Type 2 Diabetes
WHAT IS DIABETES?
Diabetes is a problem with your body that causes blood glucose (sugar) levels to rise higher than normal. This is also called hyperglycemia.
When you eat your body breaks food down into glucose and sends it into the blood. Insulin then helps move the glucose from the blood into your cells. When glucose enters your cells, it is either used as fuel for energy right away or stored for later use. In a person with diabetes, there is a problem with insulin. But, not all people with diabetes have the same problem.
The types of diabetes are type 1, type 2, and a condition called gestational diabetes, which happens when pregnant. If you have diabetes, your body either doesn’t make enough insulin, it can’t use the insulin it does make very well, or both.
WHAT IS TYPE 2 DIABETES?
In type 2 diabetes, your body does not use insulin properly. This is called insulin resistance. At first, the pancreas makes extra insulin to make up for it. Over time your pancreas isn’t able to keep up and can’t make enough insulin to keep your blood glucose levels normal. Type 2 is treated it with lifestyle changes, oral medications (pills), and insulin.
Some people with type 2 can control their blood glucose with healthy eating and being active. But, your doctor may need to also prescribe oral medications or insulin to help you meet your target blood glucose levels. Type 2 usually gets worse over time—even if you don’t need to take medications at first, you may need to later on.
HOW IS TYPE 2 DIFFERENT FROM TYPE 1?
In type 1, your body treats the cells that make insulin as invaders and destroys them. This can happen over a few weeks, months, or years. When enough of the cells are gone, your pancreas makes little or no insulin and blood glucose becomes dangerously high.
People with type 1 diabetes take insulin by injection with a syringe, an insulin pen, or an insulin pump.
WHAT CAUSES TYPE 2 DIABETES?
WHAT TREATMENTS ARE USED FOR TYPE 2 DIABETES?
HOW WILL I KNOW IF MY DIABETES TREATMENT IS WORKING?
Getting an A1C test at least twice a year helps you and your health care team keep track of how well you are controlling your blood glucose levels. A1C is part of your diabetes ABCs, which will tell you if your overall diabetes treatment is working. The ABCs of diabetes are:
A is for A1C or estimated average glucose (eAG)
Your A1C test tells you your average blood glucose for the past 2 to 3 months. It’s the blood check “with a memory.” Your health care provider may call this your estimated average glucose or eAG. The eAG gives your A1C results in the same units (mg/dl) as the glucose meter you use at home.
B is for blood pressure
Your blood pressure numbers tell you the force of blood inside your blood vessels. When your blood pressure is high, your heart has to work harder.
C is for cholesterol
Your cholesterol numbers tell you about the amount of fat in your blood. Some kinds of cholesterol can raise your risk for heart attack and stroke.
