1. What Causing Diabetes mellitus Type 2

    Type 2 diabetes results from a combination of 2 abnormalities: 1. Resistance to insulin which stimulates the body to absorb blood sugar and 2. Inadequate insulin production to make up for this resistance. Those with diabetes mellitus type 2 typically are not dependent on daily insulin injections. Type one accounts for about 5 to 10% of all diabetic cases and is due to the destruction of special cells in the pancreas (beta cells) that produce insulin. People who have type 1 are therefore dependent upon daily insulin injections to control their blood glucose levels.

  2. Diagnostic Procedures

    This medical condition is typically diagnosed when any of the following abnormal laboratory test results are present on more than one occasion:

    • Fasting glucose level  greater than or equal to 126 mg/dL

    • Random blood sugar greater than 200 mg/dL

    • Hemoglobin A1C (glycosylated hemoglobin) greater than 6.5

    People who have undiagnosed diabetes often complain of excessive thirst, excessive urination, and/or excessive hunger. Approximately 25 million Americans suffer from this illness and most of these people are over 40 years of age and obese.

    The mainstay of diabetes treatment includes weight reduction and increased activity

  3. Problems Caused by Hyperglycemia

    It is a progressive disease that can lead to numerous health problems if glucose in the blood is not tightly controlled. High sugar levels can damage small vessels and nerves resulting in multiple medical conditions such as:

    • Diabetic eye disease (leading cause of blindness in the United States)

    • Diabetic kidney disease (leading cause of chronic kidney disease in the United States)

    • Diabetic nerve disease (neuropathy)

    • Coronary artery disease

    • Stroke

    • Peripheral arterial disease

  4. Treatment Options for High Glucose Level

    It is a disabling disease that can cause significant increased risk of acquired health conditions and death. The mainstay of hyperglycemia treatment includes weight reduction and increased activity. People have cured their illness with exercise and weight loss. Oral glucose lowering agents are prescribed along with close monitoring of home glucose levels. An example of acceptable home blood glucose values for diabetes Type 2 is below:

    • FBS: 70 – 130 mg/dL

    • 1 hour after eating: less than 180 mg/dL

    • 2 hours after eating: less than 150 mg/dL

    Those with type 2 diabetes typically are not dependent on daily insulin injections. Injected insulin is used to treat this condition type 2 that do not achieve adequate control of their blood glucose levels with diet therapy and weight loss combined with oral medications. It is important that you follow up with your health care provider regularly to monitor your condition and adjust medications and blood sugar goals as appropriate.