Diabetes, Type II Overview

Diabetes is caused due to malfunctioning of the endocrinal system of our body resulting in abnormally high blood sugar levels. Normal blood sugar level should lie between 120-140 mg/dl and a level higher than this indicates diabetes. The insulin hormone secreted from pancreas is essential for glucose metabolism, which releases energy to carry out all physiological functions. Diabetes occurs either due to insufficient insulin secretion or when our body responds poorly to the functions of insulin hormone. Type 2 diabetes is caused when our body fails to respond properly to the functions of insulin. Malfunctioning of the insulin receptor cells is mainly responsible for type 2 diabetes.

Gestational diabetes, another form of type 2 diabetes, affects pregnant women in some cases. Diabetes can affect people of any age group, irrespective of sex and ethnicity. This disease has become a source of serious health concern globally in the past few decades with the US alone recording 23 million cases. Diabetes has been recognized as a lifestyle disease as millions fall prey to it annually due to unhealthy lifestyle. Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to a number of serious complications like kidney problem, renal failure, cardiovascular diseases and stroke which can be life threatening. Blindness, hearing problem, nerve damage, erectile dysfunction and depression are some other serious consequences that crop up due to type 2 diabetes.

Excessive thirst, frequent urination, dryness in mouth, slow healing of wounds, abrupt weight loss, increase in appetite, abnormal craving for food, fatigue, blurred vision, yeast infections and a general feeling of weakness are the commonly observed symptoms of type 2 diabetes. People with a family history of diabetes are at a higher risk of developing this disease than others. Obesity, faulty dietary habits, sedentary lifestyle, aging and a previous history of gestational diabetes are other notable risk factors.

Diabetes is mainly diagnosed through fasting blood sugar test in which the amount of glucose in the blood is measured in fasting condition. The person undergoing the test has to remain on a fast for at least 8 hours. Normal blood sugar level in fasting condition should lie below 100mg/dl. Fasting blood sugar level above 120mg/dl for two consecutive days may indicate type 2 diabetes. Random blood sugar test is also carried out to detect diabetes, and a random blood glucose level above 140-200mg/dl indicates diabetic condition. Type 2 diabetes can be prevented and controlled through lifestyle modifications.

Diabetes cannot be cured but it can be controlled. Diabetics can control their blood glucose levels appreciably by altering their diet and lifestyle. Omitting sugar from the diet and reducing carbohydrate intake accompanied by regular physical workouts is the first and foremost step of treatment prior to medication. The diet of a diabetic should be high in fiber and protein and low in carbohydrates and saturated fats. Rigorous workouts are advised for overweight and obese patients as obesity poses a serious threat.

Doctors encourage diabetic patients to give up a sedentary lifestyle and adopt a nutritious diet. These two factors play a major role in controlling blood sugar levels and maintaining overall physical fitness. Alternative treatments in the form of herbal supplements and remedies have been applied for diabetes treatment since ages, but most of them are yet to be scientifically proved. FDA approved anti hyperglycemic drugs, D-4 inhibitors and synthetic drugs mimicking insulin are widely used for treating type 2 diabetes. Researchers are trying to cure diabetes using uterine stem cells.