Diabetes WA - Type 2

In type 2 diabetes, the body does produce insulin but the insulin is either ineffective, there is not enough being prioduced, or a combination of both. It accounts for approximately 85% of people with diabetes and while this type of diabetes is usually seen in adults, it is now increasingly being seen in teenagers and children. Type 2 diabetes is managed by regular physical activity, a healthy eating plan and maintaining a “healthy waist”. Carrying more body fat, especially around the abdominal organs, makes insulin less efficient at controlling blood glucose levels. This is often referred to as insulin resistance.

Warning signs may include:

Excessive thirst
Frequent urination
Feeling tired and lethargic
Slow-healing wounds
Itching and skin infections
Blurred vision
Mood swings

Research has shown type 2 diabetes to be progressive, that is, it can become increasingly difficult to control your blood glucose levels, therefore tablets and insulin may be required to manage type 2 diabetes later on.

Cause

Type 2 diabetes occurs due to a lack of effective insulin in the body. The problem can be ineffective insulin or not enough insulin, or both. What actually causes type 2 diabetes is unknown at this time, there could possiblyl be more than one cause. Some of the possible causes include; family history, a lack of physical activity, too much body fat or increased age.

While the actual cause or causes of type 2 diabetes are unknown, there are some known risk factors that indicate whether a person may be at increased risk of developing diabetes. Take the tick test here to find out if you are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

What is in our arsenal to prevent type 2 diabetes? How can we fight it?
The opportunity to fight diabetes is centered on the following lifestyle issues:

Being physically active ( finding at least 30 minutes of exercise a day)
Healthy eating patterns (low fat, high fibre, low GI)
Maintaining a healthy waist circumference (men < 94 cm, women < 80 cm)
Quitting smoking
Limiting alcohol consumption

While this arsenal is small, it is also powerful and can make a big difference, so let’s get moving and enjoy a wide variety of healthy foods.

Today the standard treatment for type 2 diabetes is based on a combination of physical activity and healthy eating. The United Kingdom Diabetes Prospective Study (UKPDS) has demonstrated that type 2 diabetes becomes harder to manage as time goes by, so even if you are managing your diabetes well you are unable to achieve the same blood glucose levels that you were previously. This is known as the progression of diabetes and people will find that as time goes by, they will need to change the dose of their medications and increase the number of medications they are taking. Insulin will more than likely become a part of your ongoing management, the rate of progression will vary from person to person as it is unpredictable.

About Diabetes

Type 2

Are You At Risk?

Find Your Healthy Balance

Speak Out About Diabetes