Type2Diabetes

____________________________________

               Type 2 Diabetes
FACTS YOU NEED TO KNOW, YOU COULD
HAVE IT AND NOT KNOW IT PLEASE READ
_____________________________________

CLICK ON THE RED HIGHLIGHTED PARAGRAPH HEADINGS TO READ MORE ON
EACH SUBJECT FROM THE AMERICAN DIABETES ASSOCIATION. THIS IS WHERE I
THE INFORMATION.
Many of us with type 2 Diabetes can control it with pills and/or diet, exercise and not
have to face the daily insulin injections

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 sugar. Sugar is the basic fuel for the cells in
the body, and 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.

While diabetes occurs in people of all ages and races, some groups have a higher risk
for developing type 2 diabetes than others. Type 2 diabetes is more common in African
Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, and Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders, as well
as the aged population.

                                     Conditions & Treatment
Arm yourself with information about conditions associated with type 2 diabetes, and
how to prevent them. Conditions associated with type 2 diabetes include
hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia. You will also find helpful information about insulin,
oral medications, various diagnostic tests including the A1c test, managing and
checking your blood glucose, and tips on what to expect from your health care provider.

                                            Complications
Having type 2 diabetes increases your risk for many serious complications. Some
complications of type 2 diabetes include: heart disease (cardiovascular disease),
blindness (retinopathy), nerve damage (neuropathy), and kidney damage
(nephropathy). Learn more about these complications and how to cope with them.

               Diabetes Learning Center for the Recently Diagnosed
You've just been diagnosed with diabetes. Chances are you have a million questions
running through your head. To help you answer those questions, and take the first
steps toward better diabetes care, visit the Diabetes Learning Center -- an area for
people who are newly diagnosed with diabetes, or those needing basic information.

                                       Your Body's Well Being
Make it a priority to take good care of your body. The time you spend now on eye care,
foot care and skin care, as well as your heart health and oral health, could delay or
prevent the onset of dangerous type 2 diabetes complications later in life. Plus, some
of the best things you can do for your body are to stop smoking, and reduce the
amount of alcohol you drink.

                                          Common Concerns
This section addresses various areas to help you live with type 2 diabetes. What do you
do when you're sick? What do you do when you travel? Can you get a flu shot with
diabetes? How do you cope with having type 2 diabetes? Are you being discriminated
against because you have diabetes? You'll find answers to these questions, and more
in this section.

                                            Ask the Pharmacist
The American Diabetes Association and Rite Aid "Ask the Pharmacist" area is where
you can ask a pharmacist a question to help you manage your diabetes. Rite Aid and
the ADA have partnered to allow you to access to Rite Aid's Drug Information Center
from our Web site.

All the Rite Aid pharmacists are specially trained in diabetes management, and are
happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have, online or in Rite Aid
pharmacies. Advice given by pharmacists does not necessarily reflect views of the
American Diabetes Assocation. Before submitting a question, please review the
Frequently Asked Questions and Tips to see if there's an answer for you.

Pharmacists are available Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 11 PM EST and from 9
AM to 6 PM on Saturdays to answer your medication and diabetes management
questions. If your question is submitted other than these times or close to the close of
business, we will respond the next business day. If your question is of an urgent
nature, please contact your local healthcare provider or hospital emergency room.



Women and Diabetes
Learn how to ensure your own health and well-being.

Health Information For Men
Learn how to ensure your own health and well-being.

Definition

Your body needs carbohydrates to keep it going. Carbohydrates, a form of energy,
are broken down into a simple sugar called glucose, which every cell in your body
needs to survive. Glucose passes from the small intestine into the bloodstream.
Cells require the hormone insulin, produced by the pancreas, which allows glucose
to pass from the blood into cells. In type 2 diabetes, the body's cells are resistant to
the actions of insulin and the pancreas produces too little insulin. Glucose builds up
in the blood and spills into the urine. High blood glucose levels cause the health
problems, such as eye and kidney disease, associated with diabetes.

This form of diabetes accounts for 90 to 95 percent of all cases in the United States.
People with type 2 diabetes usually develop the condition after age 45, and the risk
for getting it increases with age. About 18 percent of the U.S. population 65 and older
has diabetes. However, the number of children with type 2 diabetes is increasing
rapidly along with their rising obesity rates. The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention estimates 21 million people have diabetes and 6 million don't know they
have it.

