Type 2

Type 2 diabetes, the most common type that  happens when your glucose is too high for a prolonged period of time.  

In this type, your body doesn’t make enough insulin or doesn’t use it well.  Too much glucose stays in your blood, and not enough gets to your cells to bring your sugars down.

It begins with insulin resistance, where muscle, liver and fat cells do not use insulin well. As a result, the body needs more to help for glucose enter your cells. At first, the pancreas makes more insulin to keep up with the added demand. Over time, it can’t make enough insulin, and glucose levels rise.

You can develop T2 at any age, however, it is typical in middle age and older people, especially over age 45+, have a family history, are overweight or lead a sedentary lifestyle. 

Inactivity, pre-diabetes, gestational diabetes or high blood pressure increase chances of T2.  

Symptoms include:

• increased thirst and urination
• increased hunger
• feeling tired and blurred vision
• numbness/tingling in hands or feet
• sores that do not heal
• unexplained weight loss

Symptoms can be slow, over the course of several years, and can be mild that you might not even notice them or you may not have any symptoms. Some people don't know until they have related problems, such as blurred vision or heart disease.

Treatment includes meal planning, activity and medication. In some cases.   

You should reduce intake of refined carbs, avoid smoking, exercise regularly, and maintain a normal  weight and BMI.