Type 2 diabetes (previously known as “adult onset”) is caused by the pancreas either not producing enough insulin or the insulin that is produced is not working because the cells are resistant to it. Older, outdated names for Type 2 diabetes are “maturity-onset” or “adult-onset diabetes.” Type 2 diabetes is often diagnosed after age 40, but can occur at any age, particularly in people at high risk. What are the risk factors that increase your chances of developing Type 2 diabetes? Below is a list of some of these factors. Check any risk factors that apply to you.
Risk Factors
- Parents or sibling with diabetes
- Overweight (BMI > 25 kg/m2) (BMI Chart)
- Long term lack of physical activity
- African-Americans, Hispanic-Americans, Native Americans, Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders
- Previous diagnosis of IGT or IFG (prediabetes)
- High blood pressure (140/90 mmHg)
- HDL cholesterol less than 35 mg/dL
- Triglycerides over 250 mg/dL
- History of gestational diabetes
- Delivery of a baby over 9 pounds
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Contact your health care team help you determine how you can address your personal risk factors.
When Cells Are Insulin Resistant
Let’s discuss what happens when cells are resistant to insulin like in Type 2 diabetes. The pancreas makes normal amounts of insulin, which is distributed in the blood. However, the cells can’t use the insulin because there are fewer receptors for the insulin. This increases the amount of insulin in the blood and decreases the amount of glucose in the cells.
Treatment Options
Insulin may be used for Type 2 diabetes, but not necessarily. Some people with Type 2 diabetes may be able to control symptoms with diet and exercise. Others may need to supplement diet and exercise with medications. Each person is different. Prediabetes is the state that occurs when a person’s blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes. Catching symptoms early in the prediabetes stage can help combat Type 2 diabetes.
What is Prediabetes?
What is Diabetes?
What are Complications?
Copyright 2006 Medicine Shoppe International, a Cardinal Health company. All rights reserved.
These materials were adapted from Life with Diabetes: A Series of Teaching Outlines, American Diabetes Association, 2000, Diabetes Care, Volume 27, Supplement 1, January 2004 and Diabetes Forecast, January 2006. Byetta package label., and Symlin package label.