All About Type 2 Diabetes
Diabetes means you blood glucose, or blood sugar, is too high. Type 2 is the most common form of diabetes. Having Type 2 diabetes means the body is not making enough insulin and results in relying on pills or shots over a lifetime.
Who Is at the Greater Risk?
- People over the age of 45
- People with a family history of diabetes
- People who are overweight
- People who don’t exercise regularly
- People with low HDL cholesterol or high triglycerides and/or high blood pressure
- Certain ethic groups like non-Hispanic Blacks, Hispanic/Latino, Asian, Pacific Islanders, Native Americans, and Alaska Natives.
- Women who had gestational diabetes or who have had a baby weighting 9 pounds or more at birth
- Children born to women who had gestational diabetes
What are the Health Risks?
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Blindness
- Kidney failure
- Amputation of feet or legs
What Can You Do to Protect Yourself?
- If you’re at greater risk, talk to your health professional and asked to be tested. Even if you don’t have diabetes now, you will want to discuss a plan for retesting every 1 to 3 years. When caught early, it is easier to manage and reduce the risk of complications.
Simple Changes in Lifestyle to Help Prevent or Delay Diabetes
- Make time for physical activity daily.
- Eat fruits and vegetables
- Eat smaller portions to maintain a healthy weight