Prognosis

Diabetes does not have a cure. However, the disease can be controlled. Treatment
includes dietary changes, exercise, weight loss and usually oral medications or
insulin injections.

More on Diabetes Type 2:

What Is Type 2 Diabetes?

Could You Have Diabetes?

Hold the Hot dogs and the Baloney

Educating Minorities on Diabetes

Q & A: Obesity Brings Diabetes Risk

Insulin resistance syndrome/metabolic syndrome X

Control Your Diabetes With Exercise

Common Myths About Diabetes

In the Encyclopedia:

Blood-viscosity reducing drugs
Diabetic ketoacidosis
Diabetic foot infections
Diabetes mellitus
Blood sugar tests

Warning Signs: High Blood Sugar (hyperglycemia)

Increased appetite or thirst
Unexplained weight loss
Frequent urination
Blurred vision
Fatigue
Headache

This article was reviewed June 2006, by Simeon Margolis, M.D., Ph.D.Professor of
Medicine, Endocrinology, and Biologic Chemistry, The Johns Hopkins University
School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD.

ALL DIABETES SUFFERERS need to pay close attention to our feet also. Like
the foot soldier in Vietnam, it's extremely important to make sure our feet stay dry and
get washed every day, Making sure to pay close attention between the toes drying
between the toes, and put on clean socks every day. I'm sure we all do that, but it's
even more important if you have Diabetes.

It's also extremely important to check our feet daily too. Look for any abnormalities,
spots ect. Use a mirror to check the bottom of your feet, or have your spouse check
your feet for you. If you should find any spots or abnormalities get with your care giver
right away, these could and will turn into something more serious.

When you go to see your health care provider, doctor, even for a routine check-up,
take your shoes and socks off to remind him, or her, to check your feet too.

NEVER go barefoot, or walk around the house with just your socks on, (like I have a
bad habit of doing) get a good pair of house shoes and wear them. (NO FLIP-FLOPS)
ANY injury to your feet may cause more trouble than you want. The worst being you
could loose your foot/feet. I have known some to loose part of their legs too. We don't
want or need that!!! TAKE CARE OF YOUR FEET, TAKE CARE OF YOUR BODY.
EXERCISE, EAT RIGHT AND BE SURE TO TAKE ANY AND ALL MEDS PRESCRIBED
BY YOUR DOCTOR, HEALTH CARE PROVIDER

Have your wife, or you do it yourself, but look in Wal-Mart for a cook book with recipes
for Diabetes. Called Diabetes Cook Book (or something like that) Jean found one for
around $ 20.00 and it has some tasty recipes in it along with daily meal planning. Just
because we have Diabetes does not mean we can't eat good tasty meals, just watch
your portions, eat smaller amounts and eat more snakes in between meals ie; peanut
butter crackers, small amounts of fruit, sugar free cookies, sugar free ice cream, if
you're an iced tea drinker, get iced tea or make it yourself sweetened with Slenda, it
does not leave that after taste Equal or some of the other sweeteners do. I used to put
2 teaspoons of sugar in my morning coffee, now I use one packet of Alten sweetener,
it's a Wal-Mart brand of sweetener (in yellow packets) and it does not leave that
horrible after taste either.

When you go anywhere away from home make sure to carry a candy bar with you just
in case your sugar take a nosedive. Keep candy, regular sugar where you can get a
hold of it at home if necessary, and keep orange juice on hand too. Be sure to eat only
ONE candy bar (small) or ONE glass of orange juice, (the orange juice is the best thing
to do) give it about 15 minutes to work. If your feeling does not go away in that time
then you may need 911.

Warning signs: Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)

Sweating
Trembling
Blurred vision
Rapid heart beat
Tingling, or numbness around mouth or finger tips

I have noticed some of the above along with my peripheral vision getting dark while the
center of what I may be looking at gets bright. One glass of orange juice makes all the
difference in the world. Best thing is know what your body is telling you and act
accordingly, I was told at the VA, if nothing else, and you're not sure, act as if your
blood sugar was low just don't over react, or over do the candy, sugar or orange juice.

Do some research, read all you can, learn all you can, and be sure to eat in
moderation. Keep a check on your sugar level, (VA says type 2 sufferers need only to
test sugar level every other day if NOT on insulin) by doing these things and following
what I have posted here there is no reason we can't live a long enjoyable life with type
2 Diabetes. GOOD LUCK, and I hope at least some of this helps!!

Gary