Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. Type 2 Diabetes is a metabolic disorder that is primarily characterized by insulin resistance, relative insulin deficiency, and hyperglycemia. 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 sugar. Sugar is the basic fuel for the cells in the body, and insulin takes the sugar from the blood into the cells. It is rapidly increasing in the developed world, and there is some evidence that this pattern will be followed in much of the rest of the world in coming years. In the UK about 3 in 100 people aged over 40, and about 10 in 100 people aged over 65, have Type 2 diabetes. It is also more common in South Asian and African-Caribbean people.

Diabetes can also cause long-term complications in some people, including heart disease, stroke, vision impairment, and kidney damage. It is also associated with acromegaly, Cushing's syndrome and a number of other endocrinological disorders. Children and teens with insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes are also more likely to develop hypertension (high blood pressure) or abnormal levels of blood fats (cholesterol and triglycerides). When these problems cluster together in a person, doctors call this metabolic syndrome. Diabetes mellitus type 2 is often associated with obesity and hypertension and elevated cholesterol (combined hyperlipidemia), and with the condition Metabolic syndrome. Additional factors found to increase risk of type 2 diabetes include aging, high-fat diets and a less active lifestyle.

Diabetes can also cause other problems in the blood vessels, nerves, and gums. These problems don't usually show up in kids or teens with type 2 diabetes who have had the disease for only a few years. The four common symptoms of Type 2 diabetes are being thirsty a lot of the time passing large amounts of urine ,tiredness and weight loss. Diabetes mellitus type 2 is a chronic, progressive disease that has no medically proven cure. Eat a healthy diet to help achieve a normal body weight while getting the nutrients needed to grow and develop. Regular exercise helps control the amount of glucose in the blood. It also helps burn excess calories and fat so you can manage your weight. Regular self-testing of your blood sugar tells you how well your combination of diet, exercise, and medication are working.

Type 2 Diabetes Treatment Tips

1. Regular exercise is important for everyone.

2. Monitor blood glucose levels by home testing before and after exercise.

3. Wear a diabetes identification bracelet and carry change for a phone call in case of emergency.

4. Drink extra fluids that do not contain sugar before, during and after exercise.

5. Meal planning includes choosing healthy foods, eating the right amount of food, and eating meals at the right time

6. Carry food that contains a fast-acting carbohydrate in case blood glucose levels get too low during or after exercise.

7. Carnitine has been shown to increase insulin sensitivity and glucose storage in humans.

8. Taurine has also shown significant improvement in insulin sensitivity and hyperlipidemia in rats.