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Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 Diabetes

What is type 2 diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that affects the way your body metabolizes sugar (glucose). Glucose is an important source of fuel for the body, so maintaining healthy proper glucose levels is very important.

To fully understand type 2 diabetes it is important to know what insulin is. Insulin is a hormone that regulates the movement of sugar into your cells. When you have type 2 diabetes, your body either resists the effects of insulin or doesn’t produce enough insulin to maintain a normal glucose level.

Who is affected by type 2 diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes more commonly affected adults in the past, however, there has been a significant increase of type 2 diabetes in children and adolescents due to the increase of childhood obesity.

What can put someone at risk for developing type 2 diabetes?

  • Being overweight is a primary risk for developing this disease.

  • If your body stores fat primarily in your abdomen

  • A lack of physical activity

  • If a parent or sibling has type 2 diabetes

  • Untreated prediabetes

  • Developing gestational diabetes during pregnancy

  • Having been diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

Symptoms associated with type 2 diabetes:

  • Increased thirst and frequent urination

  • Increased hunger

  • Weight loss

  • Fatigue

  • Blurred vision

  • Slow-healing sores or frequent infections

  • Areas of darkened skin

If you notice any of these symptoms, it is important to meet with your doctor.

Complications associated with type 2 diabetes:

Diabetes can affect many major organs of the body, so it is critical to keep your blood sugar levels in check in order to help prevent the following complications:

  • Heart and blood vessel disease including coronary artery disease, heart attack, stroke, atherosclerosis, and high blood pressure

  • Nerve damage (also known as neuropathy) which can cause tingling, numbness, burning or pain at the tips of the toes or fingers and spreading upwards

  • Kidney damage (kidney failure where sometimes dialysis or kidney transplants are required)

  • Eye damage (potentially cataracts, glaucoma or even blindness)

  • Foot damage (severe damage can ever result in toe, foot, or leg amputation)

  • Hearing impairment

  • Skin conditions, such as being more prone to getting bacterial and fungal infections

  • An increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease.

Diagnosing type 2 diabetes:

If you notice any of the symptoms listed above, it is important to schedule an appointment with your primary care physician or an adolescent medicine specialist. Your doctor will be able to detect if you have type 2 diabetes and will either continue to treat you or refer you to an endocrinologist (a doctor who specializes in hormonal disorders).

Type 2 diabetes is generally detected through the glycated hemoglobin (A1C) test, which is a type of blood test. If this test isn’t available to you or you have some condition that could skew the test results (such as being pregnant) you may be given a random blood sugar test, a fasting blood sugar test, or an oral glucose tolerance test.

When should you get screened for type 2 diabetes:

  • If you notice any of the symptoms listed above that are associated with type 2 diabetes.

  • Beginning at the age of 45, particularly if you are overweight

  • People who are under 45 and overweight if there are other heart disease or diabetes risk factors present, such as a sedentary lifestyle, a family history of type 2 diabetes, a  personal history of gestational diabetes, or blood pressure above 140/90.

Can type 2 diabetes be cured?

There is no cure for type 2 diabetes, however the disease can be managed by:

  • Eating well

  • Exercising regularly

  • Maintaining a healthy weight

  • Taking diabetes or insulin therapy

  • Using diabetes medication or insulin therapy when indicated

  • Blood sugar monitoring

Prevention:

Type 2 diabetes is a VERY preventable disease given that lifestyle factors are the main contributors to developing this disease. Healthy lifestyle choices can help prevent:

  • Type 2 diabetes from developing

  • The progression of prediabetes into diabetes

  • Serious health complications for those who have already been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes

So what healthy lifestyle choices are key?

  • Choice foods lower in fat and sugar and high in fiber. Focus your diet on fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

  • Exercise. Try to schedule 30 minutes of moderate physical activity a day. You can walk, run, bike-ride, swim, exercise through sport team practices, or anything else that gets you moving.

  • Lose weight if you are overweight. You can speak with your doctor, a nutritionist, and/or a fitness trainer for tips of how to do this safely, effectively and with a higher chance of long-term results.

If you are experiencing any of the above listed symptoms, or have questions or concerns related to type 2 diabetes, talk to your primary care physician or an adolescent medicine specialist. If you don't have a doctor and live in northern New Jersey, you can call the Adolescent/Young Adult Center for Health at 973-971-5199 for an appointment with an adolescent medicine specialist or contact your local teen health center. You can also contact your insurance company for a list of in-network providers.

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