By
Dr Michael Hutch
  

 Type 2 Diabetes Information

Type 2 Diabetes - What Is It?

Type 2 diabetes is one form of a disease that happens when blood glucose levels go above normal and stay there. Diabetes in general occurs when the body doesn’t produce enough insulin. The body cells require insulin to break down glucose into energy. Without enough insulin, the body’s glucose levels begin to rise. That can lead to long-term damage to the muscles and nerves all over the body. There are usually two ways that Diabetes can develop. The first is when the pancreas stops producing insulin. Patients with this form have Type 1, or juvenile, diabetes. Most people with this form of diabetes develop it in childhood or as young adults.

The second way diabetes form is when the cells of the body begin needing more and more insulin in order to convert glucose to energy. This condition, insulin resistance, can worsen over time. Over time, the pancreas reaches a point where it cannot produce enough insulin for the body. That causes glucose levels to rise. Patients with this form have Type 2 Diabetes, or adult onset. People with this form of diabetes develop it at any age from childhood through senior years. Diabetes can form in a third way as well. Some pregnant women cannot produce enough insulin as they get into the final months of pregnancy. Their blood glucose levels begin to rise. Patients with this form have gestational diabetes. This form usually disappears after the birth.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. Who is vulnerable to getting this disease? It happens in many populations including African Americans, Native Americans, Asian Americans, Latino Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. It is more prevalent as people begin to age. Those who are overweight can also be susceptible to the disease. Anyone in the general population can develop Type 2 under the right circumstances. It is a growing problem and health threat in the United States and in the Western World.

What does Type 2 diabetes cost the United States every year? As of 2007, over 23 million people of all ages had diabetes in one form or the other. That is 7.8% of the total population. Every year over 1.5 million people get a new diagnosis for Diabetes. In 2005, diabetes directly caused or contributed to the deaths of over 233,000 people in the country. When everything factors in, it costs over $200 billion each year in medical and non-medical costs.

By
Dr Michael Hutch
  

 Type 2 Diabetes Symptom

Type 2 Diabetes – Symptoms

The symptoms of type 2 diabetes often do not appear for years. They build gradually and don’t become apparent until they reach critical levels. If you have a family history of diabetes or are severely overweight, be on the lookout for these symptoms. The first one to consider is frequent urination and increased thirst. Your body automatically flushes the excess glucose out through the urine. As the glucose builds, the kidneys increase the amounts of urine to keep up. Urination requires fluids. The kidneys begin drawing on the body cells to keep the fluid levels up. This causes the increased thirst and the increased urges to urinate.

Another symptom set of type 2 diabetes is increased hunger and unexplained weight loss. Glucose is a major energy source cells use. They use insulin to convert the glucose into energy. With cells not converting the glucose efficiently, the cells call for more energy in the form of food. This triggers the increased hunger needs. Now, on the other hand, no matter how much extra you eat, your body’s cells are not getting the energy and nutrients they need. That triggers them to look elsewhere for energy. They begin to draw on the body’s stored fat for energy. They also can draw on the muscle cells. This begins an unexplained drop in weight.

As the body begins to deal with the excess glucose and lost energy, it begins to affect other parts of the body. With Type 2 Diabetes, common symptoms include fatigue, blurred vision, sores that heal slowly, and more infections than normal. As the cells fight to get energy, it causes a person to feel depleted and tired. As the kidneys draw on the body’s fluids for urination, it depletes the amount of fluids in the eyes. This can lead to blurry vision. The fight for energy makes the body’s immune system begin to diminish. A small sore can take weeks to heal due to the depressed immunity. It also lets small common infections get out of control.

A common symptom that type 2 Diabetes patients report are velvety dark skin patches in the folds of the body under the arm, in the groin area and around the neck. These patches go by the name of acanthosis nigricans. It is actually a marker to physicians that something may be wrong in the body. Keep your eye out for these symptoms to catch the disease before it becomes critical.

By
Dr Michael Hutch
  

 Type 2 Diabetes Info

Type 2 Diabetes – Causes

Dealing with Type 2 diabetes means you need to understand the underlying causes. With a healthy system, the body turns food into glucose and sends it to the body’s cells. The body’s cells use this glucose as energy. However, in order for the cells to convert the glucose to energy, they need insulin. The pancreas releases insulin as needed. The insulin travels to the cells and there it helps convert glucose into energy the cells can use. That is how everything should work.

