Type 2 Diabetes

Introduction:

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease where glucose levels in the bloodstream increases. The elevation of blood glucose is due to body's resistance to insulin and reduction in insulin production. The function of insulin is to regulate the amount of glucose in the blood. When insulin is released glucose moves from the bloodstream into the cells decreasing blood's glucose level. If blood glucose levels are not lowered and levels are chronically elevated it can lead to many serious complications including heart disease, kidney disease, eye disease, and nerve disease.

Who is at risk for Diabetes:

Obesity, unhealthy eating, sedentary lifestyle puts you had higher risk for diabetes. Patient's with family history of diabetes. Africans, Hispanics and Natives are at higher risk. Females who have polycystic ovarian syndrome or have history of diabetes during pregnancy are also had higher risk.

Signs and Symptoms:

In the beginning when diabetes is mild, patient's are asymptomatic and typically diabetes is diagnosed with routine blood work. However if not catched on routine blood work patient's may end up with marked hyperglycaemia(high blood glucose) and may present with increase thirst, polyuria, fatigue, blurred vision, and weight loss.

Diagnosis:

Type 2 diabetes is diagnosed with fasting blood work. When fasting blood glucose is > 7.0 mmol/L or randon glucose is > 11.1mmol/L. A second confirmatory test is almost always needed. Hemoglobin A1c which is the 3 month average of your blood glucose can also be used to help with diagnosis. Hemoglobin A1c of > 6.5% is consistent with diabetes. A second confirmatory test is almost always required. Patients with fasting blood glucose of 6.1-6.9 mmol/L or Hemoglobin A1c of 6%-6.4% fall in the pre-diabetes cateogray.

Managing Type 2 Diabetes:

Type 2 diabetes can be well managed with the right support. Helpful steps include balanced eating, regular physical activity (about 150 minutes per week), maintaining a healthy weight, not smoking, and regular check-ups to monitor blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol. Your care team can build a plan that fits your life and review your progress over time. Book a virtual visit to discuss your diabetes care.