Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how the body uses glucose (sugar) and turns food into energy.
This happens when the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells become resistant to insulin.
Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas that helps glucose get into the body cells.
Normally, the body breaks down carbohydrates into glucose, which is a type of sugar. Glucose is the body's main source of energy. Insulin, a hormone made by the pancreas, helps glucose get into the cells.
In people with type 2 diabetes, either the body doesn't make enough insulin or the cells don't respond to insulin as well as they should. This causes glucose to build up in the blood. Over time, high blood sugar levels can cause serious health problems, such as heart disease, stroke, blindness, and kidney disease. |
Signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes:
⦁ Extreme hunger.
⦁ Increased thirst.
⦁ Frequent urination.
⦁ Unexplained weight loss.
⦁ Fatigue.
⦁ Blurred vision.
⦁ Slow-healing sore.
What causes type 2 Diabetes? |
Type 2 diabetes is thought to be caused by a combination of factors:
⦁ Age: Type 2 diabetes is more common in people over the age of 45.
⦁ Family history: If you have a family history of type 2 diabetes, you are more likely to develop the condition.
⦁ Weight: Being overweight or obese is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes.
⦁ Race: African Americans, Hispanic Americans, and Native Americans are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than Caucasian Americans.
⦁ Physical activity: People who are physically inactive are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes.
⦁ Certain medications: Some medications, such as steroids, can increase your risk of developing type 2 dia.
