Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is a condition where your body does not produce enough insulin, or it does not respond properly to the insulin that is produced.

This results in high levels of sugar building up in your blood stream, which leads to the symptoms and complications of diabetes. The first stage in developing Type 2 diabetes is insulin resistance. This is means that your body is not properly responding to the insulin produced by your pancreas. Your pancreas tries to make up for this by producing more and more insulin until it eventually burns out and produces very little insulin.

Signs and Symptoms

• Excessive thirst, also called polydipsia
• Frequent urination, also called polyuria
• Excessive hunger, also called polyphagia
• Unintentional weight changes (gain or loss)
• Extreme fatigue or lack of energy
• Blurred vision
• Frequent or recurring infections
• Tingling or numbness in hands and feet
• Trouble maintaining or getting an erection
• Slow-healing sores or cuts
• Itching of the skin (usually around the vaginal or groin area)
• Frequent yeast infections
• Velvety dark skin changes of the neck, armpit, and groin, called acanthosis nigricans

Risk Factors for Developing Type 2 Diabetes

There are many risk factors for developing Type 2 diabetes, some you can change, and some you cannot. If any of the following risk factors apply to you, consider speaking with your doctor about being tested for diabetes.

• Being over the age of 40
• Men are at higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes than women
• I have a family member (parent or sibling) with diabetes
• Being a member of a high-risk population (Aboriginal, Hispanic, South East Asian, Asian, or African descent)
• Smoking
• Being physically inactive
• Having had gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy)
• Being diagnosed with pre-diabetes or high blood pressure
• I am overweight, especially if you carry your weight on your abdomen and around your waist

Treatment Options

Type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease and the treatment of it is progressive as well. What treatments your healthcare team recommends to you may change over time. Treatment options may include lifestyle changes, oral medications, or insulin injections.

To find out more about Type 2 diabetes visit albertadiabeteslink.ca.