What is diabetes?
There are two types of diabetes.Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes, and more than 85 – 90 % diabetics in the US fall in this category. Type 2 diabetes is associated with insulin resistance and obesity and is fast becoming an epidemic in the entire world. In type 2 diabetes, either the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. Insulin is necessary for the body to be able to use glucose for energy.
Diabetes is a metabolic disease caused by a lack of insulin (a hormone) in the human body. Insulin is needed by the body to metabolize (breakdown) the sugar that we eat. When insulin is not available the sugar levels in the body can rise to extremely high levels which can cause diseases of various body parts like the kidneys, eyes, nerves, hearts etc.
Many people with type 2 diabetes have no symptoms, and it is often discovered accidentally after routine medical check ups or when you are being screened for something else.
If present, the symptoms might include:
• increased production of urine
• unusual thirst
• tiredness
• loss of weight
Type 2 diabetes develops when the body becomes resistant to insulin. This happens when the body's tissues (eg muscle), do not fully respond to insulin and so cannot make use of the glucose in the blood for energy. The pancreas responds by producing more insulin. In addition the liver, where glucose is stored, releases more glucose to try to increase the amount available. Eventually the pancreas becomes less able to produce enough insulin and the tissues become more resistant to insulin. As a result, blood glucose levels slowly start to rise.
Unlike Type 1 diabetes, there is little tendency toward ketoacidosis in Type 2 diabetes, though it is not unknown. One effect that can occur is nonketonic hyperglycemia which also quite dangerous, though it must be treated very differently.
Diabetes mellitus type 2 is a chronic, progressive disease that has no clearly established cure. There are two main goals of treatment of the disease:
1. reduction of mortality and concomitant morbidity (from assorted diabetic complications)
2. preservation of quality of life
Type 2 is initially treated by adjustment in diet and exercise, and by weight loss, especially in obese patients.
There are several drugs available for type 2 diabetics -- most are unsuitable or even dangerous for use by type 1 diabetics. Metformin and second-generation sulfonylureas are the preferred choices for most with type 2. If antidiabetic drugs fails, insulin therapy may be necessary - usually in addition to oral medication therapy - to maintain normal glucose levels. Type 2 diabetes is serious, but people with diabetes can live long, healthy, happy lives.
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