Adult Type II Diabetes
Bernard Loten
Diabetes is a health risk that affects millions of adults worldwide. In fact, diabetes is one of the six leading causes of death in North America. While it is a condition that poses serious consequences, diabetes can be effectively controlled through medical treatment and positive lifestyle choices.
There are three primary types of diabetes affecting adults. Type I diabetes, also known as juvenile diabetes, is a condition present at birth that remains into adulthood. Type II diabetes is a form of the disease that develops with age. The third type, gestational diabetes, affects women during pregnancy. Each is unique in the onset and development, however many of the symptoms are similar throughout the three types of diabetes.
What Is Adult Type II Diabetes?
One form of the disease, known as adult type II diabetes, is almost always associated with obesity. The actual cause of the disease is not clear. Adult type II diabetes causes the insulin to lose its effectiveness with age, resulting in a build-up of sugars within the blood. Medical practitioners refer to this condition as "insulin resistance". When this occurs, usually in the adult years, the patient is considered to have type II diabetes.
In our generation, adult type II diabetes is an extremely common occurrence. In fact, it's estimated that one in every ninety adults suffers with type II diabetes. The condition historically developed in older adults, but it has been observed that there is a trend toward diagnosis at a younger age.
Insulin Resistance
Insulin is produced in the pancreas, and allows the body to naturally regulate sugars. The failure of this biological regulation is a condition known as insulin resistance. This type of diabetes is also known as "beta cell failure". Some of the most common symptoms are as follows:
* A sudden and noticeable rise in blood glucose levels.
* Fat levels in the blood are increased. When this happens, arteries become susceptible to clogging, and serious heart conditions can occur.
* Blood pressure levels will steadily increase.
* You may experience gout, a condition that causes acute joint pain.
What Are The Common Symptoms Of Adult Type II Diabetes?
The following symptoms can indicate a presence of adult type II diabetes, but may also be common to the other types of the disease:
* Feeling of extreme thirst
* Frequent urination
* Chronic fatigue and tiredness
* Sudden weight loss, although not always pronounced
* Itchiness around the genitalia, caused by yeast infections common to diabetics
* Recurring skin infections and irritations
Living With Adult Type II Diabetes
After your adult type II diabetes diagnosis, there are steps that you should take to make your life as comfortable and normal as possible:
* Before you do anything else, alter your diet. Work with your doctor to determine a dietary plan that will keep your glucose levels in check.
* Increase your intake of fiber and eliminate as many fats as possible
* Learn to perform regular blood glucose level checks. You may also need to inject yourself with insulin when required. Be diligent in performing these very important tasks.
* Keep your doctor's number within reach at all times. You need to be able to call for immediate medical help and expert advice, just in case of an emergency arises.
If you are one of the millions of people affected by adult type II diabetes, find out more about the disease and the treatments. Knowledge is a very powerful way to battle the disease, so take the time to learn all you can, and build a strong defense for the sake of your good health.
Contributor Bernard Loten provides material for several Internet magazines, on http://shakeable.com/ health discovery and http://shakeable.com/articles/new/adult-type-ii-diabetes-explained.html my diabetes issues. Click here for other http://www.uberarticles.com/?id=35157&b=79 unique 'diabetes' articles.
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