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Most Common Type of Diabetes

According to the American Diabetes Association, over 23 million individuals in the U.S. have diabetes. With diabetes, a person's body does not produce or process insulin properly. There are several types of diabetes including type 1, type 2, gestational and pre-diabetes. The most common type of diabetes is type 2. Fortunately, type 2 diabetes is the most preventable form of diabetes and can often be managed through proper diet and lifestyle changes.

  1. About Type 2 Diabetes

    • With type 2 diabetes, the body becomes resistant to insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps break down sugar to convert it into energy. When the body becomes resistant to insulin or production of the hormone slows, blood sugar will increase, which can lead to health problems if left untreated. There is no cure for diabetes, but, with treatment, the disease can be successfully managed.

    Symptoms and Tests

    • Common symptoms of type 2 diabetes include excessive thirst and urination, fatigue, weight loss, blurred vision and sores or cuts that are slow to heal. When diabetes is suspected, a series of blood and urine tests will be done to check blood sugar levels.

    Causes and Risks

    • Risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes include age, being overweight, family history of diabetes and physical inactivity. Native American, African American, Hispanic and Asian Americans also have an increased risk for developing diabetes.

    Treatments

    • Individuals with diabetes will need to monitor their daily blood sugar or glucose levels with a glucose testing kit. A controlled diet of healthy foods and exercise may be all that is needed to control type 2 diabetes in some people. This approach not only stabilizes blood sugar, it will help remove excess weight that may have helped cause the diabetes to begin with. When diabetes cannot be controlled with diet and exercise, insulin therapy or medication may be prescribed.

    Complications

    • Most people continue to live happy and full lives while controlling their diabetes, but if left untreated, type 2 diabetes can lead to medical complications and even death. There is an increased chance of cardiovascular disease, nerve damage, kidney failure, gum disease, poor circulation and even blindness with diabetes.

    Prevention

    • Many cases of type 2 diabetes may be prevented through lifestyle changes. The National Diabetes Education Program recommends 30-minutes of exercise five days a week to help prevent or delay diabetes. Individuals who are overweight should make an effort to lose excess weight; a 5 to 10 percent loss in body fat can lower diabetic risks considerably. A low-fat high-fiber diet is also recommended for overall good health and to help stabilize blood sugar levels.

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