In those that have Type 2 diabetes, something is not working properly. The cells of the body begin needing more and more insulin to convert the same amount of glucose. This condition goes by the name of insulin resistance. For a short while, the pancreas increase production to keep up with the increased demand. However, at some point, the pancreas cannot keep up the pace. That is when the glucose levels begin to rise in the blood stream. After awhile, the body cannot deal with the elevated glucose levels.

Now, what causes the insulin resistance that leads to Type 2 Diabetes? The most prevalent causes are obesity and lack of physical activity. In fact, it is the reason for over 90% of new cases diagnosed every year. Recent research may have uncovered one reason why obese people have such a high prevalence of the disease. In studies with mice, researchers found a new hormone produced by fat cells. They dubbed this new hormone, resistin. In mice that were obese, the amount of resistin in the blood rose dramatically. In mice that were not, the amounts were far lower. Resistin appears to increase the body’s cells resistance to insulin. Why or how this happens is currently unknown. Research is ongoing at this point.

Genetics definitely play a role in Type 2 diabetes, however. Children with parents that have it are very likely to develop it themselves. With the right Diet and exercise, most can avoid the consequences of the disease even if they have a genetic predisposition towards the disease. What are some other causes? Aging is another risk factor for developing the disease. Those over 45 have an increasing risk. Those over 65 have a significant risk of the disease. Other links to those developing this form of Diabetesinclude a history of gestational diabetes, polycystic ovary disease, or vascular disease. Having knowledge is the first step to successfully managing and treating this disease.

By
Dr Michael Hutch
  

 Cure For Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 Diabetes - Is There A Cure?

Is there a cure for Type 2 Diabetes? According to the dictionary, cure means to end a disease, illness, or disorder with medical treatment. If you use that definition, then, no, there is no cure for adult onset diabetes. There is nothing in medical science at this time that will completely end the disease through medical treatments. However, in many patients, studies have show that it is reversible and manageable. Many people develop the disease because of a sedentary lifestyle and obesity. By changing those facts, the disease will often become less severe and in some cases disappear. Many patients make changes to their Diet and begin exercising. Within a short period, the symptoms of their diabetes begin to diminish.

Is exercise and diet changes the cure for type 2 Diabetes? The answer is unfortunately no. There are some patients that get to the point where managing their diabetes through exercise and Diet is not enough. They need to take insulin intravenously to keep their glucose levels in check. Fortunately, there have been vast improvements in diabetes treatments over the years. New drugs are in development that helps regulate how the body deals with insulin resistance. Insulin treatment is less invasive than in years prior.

The best cure for any disease, including type 2 diabetes, is preventing it in the first place. If you are overweight or have a family history of the disease, it is important to keep your eyes peeled for any development of common symptoms. It is even more important to take steps to avoid developing the disease. Making changes in Diet and exercise will often keep the disease from developing in the first place. Have regular blood screenings to see if you have developed the disease or have pre-diabetes. By doing the work up front, you can avoid doing the work later to manage the disease.

What is on the horizons for a cure for Type 2 Diabetes? Several studies underway hold promise in the future. The focus of much of the research is finding a way to reverse the body’s insulin resistance. Researchers have isolated several factors they believe lead to the build-up of insulin resistance. They are currently researching ways to reduce this resistance, bring insulin production, and use back to normal ranges. While most developments are years in the future, there is hope on the horizon. More and more clinical trials happen every year with new treatments.

By
Dr Michael Hutch
  

 Type 2 Diabetes Symptom

Type 2 Diabetes - Warning Signs

What are the warning signs of type 2 diabetes? The common list of symptoms include increased thirst or hunger, dry mouth, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, blurred vision, and even headaches. In many patients, the disease develops slowly over several years and the warning signs become a part of life instead of signals of a problem. That is why it is important to tell your doctor of any changes, even minor. It is also important to be aware of the symptoms if you have a family history of the disease or if you have weight issues.

The warning signs of Type 2 Diabetes relate directly to the development of the disease. The disease develops when a condition called insulin resistance starts. Normally, the cells in the body use insulin to turn glucose into glycogen. Glycogen becomes an energy source for those cells. In some people, something causes the cells’ ability to absorb insulin to diminish. This means the cell doesn’t have the insulin it needs to convert as much glucose as before. When this happens all over the body, the amount of glucose begins to increase in the blood stream. That increase in glucose begins to show through the symptoms recognized as warning signs for the disease.

