Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and is different from type 1 diabetes. In most type 2 diabetes cases, your body produces enough insulin, but the body doesn’t use the hormone properly.
When there is plenty of insulin produced by the pancreas but the presence of the hormone doesn’t trigger the cells to use it for energy, it is considered “insulin resistant.” Insulin resistance causes an increase in your blood sugar level.
According to the Centers of Disease Control, 1 in 3 adults are at risk of type 2 diabetes and about 27 million people in the US suffer from the disease. In some cases, symptoms may be very mild, or there may not be any apparent symptoms at all! However, when symptoms exist, they may include:
Like with type 1 diabetes, over time, high blood sugar from type 2 diabetes can damage your heart, blood vessels, kidneys, eyes, and nerves. It can also inhibit healing and sexual response. The good news is that when working with the physicians and diabetes educators at Rocky Mountain Diabetes Center, proper treatments will delay and even prevent complications. Treatments will be discussed that include recommended lifestyle changes in diet and exercise and may also include medication, and insulin therapy.
For more information, the American Diabetes Association has extensive information about type 2 diabetes on their website, or give us a call.