosed with type 1 diabetes are immediately treated to combat the buildup of sugars in the blood and prevent further complications. Injections of insulin will be started so that blood sugars can be metabolized and reduced. If necessary, intravenous fluids will be administered to re-hydrate the child. When IV fluids are not needed and complications are not present, new diabetes patients are not usually hospitalized.
Your pediatrician will arrange for thorough diabetes education for you and your child (when age permits), as well as siblings. Diabetes education covers all aspects of controlling and maintaining the disease. Practical procedures such as how to administer insulin injections and blood testing will be discussed, as well as coping with the disease and all the associated emotions.
The dietary needs of children with type 1 diabetes are the same as children without the disease. It is important, however, to pay particular attention to good nutrition, and most importantly, eating frequently. Diabetic children cannot miss meals, as the insulin injected is calibrated to process dietary sugars, and when there is no source of sugar from the child's diet, the insulin will metabolize everything available in the blood. This results in a condition known as hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and serious complications can occur. Maintaining blood sugar at adequate levels is a balancing act which leaves no room for children to miss meals. Mealtimes should remain constant, given in relatively same sized portions and at the same time of day. Special 'diabetic' foods are unnecessary. Simply following a normal diet plan as advised by your doctor or dietician is the best course for all children.
Insulin is used by the body more quickly during times of increased physical activity, so children should eat more frequently when they are active as well. Additionally, diabetic children should have a supply of foods at the ready when symptoms of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) arise. Snacks such as fruit, peanut butter, granola bars, yogurt and pudding are a few good food supplies to keep nearby.
Diabetic children of all ages should be schooled in the control of their disease and recognition of complications to the extent their age allows. Education and involvement gives children a measure of control and helps them to alert caregivers when they are feeling poorly. Even very young children can be given the control of choosing where to test or inject insulin, all the while taking steps towards independent control of the disease they will live with.
Older children are encouraged to take an active role in their treatment and disease maintenance. Children as young as eleven can test their own blood and administer insulin injections with adult supervision. As parents, you may feel ill at ease with this, but treating diabetes as part of mainstream living helps children cope with their disease without anxiety, and hence they go on to lead full and normal lives unhindered.
School and Daycare
Children with diabetes can participate normally in school and daycare, but it is important to inform the school and work with the school nurse to educate teachers and aides working closely with your child. School and daycare personnel need to know a diabetic child's need for frequent snacks and meals, and accommodations must be made for the child to eat more frequently than regularly planned if necessary.
The rights of diabetic children are protected under federal law. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Individuals with Disabilities Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1992 are three federal laws that protect the rights of children with diabetes in school and daycare settings (among others). Under these laws, diabetic children cannot be discriminated against and schools (or daycares) may be required to make necessary accommodations for your diabetic child if need be. These laws also mandate accommodations to seamlessly assimilate diabetic children into everyday school life and activities.
A very important part of educating school and childcare personnel in the control of diabetes is educating them to the warning signs of hypoglycemia and emergency responses. Drive home the importance of preventing low blood sugar with frequent snacking. Provide educators with written meal and actions plans, and emergency response procedures. Make sure this information is conveyed to transportation providers as well. Bus drivers are every bit as important a link in the chain of response and prevention.
Testing
Blood sugar testing to determine blood glucose levels is essential in effective diabetes control for children with diabetes. On their own, symptoms are not enough to be relied on for necessary medication and dietary adjustment. Testing is important to determine how close (or far from) normal glucose levels diabetes patients are. When testing reveals blood sugar levels that are too high or too low, insulin and food intake can be adjusted to return sugar to normal ranges.
Your child's doctor will regularly monitor results and order in-depth testing as necessary, but the majority of your child's diabetes testing will be done at home with a blood glucose monitor (glucometer). How often your child's blood glucose levels need to be tested will be tailored to your child's situation. Your pediatrician will work with you to determine the frequency of testing and teach you how to interpret the results, but generally speaking, diabetes patients need to test blood glucose levels four or more times a day.
Target levels for blood glucose monitoring are as follows:
Typically, your child's blood should be tested before meals and at bedtime, and one to two hours after a meal.
