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Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 in Adults

GENERAL INFORMATION:

What is diabetes mellitus type 2? Diabetes (deye-ah-BEE-teez) mellitus is a disease affecting how your body makes insulin and how it uses glucose (sugar). Insulin is a hormone that helps your body use sugar by allowing the sugar to enter body cells. The four types of diabetes are type 1, type 2, other specific types, and gestational diabetes. With type 2 diabetes, your body has trouble using insulin or is not making enough insulin. It usually begins during puberty but can also start even in younger children.

What causes diabetes mellitus type 2? No one knows for sure what causes type 2 diabetes. Normally, when blood glucose level increases, the pancreas (an organ behind the stomach) makes insulin to lower blood glucose levels. In type 2 diabetes, you may have insulin resistance. In insulin resistance, your pancreas keeps making insulin but your body cannot use the insulin correctly. After many years, your pancreas may just stop working and stop making insulin. When this happens, sugar will build up even more in your body.

What puts me at risk of having diabetes mellitus type 2? You may have an increased risk of having type 2 diabetes if you have any of the following:

• Someone else in your family has type 2 diabetes.
  
  
• Type 2 diabetes may develop when your blood sugar level is high but not high enough to be diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.
  
  
• You have had gestational diabetes or have given birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds.
  
  
• You have high blood pressure or high cholesterol (fat) levels in the body.
  
  
• You weigh more than what your caregiver recommends.
  
  
• If you are African American, Latino, Native American, Asian American, Pacific Islander.

What are the signs and symptoms of diabetes mellitus type 2? You may have any of the following:

• Blurred vision (eyesight).
  
  
• Frequent urination.
  
  
• Hungry most of the time.
  
  
• Losing weight without trying.
  
  
• More thirsty than usual.

How is diabetes mellitus type 2 diagnosed? Type 2 diabetes is diagnosed with blood sugar tests. Caregivers will test your blood sugar twice to be sure that you have diabetes. A positive blood sugar result should be repeated the next day. You may have any of the following blood sugar tests:

• Casual plasma glucose: This may be the first blood sugar test done if you have symptoms of diabetes. You may have diabetes if your blood sugar is 200 mg/dl (milligrams per deciliter) or higher.
  
  
• Fasting plasma glucose: After you have fasted (no food or liquid) for eight hours, your blood sugar will be checked. You may have diabetes if your blood sugar is 126 mg/dl or higher.
  
  
• Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT): Your blood will be drawn two or more times during this test. After fasting, the first sample of blood will be taken. You will then be given a glucose drink. Two hours after drinking the liquid, the second sample of blood will be taken. A blood sugar result of 200 mg/dL or higher may mean you have diabetes.

How is diabetes mellitus type 2 treated? Type 2 diabetes can be treated and controlled most of the time. The goal is to keep your blood sugar at normal levels. This can be done by eating the right foods and exercising. You may need to take diabetes medicine daily. You will learn how to check your blood sugar at home. You may have to check your blood sugar level three or more times each day.

How do I check my blood sugar levels? Your caregiver will teach you how to use a glucose monitor. This is a small device that tells how much sugar is in your blood. The monitor uses a small drop of blood from a prick on your finger. Your blood sugar should be between 90 and 130 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter) before meals. After meals, your blood sugar level should be less than 180 mg/dL. Record your blood sugar results in a diary each time you check it. Bring the diary with you when you see your caregiver.

What other health problems can diabetes mellitus type 2 cause? Having uncontrolled high blood sugar levels may damage other body tissues and organs over time. You may be at risk of having one or more of the following if your sugar levels are always high:

• Eye problems that may cause blurred vision or even blindness.
  
  
• Heart attack, stroke, and other problems due to poor circulation.
  
  
• Kidney damage that may cause kidney failure.
  
  
• Nerve damage which may cause numbness and an increased risk of having foot ulcers.

How can diabetes mellitus type 2 be controlled?

• Diet: A diabetes nurse or a dietitian will help you learn what to eat and how food affects diabetes. Caregivers may suggest the following:
  
  
  • Choose foods low in fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol. Lean cuts of meat, fish, and skinless poultry (chicken and turkey), and low-fat milk are good examples.
    
    
  • Choose foods that are good sources of fiber, such as vegetables and whole grain breads and cereals. Legumes, such as garbanzo, pinto, or kidney beans and lentils, are also good fiber sources.
    
    
  • Your caregiver may suggest limiting how much carbohydrates you eat. Eating too much carbohydrate at one time can cause your blood sugar to rise to a very high level. Carbohydrates are found in starches (bread, cereal, starchy vegetables, and beans), fruit, milk, and yogurt. Sweets, such as candy, desserts, or regular soda also contain carbohydrates.
    
    
  • Eat the same amount of food for your meals and snacks about the same time every day.
    
    
  • Never skip a meal.
  
  
• Exercise: Controlling your weight by exercising can change the amount of insulin your body needs. Try to get 30 minutes of exercise every day. Work with your caregiver to plan the best exercise program for you.

Where can I find support and more information? Having type 2 diabetes is a life-changing disease for you and your family. Accepting that you have diabetes may be hard. You may want to join a support group which is a group of people who also have type 2 diabetes. Contact the following for more information:

• American Association of Diabetes Educators
  American Association of Diabetes Educators
  100 West Monroe Street, Suite 400
  Chicago, IL 60603-1901
  Phone: 1-800-338-3633
  Web Address: http://www.aadenet.org
  

• American Diabetes Association
  1701 North Beauregard Street
  Alexandria, VA 22311
  Phone: 1-800-342-2383
  Web Address: http://www.diabetes.org
  

• National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse
  1 Information Way
  Bethesda, MD 20892-3560
  Phone: 1-800-860-8747
  Web Address: www.diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/
  

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

Copyright © 2009. Thomson Reuters. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

References and sources