Causes, Prediabetes, Symptoms, Risk Factors, and Treatments
Causes:
The text books tell us that Type 2 Diabetes is a when a person has high levels of sugar in the blood. It begins when the body does not respond correctly to insulin, a hormone released by the pancreas. Diabetes is caused by a problem in the way your body makes or uses insulin. Insulin is needed to move glucose (blood sugar) into cells, where it is used for energy. If glucose does not get into the cells, the body cannot use it for energy. Too much glucose will stay in the blood, causing the symptoms of diabetes.
However, with new research some doctors are finding out that Type 2 Diabetes is a disease of insulin and leptin signaling problems, a metabolic miscommunication.
Insulin’s main role is to take extra energy when available and store it for future times of need, not to control blood sugar. It seems that leptin is responsible for the accuracy of insulin signaling. It tells the body and brain how much energy to store in fat, or to get rid of some, or get some more fat and what to do with the energy it has.
The brain and the liver play important roles communicating with leptin to help figure out if you’re hungry, how much energy to burn or store which turns into fat. Leptin and fat influence inflammation in the body which is directly associated with diabetes.
Prediabetes:
In
Prediabetes,
blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be defined as diabetes. However, many people with prediabetes usually develop type 2 diabetes within 10 years. Prediabetes also increases the risk of
heart disease
and stroke. With modest weight loss and moderate physical activity, people with prediabetes can delay or prevent type 2 diabetes.
Symptoms:
The following are the most common symptoms of type 2 diabetes. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:
- frequent infections that are not easily healed
- high levels of sugar in the blood when tested
- high levels of sugar in the urine when tested
- unusual thirst
- frequent urination
- extreme hunger but loss of weight
- blurred vision
- nausea and vomiting
- extreme weakness and fatigue
- irritability and mood changes
- dry, itchy skin
- tingling or loss of feeling in the hands or feet
Some people who have this type of diabetes exhibit no symptoms. Symptoms may be mild and almost unnoticeable, or easy to confuse with signs of aging. Half of all Americans who have diabetes do not know it.
The symptoms of type 2 diabetes may resemble other conditions or medical problems. Always consult your physician for a diagnosis.
Risk Factors:
Risk factors for type 2 diabetes include the following:
A risk factor is anything that may increase a person's chance of developing a disease. It may be an activity, such as smoking, diet, family history, or many other things. Different diseases, including
cancers,
have different risk factors.
Although these factors can increase a person's risk, they do not necessarily cause the disease. Some people with one or more risk factors never develop the disease, while others develop disease and have no known risk factors.
But, knowing your risk factors to any disease can help to guide you into the appropriate actions, including changing behaviors and being clinically monitored for the disease.
- Age - People over the age of 45 are at higher risk for diabetes.
- family history of diabetes
- being overweight
- not exercising regularly
- race and ethnicity - Being a member of certain racial and ethnic groups, such as African-Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Native Americans increases the risk.
- history of
gestational diabetes,
or giving birth to a baby that weighed more than 9 pounds
- a low level HDL (high-density lipoprotein - the "good cholesterol")
- a high triglyceride level
Medical Treatments:
The goal of treatment is to keep blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible.
Emphasis is on control of blood sugar (glucose) by monitoring the levels, regular physical activity,
meal planning,
and routine healthcare.
Often, type 2 diabetes can be controlled through losing weight,
improved nutrition,
and exercise alone. However, in some cases, these measures are not enough and either oral medications and/or insulin must be used.
Treatment often includes:
- proper diet
- weight control
- an appropriate exercise program
- regular foot inspections
- oral medications, other medications, and/or insulin replacement therapy, as directed by your physician.
