Type 2 Diabetes - Slideshow

Creator: Krishna Bora
Keywords: Type 2 Diabetes, Type 2 Diabetes management, Type 2 Diabetes prevention, Type 2 Diabetes warning signs, Type 2 Diabetes slide show

Developed by - Krishna Bora, B.Sc. (Microbiology)

Reviewed by - The Medindia Medical Review Team

Last Updated on Feb 24, 2010

1 / 10

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a chronic condition that impairs the body's natural ability to convert sugar into energy.

The disease can affect people of all age groups and is increasingly affecting young adults and children.

2 / 10

Dynamics

Normally after a meal, food is broken down into glucose, a sugar, which is carried by the blood to all the cells where the pancreatic hormone, insulin, transforms it into energy.

In people with type 2 diabetes, insulin is not adequately used in the cells of the muscles, liver, and fat tissues.This leads to an accumulation of sugar in the blood.

3 / 10

Symptoms

The early symptoms of diabetes are very subtle, if present.

About a third of the people who have diabetes are hardly aware that they have the disease.

4 / 10

Warning Signs

Increased thirst / Dry mouth

Increased appetite

Unusual weight gain / loss

Fatigue

Headaches / Blurred vision

Frequent urination

Frequent or slow-healing infections

Itchy skin in the groin area

5 / 10

Non - Modifiable Risk Factors

Age - 45 years and above

Ethnicity- Black American, Hispanic, Native American or Asian

Genetics - Family history of diabetes

6 / 10

Modifiable Risk Factors

Sedentary lifestyle

Body Mass Index (BMI) > 25

Good cholesterol (HDL) < 35mg/dl

Triglycerides > 250mg/dl

High BP in adults > 140/90

7 / 10

Diagnosis

After the person has fasted for eight hours a simple blood test is done to detect 'fasting plasma glucose'. This is the best diagnostic test for diabetes.

In a person without diabetes, the fasting blood glucose is between 70 and 100 mg/dL

If two tests done separately show values greater than normal, then diabetes is confirmed.

8 / 10

Complications

When a person has diabetes there is an accumulation of sugar in the blood which can lead to severe complications.

Eye - retinopathy and blindness

Nerves - weakness

Feet - nerve damage/foot sore/gangrene

Heart Attack / stroke

Kidney disease / failure

9 / 10

Management

Controlled and monitored by low-carbohydrate diet intake

Regular exercises for 30 minutes daily

Medications to control blood sugar

Insulin administration, in some cases

10 / 10

Prevention

It may be reassuring to know that type 2 diabetes is preventable by making a few lifestyle changes

Go for screening if you belong to the increased - risk group

Eat a balanced and healthy diet

Exercise regularly

Avoid being sedentary and always maintain optimal weight