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Diabetes
Type 2
Type 2 diabetes is a problem with your body that causes blood glucose (sugar) levels to rise higher than normal. This is also called hyperglycemia. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes.
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.
What Is Type 2 Diabetes?
In type 2 diabetes, your body does not use insulin properly. This is called insulin resistance. At first, the pancreas makes extra insulin to make up for it. Over time your pancreas isn’t able to keep up and can’t make enough insulin to keep your blood glucose levels normal. Type 2 is treated it with lifestyle changes, oral medications (pills), and insulin. Some people with type 2 can control their blood glucose with healthy eating and being active. But, your doctor may need to also prescribe oral medications or insulin to help you meet your target blood glucose levels. Type 2 usually gets worse over time—even if you don’t need to take medications at first, you may need to later on.
How Does Diabetes Affect Affect You Daily?
Diabetes can affect how you feel each day. If your blood glucose level is too high or too low (hypoglycemia), you may not feel well. Keeping your blood glucose in a target range will help you feel your best. People with type 1 diabetes must take insulin several times a day to keep their blood glucose under control. You also need to check blood glucose regularly and use the information to adjust the amount of insulin you are taking. Talk with your health care team about how and when to check your blood glucose. While most of the day-to-day care of diabetes is up to you, your health care team is there to help you.
What Causes Type 2 Diabetes?
Scientists do not know the exact cause of type 2 diabetes. However, development of type 2 diabetes has been associated with several risk factors. These risk factors include:
• history of hyperglycemia, prediabetes, and/or gestational diabetes (GDM)
• overweight and obesity
• physical inactivity
• genetics
• family history
• race and ethnicity
• age
• high blood pressure
• abnormal cholesterol
How Will I Know If My Diabetes Treatment Is Working?
Getting an A1C test at least twice a year helps you and your health care team keep track of how well you are controlling your blood glucose levels. A1C is part of your diabetes ABCs, which will tell you if your overall diabetes treatment is working.
What Is Type 2 different than Type 1?
In type 1, your body treats the cells that make insulin as invaders and destroys them. This can happen over a few weeks, months, or years. When enough of the cells are gone, your pancreas makes little or no insulin and blood glucose becomes dangerously high. People with type 1 diabetes take insulin by injection with a syringe, an insulin pen, or an insulin pump.
What Treatments are Used for Type 2 Diabetes?
The two goals of diabetes treatment are to make sure you feel well day-to-day and to prevent or delay long-term health problems. The best way to reach those goals is by:
• taking medications, if your doctor prescribes them
• planning your meals—choosing what, how much, and when to eat
• being physically active
The ABC's of Diabetes?
A is for A1C or estimated average glucose (eAG) Your A1C test tells you your average blood glucose for the past 2 to 3 months. It’s the blood check “with a memory.” Your health care provider may call this your estimated average glucose or eAG. The eAG gives your A1C results in the same units (mg/dl) as the glucose meter you use at home.
B is for blood pressure Your blood pressure numbers tell you the force of blood inside your blood vessels. When your blood pressure is high, your heart has to work harder.
C is for cholesterol Your cholesterol numbers tell you about the amount of fat in your blood. Some kinds of cholesterol can raise your risk for heart attack and stroke.
For more information visit diabetes.org or call 1-800-DIABETES