Type 2 diabetes
Unlike people with type 1 diabetes, people with type 2
diabetes produce insulin. However, the insulin produced is either not enough or
doesn't work properly in the body. When there is not enough insulin or the
insulin is not used as it should be, glucose cannot get into the body's cells
for use as energy. This causes blood glucose to rise.
Type 2 diabetes is most common in people who are over
age 40 and who are overweight. Some people with type 2 diabetes can manage it by
controlling their weight, watching their diet, and exercising regularly. Others
may also need to take an oral glucose-lowering medication or insulin injections.
Gestational diabetes
Gestational diabetes is a high blood glucose level
that occurs during pregnancy. As pregnancy progresses, the developing baby has
an increased need for glucose. Hormone changes during pregnancy also affect the
action of insulin, resulting in high blood glucose levels.
Pregnant women who have an increased risk of
developing gestational diabetes include those who:
- are over 25 years old
- are above their normal body weight
- have a family history of diabetes, and
- are Hispanic, African-American, Native American, or Asian.
Usually, blood glucose levels return to normal after
childbirth. However, women who have had gestational diabetes have an increased
risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
What are the symptoms of diabetes?
The symptoms of type 1 diabetes are often sudden and
severe. These symptoms include:
- Increased thirst
- Increased hunger (especially after eating)
- Dry mouth
- Frequent urination
- Unexplained weight loss (even though you are eating and feel hungry)
- Fatigue (weak, tired feeling)
- Blurred vision
- Numbness or tingling of the hands or feet
- Loss of consciousness (rare)
The symptoms of type 2 diabetes may be the same as
those listed above. Most often, there are no symptoms or a very gradual
development of the symptoms of type 1 diabetes.
Other symptoms include:
- Slow healing sores or cuts
- Itching of the skin (usually in the vaginal or groin area)
- Yeast infections
Diabetes risk factors
Although the causes of diabetes are unknown, the
following risk factors may increase your chance of developing diabetes:
- A family history of diabetes (if a parent or sibling in your family has diabetes)
- Race or ethnic background (the risk of diabetes is greater in Hispanics, African-Americans, Native Americans, and Asians)
- Being overweight (20 percent or more over your desired body weight)
- Hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Abnormal blood cholesterol or triglyceride levels: HDL or "good" cholesterol level under 45 mg/dl for men and 55 mg/dl for women, and/or a triglyceride level over 150 mg/dl.
- Age: Your risk of developing diabetes rises progressively as you get older.
- Use of certain drugs:
- Blood pressure medications (such as thiazides)
- Steroid medications (such as prednisone or Decadron [dexamethasone])
- Hydantoin medications (such as Dilantin [phenytoin])
- Medications for transplant recipients (such as cyclosporine)
- Alcohol, especially if you have been a heavy drinker for years
- Smoking
- History of gestational diabetes (developing diabetes during pregnancy)
or delivery of babies who weigh more than 9 pounds
- Autoimmune disease: Your body's defense system (immune system) attacks certain healthy cells in your pancreas that produce insulin (beta cells).
- Other factors, such as viruses, which may play a part in diabetes development