by D. P. Noe

Created on: April 04, 2010

In order to understand what type 2 diabetes is, you need to understand the role of the pancreas in the human body. The pancreas is an organ in the human body that produces a hormone known as insulin. If you are diabetic, the pancreas either makes too little insulin or none at all. When we eat certain foods, the human body changes the food we eat into sugar. Insulin is the transport system in the human body that utilizes the sugar to be used as energy. When you do not have enough insulin or the insulin is not functioning properly, sugar remains in the bloodstream causing high blood sugar.

Type 1 diabetes occurs most often in children and young adults. In type1 diabetes, the pancreas produces no insulin and you must take insulin every day or your will die. In contrast, with type 2 diabetes the pancreas still makes insulin, but the cells in the human body are not utilizing glucose properly. Type 2 diabetes occurs most often in adults.

There are genetics that can make you more likely to develop type 2 diabetes as an adult. If you lead a sedentary type lifestyle or are overweight, this can accelerate the onset of type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is sometimes called insulin resistance disease. The beta cells in the pancreas try to keep up with the needs of the body by secreting higher levels of insulin to move glucose into the cells. Over time the beta cells take a beating and become exhausted.

The symptoms of type 2 diabetes can start out slowly and develop gradually over time. Some of the common symptoms that can occur in both types of diabetes include:

* frequent or excessive urination known as polyuria

* excessive thirst known as polydipsia

* sudden unexplained weight loss

* complaints of feeling tired or fatigued

* changes with vision

* skin becomes dry and itchy

* frequent bouts of infections

In order to be diagnosed as a diabetic there is testing that will take place. The diagnosis of diabetes is made when one of these test results occur two separate times.

* fasting blood sugar level is higher than 126mg/dl.

* Glucose tolerance test performed and glucose is greater than 200mg/dl.

* A random blood sugar done without fasting any time during the day that is greater than 200mg/dl.

More commonly physicians utilize a blood test known as A1c. A1c shows how much sugar (glucose) is attached to the hemoglobin in the red blood cells. This test is based on the fact that red blood cells live for approximately three months. The A!c test reveal

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