The lowdown on my research about type 2 diabetes.

First of all, when my step-daughter was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, my reaction was shock! She is 39 years old, exercises and is not overweight. The depression she was feeling when she was diagnosed galvanized me into action. Here is what I found out.

By the way, there is no clinical talk here. There are great references listed at the end of this article.

There is a small gland behind your stomach called the pancreas. If it screws up its production of insulin, then glucose (sugar) backs up in your bloodstream. The glucose can't nourish the cells (give you energy) so it leaves the body through the kidneys. That is an over simplification but basically that's the deal.

Risk factors:

• older age
• obesity
• family history
• gestational (onset during pregnancy)
• no physical activity

There are other risk factors. Probably the most important is what you eat. That's why we are here on this page at this site. You will find great nutritional information on the following pages.

Symptoms:

• Blurry vision
• Cuts or sores that are slow to heal
• Itchy skin, yeast infections
• Increased thirst
• Dry mouth
• Need to urinate often
• Leg pain

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If you have any questions, you are encouraged to contact me here.

National Institute of Health

Veteran Affairs