What Are the Dangers of Type 2 Diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes in the United States. The number of new cases of type 2 diabetes almost doubled, with nearly one case for every 100 adults from 2005 to 2007, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The American Diabetes Association places the number of Americans with diabetes at around 23.6 million people in 2007, which is 8 percent of the population. This is a 13.5 percent increase from 2005.

Identification

• Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body no longer produces enough insulin, which is crucial for the body to use to create energy from glucose. The body takes the food that we eat over the course of a day and breaks down the nutrients into their component parts. The sugars and starches get broken down into glucose, which fuels the cells in the body. Insulin carries the sugar from the blood to the cells. When there is not enough insulin, glucose builds up in the blood instead of being carried to the cells, causing high levels of blood sugar.

Physiological Dangers

• Unchecked, elevated blood sugar levels can cause damage throughout the systems of the body including some complications, according to the American Diabetes Association. Heart disease and stroke can occur from the diminished circulation caused by diabetes. Kidney disease can cause the kidneys to stop filtering the waste products produced by the body, or simply fail altogether. Nerve damage and neuropathy can occur in the nerves that travel throughout your entire body. Foot problems can be caused by poor circulation and/or nerve damage. Eye complications, such as retinopathy, that can lead to blindness, can develop. Skin problems can develop, such as Dermopathy, (which appear as small, circular brown patches on the legs), bacterial infections, fungal infections, diabetic blisters and digital sclerosis. Gastroparesis is a condition when the nerves of the stomach and intestines have been damaged to the point where the movement and digestion of food has been slowed down or even halted.

Mental Dangers

• In a study published in "Neuropsychology," researchers showed that adults with diabetes experienced a, "slowdown in several types of mental processing, which appears early in the disease and persists into old age. . ." The good news is that this slowdown of mental processes appears early in the onset of the disease and tends to remain stable, so there are ways to cope despite those initial declines. Diabetes (both type 1 and type 2) is also a known risk factor in Alzheimer's disease.

Depression

• While not technically a complication of diabetes, according to an article in the journal, "General Hospital Psychiatry," depression is a common side effect of the disease with the rate of depression in those with diabetes being higher than in the general population. To compound this issue, anxiety and stress can cause blood sugar levels to rise.

Solutions

• Diabetes is a disease that affects your whole life. In order to thrive and live a healthy, happy life you must manage your diabetes. You must manage your medications according to your doctor's orders, eat the right foods, and stay physically active. You must monitor your blood glucose as frequently as you need to, and be aware of those situations that can have an impact on your blood sugar levels such as extra excitement and stress. Finally, you must manage your supply of medicines and testing supplies diligently. Pack healthy snacks when you are traveling away from home, and drink plenty of water.