Type 2 Diabetes and Me

I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes almost 6 years ago (40's). My father had been diagnosed in his mid 50's, it also runs on my mothers side of the family.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, either the body does not produce enough insulin or the cells ignore the insulin. Insulin is necessary for the body to be able to use glucose for energy. When you eat food, the body breaks down all of the sugars and starches into glucose, which is the basic fuel for the cells in the body. Insulin takes the sugar from the blood into the cells. When glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into cells, it can cause two problems: Right away, your cells may be starved for energy. Over time, high blood glucose levels may hurt your eyes, kidneys, nerves or heart. Finding out you have diabetes is scary. But don't panic. Type 2 diabetes is serious, but people with diabetes can live long, healthy, happy lives. What leads to diabetes? Type 1 and type 2 diabetes have different causes. Yet two factors are important in both. First, you must inherit a predisposition to the disease. Second, something in your environment must trigger diabetes. Genes alone are not enough. One proof of this is identical twins. Identical twins have identical genes. Yet when one twin has type 1 diabetes, the other gets the disease at most only half the time. When one twin has type 2 diabetes, the other's risk is at most 3 in 4.There are a number of potential symptoms of diabetes. At the same time, it is important for you to realize that you may not have all of these symptoms. In fact, it is possible to suffer from diabetes and to not exhibit any symptoms of diabetes at all. At the same time, there are several symptoms commonly associated with diabetes. They include: Excessive thirst Frequent urination Extreme hunger Unexplained weight loss Sudden vision changes Often feeling very tired Tingling or numbness in your feet or hands Very dry skin Slow healing sores Abnormal amounts of infections teeth and gum problems Irritability

I was having dental work done and my dentist noticed excessive bone loss and suggested I see my Doctor to be tested. Other than that I had no symptoms.

Type 2 treatment can involve diet, oral medication or insulin injections. Everyones treatment will vary. I take a oral medication in the morning called metformin, I also use a new medication called byetta, which is an injection given before lunch and dinner. I feel very fortunate to have been diagnosed early and have my diabetes under control.

Annoying comments or questions I always get!

1. Did you get diabetes from eating too much sugar? /NO, my body can't process sugar like yours.

2. I could never stick myself to test my blood. / Yes, if your life depended on it, you could. (I do avoid testing, I test once every few days)

3. I'm afraid of needles, I could never inject myself./ Yes, if you had too you could, the needles are very fine & short, you don't even feel it! (I said the same thing)

I would love your feed back and you questions!

xoxo, Cathleen

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