Your child's doctor will instruct you as to proper testing procedures. Before you begin, you and your child should wash your hands thoroughly so as not to throw off the results of blood glucose monitoring. Collect the amount of blood needed to test with the equipment you have chosen. Generally, a finger stick is all that is needed, and this will be applied to a test strip inserted in the glucometer. When results seem inaccurate, double check with a second test or a backup glucose meter. Clean your equipment as recommended by the manufacturer to keep it in good working order.
Record the results of each blood glucose metering, and have school and childcare personnel do the same. Use a log book to keep a record of the glucose level, and include the foods eaten with the time of the test. Include in your record the amount and time of insulin injections and any other medications your child has been taking. Glucose levels help with short term adjustments, but the predominant use is to determine a long term plan of action for your child to keep blood sugars maintained at good, normal (or very close) levels.
Blood Glucose Monitoring Systems
Medical professionals will help you explore glucose monitoring equipment that is right for accurately testing your child's blood sugar. A variety of testing equipment and supplies are available, and advancing technology is changing the field regularly. There are several factors to consider when choosing blood glucose testing equipment.
Traditional glucose monitors test a small amount of blood collected by pricking a finger. The test strip is placed into the meter and then it absorbs the small drop of blood – like a straw. Within seconds, the blood sugar reading appears. Different meters have varying requirements for accuracy in filling target areas on a test strip and so some meters are easier to use than others.
Glucose meters are also available to test at alternative sites of the body. Sample blood may be taken from the arm, thigh, or palm of your hand. While these meters minimize trauma to the fingertips caused by repeated testing, it should be noted that alternative testing sites detect changes in blood sugar at different levels. When sugar levels change quickly, it will first be detected in the fingertips, and so a fingertip meter may still be required for some testing; during symptoms of hypoglycemia, a traditional fingertip meter should be used for maximum accuracy.
Laser blood collection systems have been approved for glucose monitoring as well. A small laser light beam draws blood to the surface, replacing finger sticks with the less painful alternative.
Continuous blood glucose monitoring systems are emerging. Some devices place a tiny catheter into the abdomen and taken continuous readings for up to seventy-two hours. The benefit to these glucose measuring systems is being able to see a graph of glucose readings throughout the day without having to prick your fingers, only to calibrate the machine.
Advancements towards pain-free glucose monitoring are progressing, however, there is no current replacement for traditional systems. There are, however, some things to consider when choosing the right testing system for your child. Compare several meters and consider display options, size, portability, speed, and ease of use (including how difficult applying blood to the target area is). Cost will factor into your decision a great deal, but remember an unreliable, inexpensive pump that needs to be frequently replaced may cost you more in the long run. Also, include the cost of test strips and local availability in your calculations. Your child's doctor and local pharmacist can help you decipher the varied testing systems and their features.
Doctor's Visits
As your child's diabetes falls under control and doctor's visits diminish in frequency, accurate recordkeeping will become more important in the maintenance of your child's disease. Bring your recorded results and logs with you to your child's doctor's visits. Note any abnormalities, illnesses, changes in health, emergency measures, and questions you or your child have. This will be an important tool to make adjustments in your child's treatment.
The relationship between you, your child, and your child's treating physician should be one of trust and respect. Together, you are all working towards the same goal: healthy control of your child's diabetes. Choose pediatricians that are knowledgeable in your child's disease and with whom you are comfortable working with frequently over long periods of time.
Living with Diabetes
A diagnosis of diabetes in a child is overwhelming. Use every resource available to you and your child to learn as much as you can about controlling and maintaining childhood diabetes. Educate your child, make them an active partner in managing their disease. Educate those around you- friends, family, teachers- and make living with diabetes an accepted part of your child's life. When diabetes is dealt with as a straightforward task met head-on, and proper care and education are learned, living with diabetes becomes a controllable, if unfortunate, fact of your child's life, vastly diminishing anxiety and subsequent complications.
Estrogen, cortisol, and other hormones produced by the placenta begin to block the effects of insulin during pregnancy. If the pancreas can not produce enough additional insulin to overcome the effects of the hormones, diabetes results.
| Goal blood glucose levels | |
|---|---|
| Fasting: | 60-90 mg/dL |
| Before meals: | 60-105 mg/dL |
| 1 hour after meals: | Under 140 mg/dL |
| 2 hours after meals: | Under 120 mg/dL |
Patients are usually asked to test their blood glucose levels:
It is critical that these blood sugars are in the range listed above. Notify your doctor and/or dietitian/nurse if these numbers are higher.
