It's more than having high sugar - but what is it?
Facts About Type 2
Think you may have diabetes?
Or know you have it but it isn't controlled?
Make an appointment today: 410-837-2050.
About 10% of the US population has some form of diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes.
So What is Type 2 Diabetes?
Your body does not use insulin properly, which is called insulin resistance.
When you first develop Type 2 diabetes, your pancreas will make extra insulin to try and fix the problem.
What is insulin?
Insulin is a hormone, made by the pancreas, that helps your body know whether to use or store glucose (blood sugar). Insulin works to balance blood glucose levels.
Over time, your pancrease can’t keep up to make enough insulin to keep your blood glucose levels normal.
Symptoms & Risks
Common symptoms include:
- Urinating often
- Feeling very thirsty
- Feeling very hungry - even though you are eating
- Extreme fatigue
- Blurry vision
- Cuts/bruises that are slow to heal
- Tingling, pain, or numbness in the hands/feet (type 2)
Remember, you may not have all or any of these symptoms. It’s important to talk with your provider about your risks.
Some groups have a higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes than others. Type 2 diabetes is more common in African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, and Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders, as well as the aged population.
Untreated or Uncontrolled
Insulin helps to keep glucose from building up in your blood stream. If glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into cells, it can cause two problems:
- Your cells begin to starve for energy
- High blood glucose levels may hurt your eyes, kidneys, nerves, or heart.
Treatment
Type 2 is treated with lifestyle changes, oral medications (pills), and insulin.
Some people with type 2 can control their blood glucose with healthy eating and exercise. Your provider may need to also prescribe oral medications or insulin to help you meet your target blood glucose levels.
It is not unusual for type 2 diabetes to get worse over time. Even if you don’t need medications at first, you may need to later on.