Many of the warning signs of type 2 diabetes relate to each other. Frequent urination comes from the fact that the kidneys need to extract the excess glucose from the body. They send it out through the urine. Therefore, the patient needs to go to the bathroom more often. Frequent urination causes the body to dehydrate. That leads to the increased thirst urges. The body is demanding more fluids. That is also, why dry mouth occurs. The body is calling for all fluids in order to extract the excess glucose. The diminished fluids in the body can lead to blurred vision as well. The fluids in the eye help keep focus. When they diminish, the eye cannot compensate for the lack of fluids and vision blurs. Headaches often happen because of fluid loss as well.

When the cells of the body cannot convert the glucose efficiently, they begin to look for other sources of energy. They call on the fat cells to get energy from stored deposits. That is why many patients experience excess weight loss. The body also sees this search for energy as a need to eat more. Thus, hunger increases. The inefficient use of energy leads to that feeling of fatigue. Every warning sign of type 2 diabetes is related and needs monitoring.

By
Dr Michael Hutch
  

 Information On Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 Diabetes - Complications to Your Health?

There are very serious complications that can develop from type 2 Diabetes. The complications seem to develop differently based on age, gender, and family origins. It is important for all patients to monitor for all potential complications as they can develop anywhere in anyone. In men, the chances are higher that the patient will develop heart disease or have a stroke. They also experience high levels of kidney damage due to the excess glucose and high blood pressure related to the disease. Some men develop vision problems and even blindness. Gum disease is another common complication that men develop. They also get nerve damage or may experience sleep apnea.

Women have some type 2 diabetes complications related to child bearing. When a woman has diabetes and gets pregnant, they have a higher chance of miscarriage than others do. The baby may also have birth defects related to the mother having diabetes. Some women do not develop Diabetes until they are pregnant. However, developing gestational diabetes indicates a much higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. Women who have babies weighing over nine pounds are also much more likely to develop it later as well. Women of African American, Hispanic, American Indian, Asian, and Pacific Islander descent are much more likely to develop the disease than their Anglo counterparts will. Women often develop depression and eating disorders because of a diagnosis.

People of African American descent have a higher rate of Type 2 Diabetes than the general population. Almost 15 percent of African American population over 20 has the disease. Twenty five percent of women in this group over age 55 have it. They have an increased risk of blindness as well. They also have higher incidences of kidney disease, amputations, heart disease, and permanent nerve damage. Among Native Americans, the statistics are even worse. They have an even higher chance of developing the disease as African Americans. Almost 30% of that population likely has pre-Diabetes at any given time.

For those of Asian or Pacific Islander descent, they have a high chance of developing type 2 diabetes even if they do not have weight issues. With excess weight, the chances skyrocket. A family history of the disease or a sedentary lifestyle also contributes to the high rates. No matter whom you are or what your background is, it is important to work to prevent these complications before they happen. Most complications are not reversible.

By
Dr Michael Hutch
  

 Information About Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 Diabetes – Facts

One fact about Type 2 diabetes is that is the most common form of the disease. It makes up between 90 and 95% of all people who have it. Another fact is that the disease affects mostly adults. However, there are an increasing number of juveniles receiving diagnoses for it every year. Another fact is that those with a family history of this disease have a substantially higher risk of developing it themselves. This is especially true in those of African, Asian, Native American, or Pacific Islander descent. One very important fact is that anyone, no matter there heritage, can develop this form of Diabetes if they become obese.

One fact many people are not aware of is that those with a diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes often can treat it with diet and exercise. These changes often break down the insulin resistance that is a major factor in developing the disease. Another fact is that it can lead to dehydration in some cases. As glucose builds in the blood stream, it has to go somewhere. The kidneys regularly flush this out through urination. That is one reason why so many people with diabetes have frequent urination urges. However, when this happens too often it can leave the person dehydrated as a result. Another fact that patients need to know is that severe dehydration can lead to a Diabetic coma.

Another fact that patients with Type 2 diabetes should know is that high glucose over time can damage the blood vessels in most vital organ systems. It can also lead to hardening of the arteries. It is a leading contributor to heart attacks and strokes as well. People hear of diabetic patients needing a foot or leg amputated. This happens when the disease begins doing intensive nerve damage in the extremity. Many patients begin with numbness. Due to the lack of sensation, the patient often begins getting infections and poor circulation problems. At the extreme end, this can lead to amputation.