Nutrition
Avoid simple carbohydrates such as fruit juice, cakes and candy. Evenly distribute carbohydrates (starch, fruit, milk) during meals and snacks. Do not drink more than ONE eight ounce glass of milk at one time. Do not have milk or fruit at breakfast when the blood sugar tends to be higher UNLESS you have tested your blood and find the results are within a healthy range. Have no more than 30 grams of carbohydrates for breakfast UNLESS you have tested your blood and find the results are within a healthy range. Do not use Sweet n’ Low (saccharine) because it crosses the placenta. Stevia has not been adequately tested so it is advisable not to use it. Equal/Nutrasweet (Aspartame) can be used moderately (2-4 servings per day) as can Splenda (sucralose). Another option available is Zsweet (contains the plant based sugar alcohol, erythritol) or other natural sweeteners with zero impact on blood glucose.
Please test your blood sugar so you can see how food, beverages, stress, exercise, etc. are affecting YOUR body. Everyone is different. And OF COURSE you must check with your doctor for specific recommendations.
Exercise
Light exercise is important for your health and to lower your blood sugar. If you are already in an exercise program, you may exercise at higher intensities with the approval of your doctor.
Ketones
Ketones (a toxic by-product that results from improper fat breakdown) must be checked each morning at your first urination. This is done by placing the ketone strip in the urine stream. If you have not eaten enough carbohydrates, your body must get its energy from another source. The body then breaks down fat for fuel. If your body is not utilizing the carbohydrates efficiently, high blood sugar results and ketones again are used for fuel by breaking down fat.
Sugar does pass from the mother to baby through the placenta. Insulin does not pass from mother to baby. After the 12th week of pregnancy, the baby can make its own insulin. If the mother consistently has high blood sugar, the baby will overproduce insulin. Excess sugar or insulin will cause your baby to gain weight which will result in an overweight baby.
Keep track of your baby’s movements by counting fetal movements or "kicks." After the 26th week of pregnancy when your baby is most active, start "kick counting." After a meal, sit on a comfortable chair and write down how many times your baby moves.
The concept of pre-diabetes was unveiled to the American public by then Health and Human Services Secretary, Tommy Thompson in 2002. Currently, the American Diabetes Association warns that 57 million people have this condition. By contrast, there are 23.6 million people in the United States with diabetes, 17.9 are already diagnosed, however, nearly one quarter of them (5.7 million) are not aware they have the disease.
Q. What is pre-diabetes?
A. In layman's terms, people with pre-diabetes have blood glucose levels that fall into the range between normal and diabetic. That is, they have elevated blood sugar, but it isn't quite high enough to classify it as diabetes. Your doctor may refer to this as impaired glucose tolerance or, possibly, impaired fasting glucose. No matter what it is called, pre-diabetes means having blood sugar that is higher than it should be.
Q. What does pre-diabetes do?
A. Pre-diabetes serves as a warning. Patients with this condition have a significant risk of developing Type 2 diabetes within 10 years and are at a 50% greater risk of having a stroke or heart attack.
Pre-diabetes can also jump start damage associated with diabetes, especially to the circulatory system and the heart, before a person fully develops Type 2 diabetes.
Q. Should I get tested?
A. Perhaps. If you are aged 45 or older, it is recommended that you get tested. If you are aged 45 or older and overweight, it is strongly recommended that you get tested. If you are 44 or younger and have risk factors for Type 2 diabetes, it is recommended that you get tested.
Q. What are the risk factors for Type 2 diabetes?
A. Being overweight or obese. A family history of diabetes, especially a parent or sibling. Being of American Indian, Alaskan Native, African, Hispanic/Latino, Pacific Islander or Asian descent. A history of gestational diabetes or large babies at birth (at least 9 pounds). High blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol levels--example: low HDL and/or high LDL or triglycerides. A sedentary lifestyle with little to no exercise. A diagnosis or PCOS (PolyCystic Ovarian Syndrome, sometimes called PCOS). Any other medical condition associated with insulin resistance. A history of cardiovascular disease
Q. What is the test like?
A. Your doctor may offer you a fasting glucose test or an oral glucose tolerance test (pregnant women often receive these). The fasting glucose test will require you to abstain from food and drink for several hours and have blood drawn in a lab.
