How Do You Get Type 2 Diabetes?
How do you get Type 2 diabetes? How do you treat and manage the condition? Answering these questions requires a little background on Type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects the way the body uses glucose (sugar). Formerly known as non-insulin dependent or adult-onset diabetes, Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. In fact, it affects more than 90 percent of all diabetics.
A body with Type 2 diabetes does one of two things. Although it produces insulin, a hormone that regulates glucose movement in the cells, it may not produce enough to maintain normal glucose levels. Or, it may resist the effect of insulin or use it inadequately.
Type 2 diabetes has no cure, but it can often be prevented. People who live with the condition can manage it with diet and exercise, or control it with medication or insulin therapy.
How Do You Get Type 2 Diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes develops when the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin, or when the body starts to resist insulin. Why this happens is unknown, but body weight and inactivity contribute to the problem.
Excess weight is the primary risk factor for Type 2 diabetes. Fatty tissue seems to encourage insulin resistance. Fat distribution plays a role, too. Type 2 diabetes is more prevalent in people who store fat in their abdomen, as opposed to their hips and thighs.
A sedentary lifestyle is another diabetes risk factor. Exercise and physical activities burn glucose as energy, and cells become more sensitive to insulin as a result.
Family history may impact the development of diabetes, and age is another factor. Type 2 diabetes is more common in middle-aged and senior adults. Race is a risk factor, too. For unclear reasons, blacks, Hispanics, Asian Americans, and Native Americans are more likely than whites to develop diabetes.
How Is Type 2 Diabetes Treated And Managed?
Treating Type 2 diabetes requires a lifetime commitment to a healthy diet, regular exercise, and glucose monitoring. Some diabetic conditions also require prescription medication or insulin therapy.
Severely overweight diabetics may be good candidates for bariatric surgery. In addition to weight-loss surgery, drastic lifestyle changes are necessary for diabetes control.
Careful management reduces the risk of complications and other health problems associated with diabetes. Annual physicals and eye exams enable doctors to screen for other medical problems that may be caused, or impacted, by diabetes. Good dental care and regular exams are also important, as diabetics are prone to gum infections. Feet problems are also common and may require medical attention.
An identity tag or bracelet can be a lifesaver in emergency situations. And keeping tabs on blood pressure, stress, cholesterol levels, tobacco use, and alcohol consumption can help diabetics manage their condition.