Diabetes is a chronic disease that effects close to 26 million Americans, according to the American Diabetes Association. Around 90 to 95 percent of those have type 2 diabetes. As a type 2 diabetic, your body has become resistant to insulin, the hormone responsible for getting sugar from the bloodstream into the cell, resulting in high blood sugars. While there is no cure for diabetes, early detection and management can help limit its complications.
Symptoms
The symptoms of type 2 diabetes develop slowly over time and may not be noticeable. Extreme thirst and frequent urination are classic symptoms of type 2 diabetes. As the sugar in your blood increases, your body tries to dilute it by pulling the fluid from your tissue, increasing your desire to drink and your need to urinate. You can also feel extreme hunger because your cells are not receiving their sugar. Weight loss is another symptom as your body burns muscle and fat to use as an alternative source of fuel. Other symptoms can include fatigue, blurred vision, slow healing of wounds and areas of darkened skin. You should contact your doctor if you experience any of the symptoms related to type 2 diabetes.
Risks
A number of factors can increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. If you are over the age of 40, your risk increases. Obesity is another risk factor. Eighty percent of the people with type 2 diabetes are overweight, according to the International Diabetes Federation. Family history can also increase your risk, and the closer the family member the more likely you are to develop type 2 diabetes. Leading an inactive life can also increase your likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis for diabetes is based on your glycated hemoglobin, or A1C, test, which is a blood test that is able to average your blood sugar over a two- to three-month period. An A1C measurement of 6.5 or greater on two separate occasions indicates that you have diabetes.
Diet
The sugar in your blood comes from the food you eat, so diet will be an important part of the treatment plan for the management of your type 2 diabetes. In general, the diet for type 2 diabetes encourages you to eat balanced meals that include a variety of nutrient-rich foods from each of the food groups in moderate amounts. Eating in moderation controls both calorie and nutrient intake, which can help you better manage blood sugar. For consistency, your meals should be eaten at the same time each day and contain about the same amount of food.
