Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes
Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin (the hormone that converts food into energy). There are several types of diabetes, the most common of which is type 2. In fact, about 90 to 95% of people with diabetes have type 2. Diabetes is a chronic disease that has no cure and can cause many serious complications such as eye disease, kidney failure, and nerve damage that can lead to amputation. Having diabetes significantly increases your risk of stroke and heart disease.
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Adults with diabetes have heart disease death rates about 2 to 4 times higher than adults without diabetes |
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Diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness in adults 20 to 74 years of age |
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Diabetes is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease |
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The rate of amputation in people with diabetes is 10 times higher than in people without diabetes |
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Risk factors
The following factors are indicative of your risk for type 2 diabetes:
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Age
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Family history
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Race and ethnicity
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Gestational diabetes (diabetes occurring during pregnancy), or delivering a baby weighing 9 pounds or more at birth
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Being overweight
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Physical inactivity
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Low HDL " good " cholesterol
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High triglycerides
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High blood pressure
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Abnormal fasting glucose screening results
You can reduce your risk of getting type 2 diabetes by eliminating any risk factors you already have. Getting regular health screenings is another way to take control of your risk.
Warning signs
Most people with type 2 diabetes live with it for years without realising that they have it. Many learn they have diabetes only after it causes one of its complications, such as heart disease, stroke, eye damage, nerve damage, and kidney disease. However, these are symptoms some people experience:
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Frequent urination
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Unusual thirst
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Extreme hunger
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Unusual weight loss
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Extreme fatigue
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Irritability
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Frequent infections
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Blurred vision
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Cuts or bruises that are slow to heal
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Tingling or numbness in the hands and feet
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Recurring skin, gum, or bladder infections
Diagnosis and screening of diabetes
One blood glucose screening that is used to aid in the diagnosis of diabetes is the fasting plasma glucose screening. With this glucose screening, a person with a fasting blood glucose level of 126 mg/dL or higher is shown to have diabetes. Fasting is required for this screening because food increases blood glucose levels.
Interested in learning more about diabetes? Read our FAQs.
