Type Two Diabetes
Type two diabetes is the most prevalent form of diabetes, affecting nearly 90-95% of all people that have diabetes. It can come with many symptoms and it can come with none. Prevention and treatment are very important to avoid any long term complications caused by mismanaged blood sugar levels.
Type two diabetes is different from type one in that people with type two still produce insulin. The problem is that the pancrease does not produce enough insulin or the the body cannot use the insulin adequately. Many people with type two diabetes can manage the disease simply by exercising (to burn carbs) and eating the right foods.
Becuase the body isn't producing enough insulin or it isn't being used perperly, glucose or sugar can't get into the body's cells. Then the issue of glucose building up in the blood instead of going into the cells creates a situation where the body's cells are not able to function properly.
Type Two Diabetes Risk Factors
Some people are more likely to develop type two than others. Certain risk factors will increase your chances of cdeveloping type two diabetes at some point in your life. Some of these risk factors involve lifestyle habits that you can change, others involve hereditary factors, which you can not change.
Risk Factors you can change
*Inactivity. Being a couch potato or even a mouse potato will not do your health any favors. Maybe you think you are too busy to exercise. Think of how much your life will change if you are suddenly faced with a diagnosis of type two diabetes- maybe that will motivate you to get moving.
*Being overweight. Inactivity can be related to being overweight. if you regularly consume more calories than your body burns, you will gain weight. Start exercising - even just walking -- every day and try to monitor your daily calorie intake.
*Bad numbers for cholesterol, trigylceride, blood pressure. If you have a HDL cholesteral level under 35 mg/dL and a triglyceride level over 250 mg/dL you are are at risk for type 2. You can control these numbers (except for hereditary conditions) by eating a well balanced diet (skip those donuts) and getting regular exercise. Most of these bad numbers can be controlled with prescription medications.
Risk Factors you cannot change
*Age: Most people that develop type 2 diabetes are over the age of 45. You can't do anything about your age, but again, you can control what you eat and how often you exercise.
*Hereditary. If a family member, parent or sibling, in your family has diabetes, your risk of developing type 2 increases.
*Race/ethnic backbround. Hispanics, African-Americans, Native Americans and Asians are at greater risk of developingg type 2 diabetes
In short, type two diabetes might be in your future, but there are several things that you can do now to prevent or delay the occurence of the disease.
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