The glucose tolerance test will also require you to fast for several hours before having blood drawn. After your blood is drawn, you have to drink a glucose-rich beverage and wait approximately one hour. Your blood will be drawn a second time. An hour later, it will be drawn a third time. You will probably have a final draw one hour later.
There are a couple of things to note about the glucose tolerance test. First, individuals with sensitive skin may wish to use cotton balls and pressure to clot the draw sites rather than bandages. Removing and applying new bandages to the testing site may cause undo irritation to the skin. Second, definitely bring something to keep you busy. You probably don't want to spend three hours with only waiting room magazines to read.
Your doctor may also consider ordering a hemoglobin A1c (HB A1c or A1c) to get an idea of what your blood sugar has been like for three months prior to the test. This is a simple blood draw that can be completed at the same time as a fasting glucose test or glucose tolerance test.
Q. How long will it take to get the results of your test?
A. It should not take longer than a few business days. Your doctor will probably call with the results and let you know if further follow up is required.
Q. How is pre-diabetes treated?
A. The good news is that pre-diabetes is generally reversible with simple lifestyle modifications, including eating healthier and getting more exercise. Prescription medications are generally not included as a first line of defense against pre-diabetes. It should be noted, however, that studies indicate using Glucophage (also known as Metformin) in patients with pre-diabetes may hinder the development of Type 2 diabetes.
Your doctor will probably want you to work on losing weight, exercise more and improve your diet. You won't have to turn your lifestyle around overnight; you can incorporate improvements over a period of time to ease the transition.
Your doctor may also want to monitor your blood sugar while you are making the necessary lifestyle changes and continue to do so once you have reduced your sugar to normal levels.
Is there any good news?
Yes! The good news is that pre-diabetes is largely reversible. The better news is that, if you do reverse it, you significantly reduce your chances of developing Type 2 diabetes. As an added bonus, the lifestyle modifications required to reverse pre-diabetes may have a greater overall positive impact on your health.
Q. What is Type 1 Diabetes?
A. Type 1 diabetes is a chronic medical condition that affects how the body normally gets energy from food. Type 1 diabetes results when a person’s pancreas stops making the insulin hormone. When insulin production ceases, the body cannot get the energy it needs from the foods that are eaten.
The exact cause of Type 1 diabetes is not known. What we do know is that Type 1 diabetes does not result from overconsumption of sugar or sweets.
Q. What happens when the pancreas no longer produces insulin?
A. In Type 1 diabetes, food is still broken down into glucose, as in regular digestion. However, in regular digestion, insulin is available to allow glucose to enter the body cells. In a person with Type 1 diabetes, glucose (blood sugar) builds up in the bloodstream because there is no insulin hormone secreted by the beta cells of the pancreas. The blood glucose levels increase and rise to numbers much higher than normal.
Q. What is the result of the elevated blood sugar levels?
A. When the body cells cannot get glucose due to a lack of insulin, the body cells try to get energy or fuel from stored fat. Fat is not the body’s preferred source of energy. Ketones are a type of acid that is present in the bodystream when the body tries to use fat for energy. When ketones build up in the body, a potentially dangerous medical condition called "diabetic ketoacidosis: DKA" results. Most persons with Type 1 diabetes have DKA when they are first diagnosed. Ketoacidosis usually develops slowly and can poison the body. If vomiting occurs, then this condition is considered life-threatening.
Q. What are the treatments for Type 1 Diabetes?
A. The primary treatment for Type 1 diabetes is insulin injection. Insulin injections are necessary to replace the insulin that is not being produced by the body. Most insulin is man-made, however the insulin works just like the body’s own insulin to allow glucose to enter the body cells. Insulin can be injected into the body using needles or by an insulin pump inserted under the skin.
