Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Moderated by Valerie Bell, R.N., B.S.N., Family Nurse Practitioner Student
- Being over weight
- Having high blood pressure
- Having high cholesterol
- Being inactive- not exercising
- Having someone in your family who has diabetes
- Having gestational diabetes (diabetes while pregnant)
What are the symptoms?
- Diet: eat right. Choose healthy foods, such as salads, fruits, and vegetables.
Eat fewer sweets. Eat smaller portions. Special lower carbohydrate diets may be ordered by your health care provider. A dietitian may help provide more information and help on healthy eating with type 2 diabetes.
- Weight control: if you are over weight, lose some extra pounds
Losing weight can lower blood sugar.
- Exercise: even 30 minutes a day 5 days a week can help you lose weight. You should check with your health care provider before starting any exercise program.
Use the stairs, walk more, park further away from where you need to go.
- No smoking!
Smoking can have a negative effect your circulation
- Your health care provider will discuss what is best with you
Are there complications?
Blood sugars that are not controlled can lead to blood sugars that are too low
- Diabetes can result in blindness.
- Wear good fitting shoes. No bare feet! Sores on your feet can occur resulting in loss of a limb later on.
- Decreased sensation or burning of the feet can be caused by nerve damage.
- High blood pressure and diabetes can affect your heart and increase the risk for heart attacks
- Blood is filtered by the kidneys; they can be overworked, leak, and stop working properly.
- Gum and teeth problems can occur
- Smoking: affects your circulation… Ban the butt!
Community Resources
- American Diabetes Association (
Toll free: 1-8099-342-2383
Web site: www.diabtes.org
Information about diabetes, exercise, recipes, diabetes prevention, and
research
- American Diabetes Association
Telephone: 717-823-3355
Provides educational materials, materials about complications, support group meetings
- American Dietetic Association
Toll free: 1-800-366-1655
Web site: www.eatright.org
Food and nutritional information
- Centers for Disease Control
Toll free: 1-877-232-3422
Web site: www.cdc.gov/diabetes
Provides information about frequently asked questions, educational programs, statistics, and research
- National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases
Toll free: 1-800-860-8747
Web site: www.niddk.nih.gov
Provides free information all reading levels and answers questions.
- Pennsylvania Department of Health Northeast District Office
Diabetes Nurse Consultant 570-826-2062
Provides resources, education, direction for personal, and community needs.
posted by Brenda @ 1:45 PM
12 comments
12 Comments:
Dear Valerie,
Thank you so much for the wonderful posting on Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Could you give some insight on the use of Human inhaled insulin powder(HIIP) in the management of diabetes. Thank you so much.
Why would I need to take insulin with type 2 diabetes. I thought it was needed only for type 1?
Dear Kathy S.,
Inhaled insulin can be used for both Type 1 Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. For type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, it can be taken with oral diabetic medications and acts as a short acting insulin. The hand held inhaled insulin should be taken 10 minutes prior to meals. It helps to keep blood sugars from spiking at meal time. This may be an option for the patient who would not like to use needles for insulin administration. Smokers and someone who has quit smoking less than 6 months ago are not candidates for inhaled insulin; also, Asthma, COPD or a poorly controlled diabetic may be at increased risk for hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia. You should ask your primary care provider if inhaled insulin is an option for your use if insulin is added to your diabetes treatment.
Val
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Dear Anonymous,
Type 2 diabetes is initally controlled with oral medicine after the patient can not control blood sugars by being physically active and watching their diets. If oral medicines can not manage the blood sugars alone, insulin may be needed to help the pancreas when it can not meet the demand for insulin to match the rise in blood sugars.
Val
Hi Valerie,
Very informative blog. Can you tell me how to determine if someone is a type 1 diabetic or a type 1 diabetic? Thanks!
Mary W.
Dear Mary W.,
Differentiating type 1 and type 2 diabetes melitus (DM):
Most patients with type 1 DM tend to be lean; most with type 2 are obese (but not always)
Most patients with type 2 DM have a family history of DM
Most patients with type 1 DM have experienced weight loss, polyuria and polydipsia before diagnosis; type 2 may have mild symptoms and fatigue is common
Acanthosis nigricans, a hyperpigmentation may be visible on the back of the neck of patients with type 2 DM
Val
I have learned some great things from your blog! Can you tell me about the glycemic index and what it is?
Dear Dana D.,
>
>The glycemic index (GI) is the rating of carbohydrates and their effect
>on your blood sugar. Low GI carbs such as whole grains, oats, fruits,
>and vegetables raise the blood sugar slowly causing less fluctuating of
>your blood glucose and insulin levels.
>
>Eating foods with a higher GI index such as cakes and candies, which
>contain more sugar and starch, raise the blood sugars faster causing
>the body to work harder to maintain insulin and blood sugar levels.
>
>Val
Hi Val,
Interesting info, do you have any info on the insulin pumps that are being used?
Dear Anonymous,
Information obtained from: http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/insulin/
External insulin pumps are devices that deliver insulin through narrow, flexible plastic tubing that ends with a needle inserted just under the skin near the abdomen. About the size of a deck of cards, the insulin pump weighs about 3 ounces, and can be worn on a belt or carried in a pocket. Users set the pump to give a steady trickle or "basal" amount of insulin continuously throughout the day. Pumps release "bolus" doses of insulin (several units at a time) at meals and at times when blood glucose is too high based on the programming set entered by the user. They also can be programmed to release smaller amounts of insulin throughout the day. Refillable cartridges hold enough insulin for about 2 days. Advantages: adjustment for size of meal and flexibility of meal times. Intensive regimens have been shown to improved metabolic control and reduce severity and occurrence of chronic Diabetes Mellitus complications. Disadvantages: Frequent blood glucose monitoring is essential to determine insulin dosages and to ensure that insulin is delivered. Infection can occur at the site. Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) requires availability of 24 hour support and an expert diabetes management team.
FYI: Approaches under Development
Implantable insulin pumps are surgically implanted under the skin of the abdomen. The pump delivers small amounts of insulin throughout the day and extra amounts before meals or snacks. Users can control doses with a remote control unit that prompts the pump to give the specified amount of insulin. The pump is refilled with insulin every 2 to 3 months.
Val
Nice job as blog moderator Val. Good work! Dr. Hage
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