Effects of Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes, medically written as type II diabetes, affects the way your body uses or makes insulin. Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, controls the level of glucose, or sugar, in the blood. Insulin is needed to move glucose from the bloodstream to the body's cells, where it is used for energy. When you have type 2 diabetes, your body does not make or use insulin well, according to MedLine Plus, a website of the National Institutes of Health. When insufficient amounts of insulin are produced by the pancreas, too much glucose remains in the bloodstream, making it difficult for the cells to use the sugar efficiently.
When glucose levels remain high, damage can occur to the kidneys, nerves and eyes. Diabetes may also affect circulation to the legs and feet and can cause heart disease or stroke. Type 2 diabetes usually develops over time and is more likely to occur in people who are overweight. Fat interferes with the body's ability to use insulin, according to the New York Times Health Guides. Type 2 diabetes can affect people who aren't overweight. If you have a family history of type 2 diabetes, are elderly, have high blood pressure, high cholesterol or poor eating habits, you may be at a higher risk of developing this form of diabetes. People of Hispanic, Asian, African or Native American descent are also more likely to develop type 2 diabetes.
Symptoms
Increased thirst and frequent urination is one of the most common signs of diabetes. When excess sugar builds up in the bloodstream, fluid is pulled from the bloodstream, making you thirsty, according to the Mayo Clinic. Fluid may also be pulled from the eyes, causing blurred vision. Frequent drinking results in more frequent urination. You may feel hungrier than usual because muscles and organs aren't receiving enough energy. Other type 2 diabetes symptoms may include fatigue, frequent infections, weight loss, slow-healing wounds and dark skins in the folds of skin in the neck and armpits.
Controlling Diabetes
Keeping your blood sugar at a normal level is the key to controlling diabetes and preventing complications. Frequent monitoring of your blood sugar level is important in determining if your blood sugar level is too high. Testing can be done at home using a glucose monitor and a drop of your blood. In some cases, losing weight, exercising and eating a healthier diet is all that is needed to control the disease. If diet and exercise alone aren't effective in reducing your blood sugar level, your doctor may prescribe medication to lower the blood sugar and boost your insulin level. Medication may be taken in oral or injectable form, depending on the severity of your condition.
