Type 2 diabetes is a life-long disease marked by high levels of sugar in the blood. It occurs when the body does not respond correctly to insulin, a hormone released by the pancreas. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes.
Type 2 Diabetes Treatment Options
An important diabetes management goal is to keep blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible. In order to achieve this goal, treatment for Type 2 diabetes centers around three essential components: balanced daily nutrition, a healthy lifestyle that includes exercise, and proper medication if doctor prescribed. These lifestyle factors can help decrease insulin resistance,balance insulin/glucose metabolism and reduce the health risks associated with diabetes.
Causes of Type 2 Diabetes
In type 2 diabetes, either the pancreas does not make enough insulin or the body does not use it properly. No one knows the exact cause of type 2 diabetes, but it’s more likely to occur in people who:
are over 45 years of age
are overweight
have a family history of diabetes
Symptoms and Complications of Type 2 Diabetes
People with type 2 diabetes may not have symptoms for years or decades, but as the disease progresses, symptoms develop. People with type 2 diabetes may have the following signs and symptoms:
blurred sight
decreased sensation or numbness in the hands and feet
dry, itchy skin
frequent bladder and vaginal infections
Treatment
Urgent Care
Contact your doctor immediately if you experience symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) [Table 3]. Some diabetes medications, such as insulin, the sulfonylureas, and the meglitinides may cause excessively low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Likewise, skipping meals and intense workouts can cause blood sugar levels to drop to dangerous levels. Symptoms of hypoglycemia include trembling, hunger, sweating, dizziness, and confusion. If measures are not taken to counteract hypoglycemia, seizures, coma, and even death can result.
These fat types are also recommended in moderate amounts: Olive oil, walnut oil, rape oil, sunflower oil. Soy oil, corn oil and butter can be used in small amounts, but these fat types should not be your only fat source. If you only use these fat types, you will not get all essential fatty acids that the body need to work properly. Things to be avoided in the diet are: Snacks, fast food, fat read meat, cookies, margarine, chemically altered fat and sweet beverages.
