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Diabetes affects more than 30 million Americans. Between 90% and 95% of those individuals have Type 2 diabetes, which can lead to a number of serious issues, such as reduced bone strength, kidney damage, and hearing impairment. Despite how common Type 2 diabetes is, many people don’t know exactly what it entails. If you or a loved one recently received a diagnosis, or if you’re simply curious about the disease, here’s what you should know about Type 2 diabetes.

What Is Type 2 Diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is a disease that impacts how the body processes insulin. Insulin is a hormone that allows blood glucose, or blood sugar, to enter your cells to be used as energy. When someone has Type 2 diabetes, the body either doesn’t respond normally to insulin or doesn’t produce an adequate amount of insulin. Consequently, too much glucose remains in the blood, potentially leading to a variety of health problems, such as heart and blood vessel disease, eye damage, skin conditions, sleep apnea, and reduced bone strength.

What Causes Type 2 Diabetes?

The exact cause of Type 2 diabetes is unknown. However, people face a greater risk of developing the disease if they:

  • Are overweight
  • Are physically inactive
  • Are age 45 or older
  • Are African American, Hispanic or Latino American, American Indian, or Alaska Native
  • Have a parent or sibling with Type 2 diabetes
  • Have experienced gestational diabetes or birthed a baby weighing more than nine pounds

What Are the Symptoms?

bone strengthCommon symptoms of Type 2 diabetes include:

  • Fatigue
  • Blurry vision
  • Frequent urination
  • Frequent thirst
  • Frequent hunger
  • Very dry skin
  • Numb or tingling hands or feet
  • Frequent infections
  • Slow-healing sores

How Is Type 2 Diabetes Treated?

There is currently no known cure for Type 2 diabetes. However, patients can manage or even reverse their condition by eating healthy foods, exercising regularly, losing weight, and monitoring their blood sugar. They may also benefit from insulin therapy or diabetes medication.

 

For expert help managing Type 2 diabetes, turn to OsteoStrong in O’Fallon, MO. Improve bone strength, relieve joint and back pain, and reduce blood sugar levels by visiting this innovative fitness center once a week for a 10-minute training session. The OsteoStrong method also helps people who have osteoporosis, as well as athletes who want to enhance their bone strength and overall performance. Visit their website to learn more about this groundbreaking approach to managing Type 2 diabetes, and call (636) 238-8696 to schedule a session.

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