Q. What does the term "Honeymoon Phase" mean?
A. The "Honeymoon Phase" for newly diagnosed Type 1 diabetes can occur within two to several weeks. During this phase the body does attempt to produce some insulin. This phase may last for a few months or longer. The person with Type 1 diabetes will require very little insulin during a honeymoon phase. The decreased need for insulin will cause some persons to think that perhaps the diabetes has gone away. However this "Honeymoon Phase" is only temporary, and the pancreas will eventually completely cease or stop making any insulin.
Q. What lifestyle adjustments are necessary for people with Type 1 diabetes?
A. Checking blood glucose levels will need to be done daily. This is important for persons with Type 1 diabetes because controlling blood glucose levels is the key goal for appropriate wellness and diabetes management. A person with Type 1 diabetes will be taught how to use a blood glucose meter (glucometer) for blood glucose monitoring. Also, a healthcare team will provide education on how to set individual goals for target blood glucose ranges and ongoing blood sugar monitoring.
Q. Now that you’ve checked blood glucose levels, what’s next?
A. Record keeping is very important for anyone with diabetes and especially for people who have Type 1 diabetes. A logbook (which should be provided with the glucometer) should be kept as a "record book" by the patient/person with Type 1 diabetes which lists: blood glucose readings, times of day readings are taken, and the type, times and amounts of insulin taken. Most logbooks offer sections to record food and exercise entries, and the readings along with the other entries help medical providers to determine patterns and solve any blood glucose management problems.
Q. What can be done to reduce the pain from "finger sticking" when monitoring blood glucose?
A. Here are some things to try when getting a blood sample:
Q. What will happen if blood sugar is too low? What is "Hypoglycemia?"
A. Low blood sugar is called "Hypoglycemia." Hypoglycemia results when blood glucose levels are too low — below 70 mg/dl. Causes for hypoglycemia are generally eating too little food, skipping a meal or snack, or taking too much insulin.
Low blood sugar can result when there has been increased physical activity, even when the activity was several hours earlier. If low blood sugar is not treated and becomes severe, it can lead to passing out or seizures. Learn to recognize the symptoms of low blood sugar to prevent blood glucose readings below 70 mg/dl.
Q. What are the symptoms of hypoglycemia?
A. Low blood sugar (glucose) symptoms are:
When these symptoms occur, treat low blood sugar immediately. If low blood sugar (glucose) happens often, the patient will lose the ability to sense when the blood glucose level is too low.
Q. How is low blood glucose treated?
A. Check your blood glucose level if the symptoms of low blood sugar appear. If you are unable to check the glucose level, still treat for low blood glucose.
Low Blood Glucose Treatment:
Low Blood Glucose Prevention:
NOTE: Glucagon emergency kits, which are available with a physician prescription, are required to treat severe low blood sugar episodes. Glucagon is given by injection. A family member or loved one should learn how to inject the patient with glucagon if necessary. After an injection with glucagon, you should be responsive in 5-20 minutes and able to swallow or chew. You may vomit after injection with glucagon, so keep the head elevated.
Q. What is "Hyperglycemia?"
A. "Hyperglycemia" is elevated or high blood glucose (above 240 mg/dl). Hyperglycemia occurs when there is too much blood glucose in the body. Some common causes for hyperglycemia include: too much food, too little insulin, illness, stress, and hormone changes. Long-term complications may result if blood glucose levels are too high, too often. Treat elevated blood sugars quickly when they occur.
Q. What are the signs of Hyperglycemia?
A. Symptoms of Hyperglycemia include blurry vision, nausea, frequent thirst and frequent urination are signs of high or elevated blood glucose. Some patients may feel weak or dizzy.
Q. What is the treatment for Hyperglycemia?
A. If the blood sugar is above 240 mg/dl, drink sugar free drinks and extra water. You may have to take extra insulin as well. Follow the treatment plan that is provided by your physician.
Q. How can I prevent Hyperglycemia?
A. You can prevent Hyperglycemia by following these recommendations:
When you have Type 2 diabetes, you have high blood glucose levels because of a lack of insulin or the inability of your body to properly use the insulin. The first basic reason for Type 2 diabetes is the pancreas inability to produce enough insulin or the body cannot process it. The other reason for Type 2 diabetes is insulin resistance, which occurs as a result of poor diet and lack of exercise. Although Type 2 diabetes can develop for anyone at any age, it appears most frequently in middle-aged and older adults. Eight percent of the American population over 20 years old has Type 2 diabetes.
