|  |
 | What is type 2 diabetes? |
|  People with type 2 diabetes have too much sugar (glucose) in their blood. This can be a result of the body not making enough insulin, having a lowered response to insulin (a condition called "insulin resistance"), or both. Type 2 diabetes differs from type 1 diabetes in that type 1 diabetes is always caused by the same thing—the body's inability to make enough insulin. Type 2 diabetes tends to run in families. This is most likely due to specific genes that are passed along. Common symptoms of the disease include unusual thirst; a frequent need to urinate; blurred vision; feeling edgy, tired, or sick to the stomach; increased hunger; and weight loss despite a bigger appetite. Not everyone with type 2 diabetes needs medicines or insulin replacement therapy. For many people, a healthy, low-fat diet and exercise is all they need to get good blood sugar control. But if diet and exercise alone don't lower blood sugar levels enough, your doctor may add oral medicines or insulin injections. Some people claim certain herbs and dietary supplements can control blood sugar levels, but there's no scientific evidence that any of these products work for people with diabetes. Sources:The Merck Manual of Medical Information: Home Edition. Merck & Co., 1997.Micromedex® Healthcare Series. Thomson Micromedex, 2006.American Diabetes Association Complete Guide to Diabetes. The American Diabetes Association, 1997.Type 2 Diabetes. www.diabetes.org. American Diabetes Association. Last accessed 12/2006.Medline Plus. Medline, 2006.This answer prepared 5/25/2000.This information updated 12/6/2006. |
| drug interaction
checker
Is it safe to combine
your medicines?
Find out. |
|
| |
