Diabetes mellitus type 2 (patient information): Difference between revisions

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(New page: '''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here''' ==What is diabetes mellitus type 2?== Diabetes is a disease in which blood glucose levels are above norm...)
 
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'''Are you at risk for diabetes mellitus type 2?''' [http://www.diabetes.org/food-nutrition-lifestyle/lifestyle-prevention/risk-test.jsp| Take the American Diabetes Association Risk Test!]
'''Are you at risk for diabetes mellitus type 2?''' [http://www.diabetes.org/food-nutrition-lifestyle/lifestyle-prevention/risk-test.jsp| Take the American Diabetes Association Risk Test!]
==Diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus Type 2==
There are two different tests your doctor can use to determine whether you have pre-diabetes:  the fasting plasma glucose test (FPG) or the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).  The blood glucose levels measured after these tests determine whether you have a normal metabolism, or whether you have pre-diabetes or diabetes.  If your blood glucose level is abnormal following the FPG, you have impaired fasting glucose (IFG); if your blood glucose level is abnormal following the OGTT, you have impaired glucose tolerance (IGT).
                                          [[Image:FPG-new.gif|200px]] [[Image:OGTTColorfinal.gif|200px|OGTT]]
                                            FPG                          OGTT

Revision as of 18:39, 20 July 2009

For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here

What is diabetes mellitus type 2?

Diabetes is a disease in which blood glucose levels are above normal. Type 2 diabetes, also known as adult-onset diabetes, is the most common form of diabetes, accounting for 90-95% of all diagnosed cases of diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, either the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. Insulin is necessary for the body to be able to use glucose for energy. When you eat food, the body breaks down all of the sugars and starches into glucose, which is the basic fuel for the cells in the body. Insulin takes the sugar from the blood into the cells. When glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into cells, it can cause two problems:

  • Right away, your cells may be starved for energy.
  • Over time, high blood glucose levels may hurt your eyes, kidneys, nerves or heart.

How do I know if I have diabetes mellitus type 2? What are its symptoms?

Pre-Diabetes

Before people develop type 2 diabetes, they almost always have "pre-diabetes" -- blood glucose levels that are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. There are 57 million people in the United States who have pre-diabetes. About 11 percent of people with pre-diabetes in the Diabetes Prevention Program standard or control group developed type 2 diabetes each year during the average 3 years of follow-up. Other studies show that many people with pre-diabetes develop type 2 diabetes in 10 years. Recent research has shown that some long-term damage to the body, especially the heart and circulatory system, may already be occurring during pre-diabetes.

Symptoms

People with diabetes may exhibit some or none of the following symptoms:

  • Frequent urination
  • Excessive thirst
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Extreme hunger
  • Sudden vision changes
  • Tingling or numbness in hands or feet
  • Feeling very tired much of the time
  • Very dry skin
  • Sores that are slow to heal
  • More infections than usual

Who is at risk for diabetes mellitus type 2?

Risk factors for type 2 diabetes include:

  • Older age
  • Obesity
  • Family history of diabetes
  • Prior history of gestational diabetes (type of diabetes that only pregnant women get)
    • nearly 40% of women with a history of gestational diabetes developed diabetes in the future
  • Impaired glucose tolerance
  • Physical inactivity
  • Race/ethnicity

African Americans, Hispanic/Latino Americans, American Indians, and some Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are at particularly high risk for type 2 diabetes.

Are you at risk for diabetes mellitus type 2? Take the American Diabetes Association Risk Test!

Diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus Type 2

There are two different tests your doctor can use to determine whether you have pre-diabetes: the fasting plasma glucose test (FPG) or the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). The blood glucose levels measured after these tests determine whether you have a normal metabolism, or whether you have pre-diabetes or diabetes. If your blood glucose level is abnormal following the FPG, you have impaired fasting glucose (IFG); if your blood glucose level is abnormal following the OGTT, you have impaired glucose tolerance (IGT).

                                           OGTT
                                           FPG                          OGTT