Your body needs carbohydrates to keep it going. Carbohydrates, a form of energy, are broken down into a simple sugar called glucose, which every cell in your body needs to survive. Glucose passes from the small intestine into the bloodstream. Cells require the hormone insulin, produced by the pancreas, which allows glucose to pass from the blood into cells. In type 2 diabetes, the body's cells are resistant to the actions of insulin and the pancreas produces too little insulin. Glucose builds up in the blood and spills into the urine. High blood glucose levels cause the health problems, such as eye and kidney disease, associated with diabetes.



Type 2 Diabetes is the most common type of diabetes. This disease exists in all populations, but prevalence varies greatly, i.e., 1% in Japan, and greater than 40% in the Pima Indians of Arizona. In whites the figure is somewhere between 1-2 percent of the entire population. The high incidence of Type 2 Diabetes in certain groups such as the Pima Indians appears to be a relatively recent development that followed a change in the type of food intake (from relatively little food to plenty of food). With this came the development of obesity within their culture which results in diabetes developing in those that are genetically predisposed.

Risk factors for type 2 diabetes

People aged 45 and over who are obese or overweight, have high blood pressure or have a first-degree relative with type 2 diabetes.

People with cardiovascular disease such as heart attack, angina, stroke, or narrowed blood vessels.

Women with polycystic ovarian syndrome who are overweight.

The most common symptoms of diabetes type 2 for adults are: excessive thirst, increased urination, fatigue, and blurred vision. Children may experience symptoms that differ from the ones listed above

Diabetes Symptoms

Many people have no signs or symptoms. Diabetes symptoms can also be so mild that you might not even notice them. Nearly six million people in the United States have type 2 diabetes and do not know it.

Type 2 Diabetes Symptoms

blurry vision

cuts or sores that are slow to heal

increased urination

increased appetite

urinate frequently. The kidneys respond to high levels of glucose in the blood by flushing out the extra glucose in urine. A child with a high blood sugar level needs to urinate more frequently and in larger volumes.

Drink a lot of liquids. Because the child is peeing so frequently and losing so much fluid, he or she can become very thirsty. He or she drinks a lot in an attempt to keep the levels of body water normal.

Blurred vision, skin that is dry or itchy, frequent infections or cuts and bruises that take a long time to heal are also signs that something is amiss. Again, when these signs are associated with diabetes, they are the result of high glucose levels in the body. If you notice any of the above signs, schedule an appointment with your doctor. He or she will be able to tell you if you have reason to be concerned about a diagnosis of diabetes.