What is type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is when your body cannot process insulin properly. The human body utilizes glucose, or sugar, to fuel the cells. When a person develops type 2 diabetes, the cells begin to resist this process. As a result, the levels of sugar in the blood builds up, circulating and potentially causing damage. Type 2 diabetes is more common for older individuals, and is more prominent in African-Americans, Hispanics, American-Indians, and Asians.
The exact cause of type 2 diabetes is unclear, but medical science recognizes some key risk factors such as:
- Being overweight
- Fat distribution around the belly
- Inactivity
- Family history
- Race
- Age
- History of gestational diabetes
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome
What role does insulin play in developing type 2 diabetes?
People with type 2 diabetes have cells in their body that become resistant to insulin. Think of insulin as a key that unlocks the door to these cells to let sugar in to be metabolized. When a person has type 2 diabetes, it's like the key stopped working and the door won't open.
Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas. When insulin works properly, sugar enters the cells and levels in the blood stream drop. When insulin doesn't work, the patient's blood sugar levels become dangerously high and the cells have no fuel for energy.
What are other types of diabetes?
- Prediabetes is a condition where your blood glucose level is slightly elevated. This is a risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes later on if not controlled.
- Gestational diabetes only occurs during pregnancy and is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes.
- Type 1 diabetes refers to a condition where your pancreas stops producing insulin. Once that happens, the patient needs to compensate by taking synthetic insulin for the rest of their lives.
What complications develop from having type 2 diabetes?
Developing type 2 diabetes can lead to long-term complications, which is why Dr. Estimé screens for it. Some of the complications include:
- Heart disease
- Nerve damage
- Kidney damage
- Eye damage
- Foot damage
- Hearing impairment
- Skin conditions
- Alzheimer's disease
Dr. Estimé can help prevent these problems by working with you to create a treatment plan, and help you develop healthy lifestyle habits to manage your weight, eat right, and stay active.
