Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes, also called diabetes mellitus or non insulin-dependent diabetes, is a chronic disease that develops when the glucose levels in your blood reaches a high. This happens when your body is not able to utilize the insulin produced by the pancreas.

Importance Of Insulin
Insulin is a hormone produced in the beta cells present in the pancreas. This hormone transports glucose, which is a simple sugar, to the cells of your body wherein it is broke down to convert into fuel that is used to carry out the normal functions of your body. When the glucose cannot be transported to the cells, they remain as it is in your bloodstream, thus, rising the blood glucose levels. Most of the people are diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. About 97 per cent of the new cases of diabetes are of type 2 condition.

Who Is At Risk Of Type 2 Diabetes?
Unlike Type 1 diabetes, which attacks all of a sudden, Type 2 diabetes creeps slowly. It often occurs in obese people. When the glucose levels in your bloodstream reach a peak, it results in hyperglycemia. And it happens mostly in Type 2 diabetics, as they are resistant to insulin and have a high level of sugar in their blood. Obese people are more prone to develop insulin resistance. This is because the excess fats interfere with the utilization of insulin by the body.

However, do not think that Type 2 diabetes spares the thin people. The skinny ones are at risk too. Besides this, elderly people can also develop this type of diabetes.

Other Factors That Pose A Risk For Type 2 Diabetes

Unhealthy diet
Low levels of physical activity
An HDL cholesterol level more than 250mg/dL or less than 35mg/dL
A history of gestational diabetes
More than 45 years of age
Overweight, especially when the extra flab hangs around the waist
Being Native American, African-American, or Hispanic

When To Call Your Doctor?
The following are the signs that may indicate that you have Type 2 diabetes. Do not ignore. As soon as you feel such signs, call your doctor for a check up of your blood sugar levels.

A constant thirst for water
Frequent urge to urinate
An increase in appetite

Testing Methods
There are three techniques used to diagnose Type 2 diabetes:

Oral glucose tolerance test
Random blood glucose level test
Fasting blood glucose level test.

These tests determine whether your glucose levels are high enough to conclude an insulin resistance condition, which signifies Type 2 diabetes. If you are diagnosed with this type of diabetes, you will have to follow the treatment, which includes medications as well as change in your lifestyle in order to control the disease.

Treatment is the key to fight diabetes. The more you ignore the symptoms, the worse your condition will become. So, do not let diabetes control you. If you are doubtful, call your doctor now!