Diabetes FAQ » General Information » Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 Diabetes

In type 2 diabetes the body can produce insulin but often not in the necessary or proper quantities to insure healthy functioning of the body. The risk for developing Type 2 diabetes can be greatly decreased by following a healthy regime of diet and exercise.

In order to detect and treat diabetes early some of the signs and symptoms of the disease are: Increased fatigue, polydipsia (thirst), polyuria, (frequent urination), polyphegia (hunger), weight flunctuations, Irritability, Infections and slow healing qualities

type 1 and type 2 diabetes although often having similar symptoms are actually two entirely different diseases. The chances of developing type 1 diabetes are hard to predict as it is an auto-immune metabolic disorder that could be caused by a virus but the actual reason type 1 diabetes takes place is not known. If at risk for type 1 diabetes you should have a fasting blood sugar test performed at least yearly. The odds for developing type 2 diabetes are higher if you have a family history of diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is a hereditary disease but normally triggered by something such as obesity. That is why the odds can be minimized with a healthy lifestyle. Following a well balanced diet high in protein and fresh vegetables and eating such foods as sweets and breads in moderation will go a long way. The second thing you can do to reduce the risk of developing diabetes is exercise and active lifestyle. A good 30 minutes of cardio exercise 4 times a week is a good guide to follow.

A common misconception about diabetes is that it is it is caused by sugar or eating too much sugar when the fact is it is actually caused by glucose mostly found in carbohydrates. It is this glucose that derived from the carbohydrates that raises our blood sugar levels and when our metabolism fails to deal with this and reduce the blood sugars to unacceptable levels the body reacts and serious problems can arise. Another error is that it does not run in the family and this is false, it is a hereditary gene and some people can carry it and pass it on without ever having diabetes or diabetes symptoms themselves. It is estimated that a parent with type 2 diabetes has about a 1 in 30 chance of passing diabetes on to their children. If you have worries about being at risk or of possibly having diabetes consult with your family doctor who will evaluate your risk of diabetes and if necessary have you tested.

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