Type 2 Diabetes: Understanding Your Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a progressive, life-long condition that can be managed with diet, exercise and medications.
It is important to understand your diabetes and what steps you can take to help maintain your overall health.
What is type 2 diabetes?
Our bodies need insulin to use the glucose (sugar) found in foods for energy.
In our body, cells inside the pancreas produce insulin which helps manage the amount of sugar in the blood. Type 2 Diabetes occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or the body becomes resistant to insulin. Often it is a combination of both factors that result in elevated blood sugars.
Type 2 Diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. Approximately 90% of individuals have this type. It can be managed through diet, exercise and medications.
Symptoms of type 2
- Unusual thirst or hunger
- Unexplained weight loss
- Frequent urination
- Extreme fatigue or loss of energy
- Blurred vision
- Frequent or recurring infections
- Cuts or bruises that are slow to heal
- Tingling or numbness in hands or feet