Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. It usually occurs in people over the age of 40 but is increasingly occurring at earlier ages. Type 2 diabetes causes your body to make less insulin or your cells to resist the insulin that it makes. Often, it is a combination of these two things.

Some of the risk factors associated with type 2 diabetes are obesity, family history, lack of activity, and race or ethnicity. Often, symptoms can be absent, or can be mild and appear over years before a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes is made.

You will learn about high blood glucose levels (hyperglycemia) and low blood glucose levels (hypoglycemia). You will also learn about blood glucose testing, meal planning, the benefits of exercise and more.

Hyperglycemia (high blood glucose)

Hyperglycemia is when your blood glucose level is too high.  It is usually a sign that your diabetes is not under control and that your medication is not sufficient.

The signs of hyperglycemia are:

• Going to the toilet frequently (to pass urine)
• Feeling thirsty
• Feeling constantly hungry
• Losing weight
• Feeling tired
• Blurred vision

You may be able to avoid hyperglycemia by eating a healthy diet, drinking regularly and taking your diabetes medication as prescribed by your doctor. If your blood glucose level remains high you will need to increase your insulin dose. Make sure you check your blood glucose level regularly. You may need to talk to your diabetes nurse about changing your insulin or

Hypoglycemia (low blood glucose)

You may hear hypoglycemia referred to as ‘Hypos’. It simply means your blood glucose level is too low. You usually get some warning that hypoglycemia is coming on, but occasionally it can be sudden and cause you to lose consciousness.

The signs of hypoglycemia are:

• Feeling shaky
• Dizziness
• Feeling hungry
• Feeling irritable
• Sweating
• Confusion

You can develop hypoglycemia if you have missed a meal or eaten late, not eaten enough carbohydrate, done a lot more exercise than normal or given yourself too much insulin or medication. Alcohol can also cause hypoglycemia.

Always carry sugary snacks or drinks around with you, glucose (sugar) tablets are good. If you feel the signs of hypoglycemia coming on, eat the sugary snack first. You should then eat something with starch like a sandwich or your next meal too.

Try to avoid hypoglycemia by eating regularly and often. Build up your levels of exercise gradually and be careful that you give yourself the correct dose of insulin or medication. If you are prone to hypoglycemia, you should perform blood glucose tests more frequently and adjust your medication as needed.  Always ask your diabetes nurse, if you are in doubt about what to do or if you experience frequent hypoglycemia.

Sources: US National Library of Medicine,  American Diabetes Association