Facts about Type 2 Diabetes must look at treating the disease once it happens. As stated before, Diet and exercise are common ways of treating the disease. Most people do not need extra insulin. However, in some cases, patients may need to monitor their blood glucose and take insulin. This is not always permanent if they begin to lose weight and eat right. Use a diagnosis as a wakeup call, not a death knell.

By
Dr Michael Hutch
  

 Information About Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 Diabetes - How Serious Is It ?

Take type 2 diabetes extremely seriously. If the patient does not manage and treat it properly, the disease can lead to very serious complications such as vision loss, heart disease, and amputation. When combined with other factors, it can lead to death. One of the worst things about this form of the disease is that it may be doing damage for years before a patient detects it and gets treatment. Many patients do not receive proper diagnosis until one or more complications that are serious have developed. The silent long-term damage can be immense and irreparable.

For those just diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, make the changes necessary now in order to hold off the complications of the disease. This means making the appropriate changes in diet and exercise that your doctor recommends. It means stopping some bad habits that may exacerbate your condition such as smoking or drinking alcohol and sugary drinks. It means taking care of you properly in order to avoid the long-term complications of the disease. One of the best ways to take care of you is education. Keep on top of the latest news about Diabetes and its treatment. Regularly visit your doctor for the latest advice he has. Don’t think that you can wait awhile to deal with the disease. Start now to stop the damage.

Type 2 diabetes is a costly disease in terms of health as well as money. Money seems to spin some people’s wheels, so here are some facts related to money. As the disease progresses, the patient begins to deal with increasing medical costs. With insurance, they still may face tens of thousands in uncompensated medical costs. That money comes out of their pocket. As the disease contributes to other conditions, the costs escalate. It costs thousands when someone has a heart attack, eye damage, stroke, and circulation problems. There are untold costs when it leads to premature disability and death. If you don’t worry about your health, you might want to think about your wallet.

When children and teens receive a Type 2 Diabetes diagnosis, the adults in their lives need to take it very seriously. They are facing a lifetime of dealing with this disease. If not managed properly, their life may be short. It is not something to dismiss or diminish in their lives. They need to learn to manage it and make the changes necessary to deal with it. If they do not, those costs will be too high.

By
Dr Michael Hutch
  

 Type 2 Diabetes Info

Type 2 Diabetes - What Happens To My Pancreas?

When faced with a diagnosis of diabetes, education is extremely important. The pancreas is often a bit of a mystery for most people. This thing sits in the abdomen and secretes hormones. The most famous secretion is insulin. However, understanding this gland can help patients understand their diagnosis. The pancreas itself is an endocrine gland. Its primary function is secretion of pancreatic fluid after a meal. Inside the pancreas, though, are other small clusters of tissue that relate to insulin production. These go by the name of the islets of Langerhans.

The islets of Langerhans contain four different types of cells: beta, alpha, delta, and gamma. The beta cells produce the insulin. Insulin performs many functions. It helps some cells convert glucose into glycogen, which those cells use for energy. It helps convert certain amino acids into protein. It works in fat cells to take in glucose and aids in turning it into fat. It also helps reduce appetite in the hypothalamus gland. Insulin’s role in glucose regulation is how it relates directly to Diabetes. Diabetes develops either when the islets of Langerhans stops producing insulin or when the muscle cells begin to lose their ability to process insulin efficiently.

Type 2 diabetes develops when muscle cells begin to lose their ability to process insulin efficiently. In normal cases, the muscle cells absorb the glucose and use insulin to turn it into glycogen. In those with diabetes, the muscle cells only convert a small portion of the glucose in the blood. This condition goes by the name of insulin resistance. The cells require more insulin to convert the same amount of glucose. For a short time, the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas will increase production of insulin. However, that is not sustainable over the long run. Gradually, the amount of excess glucose begins to build in the blood stream.

In those with Type 2 Diabetes, over time, in the pancreas, the beta cells in the islets of Langerhans that produce the insulin begin to  line over time. The amount of insulin produced diminishes. This exacerbates the insulin dependency that many in the later stages of the disease exhibit. To combat this, research looks to restore the amount of insulin produced. One area of research underway looks at the possibility of transplanting healthy islets of Langerhans into the pancreases of those with diabetes. There have been no successful transplants, but it is something that may happen in the future.