Type 2: Genetic or Preventable?
Although genetics may cause a person to be more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes, the disease may be brought on due to factors such as poor diet and lack of exercise. Because of this, individuals have some level of control over when and if they ever have Type 2 diabetes. Health issues such as obesity later in life often bring this disease on and in many cases, Type 2 diabetes can be completely controlled through diet and exercise.
Warning Signs of Types 2 Diabetes
Although no symptoms may be present when you have diabetes, there may be warning signs that you may have increased blood glucose levels and be at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, such as:
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should discuss them with your treating physician immediately to find out if you are at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
Treating Type 2 Diabetes
Unlike Type 1 diabetes, which needs to be controlled with regular administration of insulin, Type 2 diabetes can be prevented and controlled through exercise, diet and healthy living habits.
Changes to your lifestyle can be difficult and take time to incorporate into your daily routine. However, by following certain lifestyle changes, you can avoid long-term problems from diabetes and live an active life. Consider the following suggestions to take proper care of yourself with Type 2 diabetes:
By making these simple lifestyle changes, you can keep Type 2 diabetes at bay and enjoy a great sense of physical and emotional well-being. People with Type 2 diabetes often have a team of professionals to assist them with their condition, including their treating physician, diabetes educator, eye doctor, dentist, podiatrist, social worker, nurse or nurse practitioner, dietitian, counselor, social worker, pharmacist, family and friends.
If healthy lifestyle changes do not lower blood glucose levels significantly, your treating physician may decide to administer medicine or insulin to lower your blood sugar. By enlisting a team to help monitor the condition, Type 2 diabetics have enough care and assistance to lead productive, pleasurable lives.
Risks of Type 2 Diabetes
People with Type 2 diabetes need to make permanent lifestyle changes to control their disease and enlist a team of professionals to help them monitor their condition. A blood glucose monitor can be used at home to track sugar levels in the body and those with Type 2 diabetes should have an A1C test done regularly to reveal blood glucose levels over the past three months. The goal during an A1C test is to get below a "7" for optimum health (according to the American Diabetes Association).
When you have diabetes, you are a greater risk of developing other ailments including:
There are also certain conditions that are specific to people with Type 2 diabetes. With ongoing monitoring and control of your disease, the following conditions may be prevented:
Additionally, if you are a Vietnam veteran with Agent Orange exposure and Type 2 diabetes, you may be eligible for disability compensation.
By monitoring your blood glucose levels, maintaining a healthy lifestyle every day, taking all necessary medications and scheduling regular appointments with members of your treatment team, you can ensure your ongoing well-being as a Type 2 diabetic. If you experience unusual symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, frequent urination, fever, dry skin, sores, infection, dry mouth, odd smelling breath, shortness of breath, fatigue or confusion, you should call your doctor right away to rule out serious complications.
Living with Type 2 Diabetes
As a Type 2 diabetic, you need to consistently monitor your blood sugar level, blood pressure and cholesterol to make sure you are in the best of health. It is also necessary to take note of changes in your body, such as sores on your feet, dry skin or mouth and fatigue and tell your doctor about them immediately so ensure your condition is not progressing.
When you have Type 2 diabetes, a healthy lifestyle is no longer a choice but a necessity. Eating a well-balanced diet and getting regular exercise are essential to maintain optimum health and ward off the effects of Type 2 diabetes. Even when you go on vacation or during emergencies, you must maintain a proper diet, get regular physical activity and monitor your blood glucose levels. It is critical that you try to maintain a healthy lifestyle otherwise you can cause serious damage to your body. If you need to take medications, you need to have enough on hand and make sure you administer them on a regular schedule.
Finally, it is normal for you to have feelings of anger, denial or depression about diabetes. On occasion, you may even be the victim of discrimination at work or school because of your disease. If these situations arise, discuss them with a counselor or diabetes professional who can help you to handle them. By taking proper care of yourself, staying in constant communication with your treating physician and minimizing stress, you can live a long, healthy life with Type 2 diabetes.