Type 2 Diabetes
Rising at Alarming Rate

Carol wasn't feeling well lately. She felt tired, extremely thirsty, had "blurry" vision and had several bladder infections in the last six months. She mentioned these things to her doctor and blood tests revealed that she had Type 2 diabetes.

Does this sound like anyone you know? Diabetes rates in America have increased 49 percent from 1990 to 2000. Of the 17 million Americans who have diabetes, six million are unaware that they have the disease. Another 16 million have "pre-diabetes," with blood glucose (sugar) levels between normal and diabetic. Nearly one in five people over the age of 65 has diabetes, mostly Type 2.

With diabetes, the body does not produce or properly use insulin, the hormone needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy. With diabetes, something goes wrong with the normal process of turning food into energy. Food is changed into glucose readily enough, but with Type 2 diabetes, the body either makes too little insulin or it has trouble using the insulin, or both. When this happens, glucose in the bloodstream can't be used by the cells to make energy. Instead, glucose collects in the blood, eventually leading to the high glucose levels associated with untreated diabetes. The cause of diabetes continues to be a mystery, although both genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to play roles.

There are three major types of diabetes:

Type 1 Diabetes. This is when the body fails to produce insulin, the hormone that "unlocks" cells and allows glucose to enter and fuel them. People with Type 1 diabetes must have insulin hormone injections each day. It is estimated that 5 percent to 10 percent of Americans with diabetes has Type 1.

Type 2 Diabetes. This results from insulin resistance (when the body fails to properly use insulin), combined with relative insulin deficiency. Some people with Type 2 diabetes can control their blood glucose by exercise and diet, but many people need to take some type of oral medication and some need to take insulin as well. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form, accounting for 90 percent to 95 percent of people with diabetes.

Gestational Diabetes. This is when high blood glucose levels first occur during pregnancy. It usually disappears after the baby's birth, although women with gestational diabetes are at greater risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life.

Warning signs of Type 2 diabetes. Here are some typical symptoms (however some symptoms may be so mild as to go unnoticed): frequent urination; excessive thirst; extreme hunger; dramatic weight change; irritability; weakness, fatigue; nausea, vomiting; recurring or hard-to-heal skin, gum or bladder infections; blurred vision; tingling or numbness in the hands or feet and itching.

It's important to get diagnosed as early as possible to get help in reducing blood glucose levels. Keeping blood glucose levels near normal can help prevent complications, which are usually caused by changes in the blood vessels and nerves. Unfortunately, they can include eye and kidney disease; heart attack and stoke; numbness or pain in arms, hands, legs or feet; and foot infections leading to gangrene or amputations.

Type 2 diabetes can often be prevented with moderate weight loss and walking 30 minutes, five days a week. If you already have diabetes, work with your health-care team (doctor, nurse, certified diabetes educator and dietitian) to keep your blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol levels normal. If diet and exercise alone don't lower your blood glucose, oral medication and/or insulin injections may be needed. Good blood glucose control can help you live a longer, healthier life!

For more information, call the American Diabetes Association at (800) 342-2383 or visit www.diabetes.org.

This article was prepared by Mary Albrecht, American Diabetes Association. 

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