The Diabetes epidemic....Type 2

[Deeje]

@Thief wanted me to start a thread on this topic so here's a starter....85% of people with diabetes have type 2...what is the difference between type 1 and type 2?

The main types of diabetes include:
Type 1: Occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks and kills the beta cells of the pancreas. No, or very little, insulin is released into the body. As a result, blood glucose builds up in the blood instead of being used as energy. About five to 10 per cent of people with diabetes have type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes generally develops in childhood or adolescence, but can develop in adulthood.

Type 1 diabetes is always treated with insulin. Meal planning also helps with keeping blood glucose at the right levels.

Type 2: A progressive condition in which the body becomes resistant to the normal effects of insulin and/or gradually loses the capacity to produce enough insulin in the pancreas. Type 2 diabetes is one of the major consequences of the obesity epidemic. The combination of significant changes to diet and the food supply, combined with changes to physical activity with more sedentary work and less activity, means most populations around the world are seeing more type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes also has strong genetic and family related risk factors. Type 2 diabetes accounts for 85% of all diabetes and is increasing.

Pre-diabetes: A condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal, although not high enough to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Pre-diabetes has no signs or symptoms. People with pre-diabetes have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular (heart and circulation) disease. Without sustained lifestyle changes, including healthy eating, increased activity and losing weight, approximately one in three people with pre-diabetes will go onto developing type 2 diabetes.


Can Type 2 diabetes be avoided?
Being diagnosed with impaired glucose metabolism doesn’t mean that you will get type 2 diabetes but you are at a 10-20 times greater risk than those with normal blood glucose levels. Strong evidence shows that type 2 diabetes can be prevented in up to 58% of cases in the high risk (pre-diabetes) population by eating well and exercising."

https://www.gisymbol.com/diabetes-e...MI-9f6_ebx6AIVxHwrCh3dFgEeEAAYAiAAEgJ9QvD_BwE

Anyone here with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who would like to share some information or experience?

 

[Thief]

I have no diagnosis...but
some elderly relatives that have passed....did mention the condition

as for me....
I've been blood testing for some time
and my numbers hover at 150 down to 110

one weekend brought I home a small watermelon
and out of routine....no one wanted any
so....I ate the whole thing
all of it
it was good
my sugar count spiked 280

I'm ok

but....
does that spike ?...point to a weakness

 

[Gambrinus]

I don't know what my number was at the time but I experienced increased thirst so bad that I wouldn't go anywhere without a water bottle until I found out that I had pre-diabetes. I have since then reduced my sugar intake (a work in progress) allowing me to leave the water bottle at home.

. Increased thirst is a big red flag that should not be ignored and hopefully it is seen before it is too late. From what I have read you won't have increased thirst until you do have type 2 diabetes.

 

[Agnostisch]

I believe that type 2 can be reversed. The doctors may tell you that it cannot. I believe one of the main things that can help is getting rid of ALL grains, processed foods, and buying yourself a good quality juicer. From what I know, a good target blood sugar for type 2 diabetics should be in the 5.0-6.0 range. You don't want to go much lower than 4.8 mmol/l, and don't want to significantly exceed 6.0 mmol/l, from what I have read.

 

[It Aint Necessarily So]

From what I know, a good target blood sugar for type 2 diabetics should be in the 5.0-6.0 range.

You're probably referring to the hemooglobin A1c, not serum glucose. Glucose levels that low would lead to severe consequences - death probably.

Hb A1c is a measure of the mean glucose levels over a period of months, and can help identify glucose intolerance, whether prediabetes or diabetes.

I have no diagnosis...but some elderly relatives that have passed....did mention the condition

as for me.... I've been blood testing for some time and my numbers hover at 150 down to 110

one weekend brought I home a small watermelon and out of routine....no one wanted any so....I ate the whole thing all of it
it was good my sugar count spiked 280. I'm ok

but....does that spike ?...point to a weakness

Yes, it points to glucose intolerance.

I'm a retired internist (specialist in internal medicine)

Your numbers suggest a degree of glucose intolerance, assuming the 110-150 are fasting (no calories for 8+ hours). A hemoglobin A1c level can help you understand whether this is a problem

I don't know what my number was at the time but I experienced increased thirst so bad that I wouldn't go anywhere without a water bottle until I found out that I had pre-diabetes. I have since then reduced my sugar intake (a work in progress) allowing me to leave the water bottle at home.

. Increased thirst is a big red flag that should not be ignored and hopefully it is seen before it is too late. From what I have read you won't have increased thirst until you do have type 2 diabetes.

The thirst is a result of excessive urination (polyuria). The kidneys cannot concentrate urine (retain fluid) when it is too sugary, so fluid that it would like to retain is excreted leading to thirst..

 

[Twilight Hue]

@Thief wanted me to start a thread on this topic so here's a starter....85% of people with diabetes have type 2...what is the difference between type 1 and type 2?

The main types of diabetes include:
Type 1: Occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks and kills the beta cells of the pancreas. No, or very little, insulin is released into the body. As a result, blood glucose builds up in the blood instead of being used as energy. About five to 10 per cent of people with diabetes have type 1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes generally develops in childhood or adolescence, but can develop in adulthood.

Type 1 diabetes is always treated with insulin. Meal planning also helps with keeping blood glucose at the right levels.

Type 2: A progressive condition in which the body becomes resistant to the normal effects of insulin and/or gradually loses the capacity to produce enough insulin in the pancreas. Type 2 diabetes is one of the major consequences of the obesity epidemic. The combination of significant changes to diet and the food supply, combined with changes to physical activity with more sedentary work and less activity, means most populations around the world are seeing more type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes also has strong genetic and family related risk factors. Type 2 diabetes accounts for 85% of all diabetes and is increasing.

Pre-diabetes: A condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal, although not high enough to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Pre-diabetes has no signs or symptoms. People with pre-diabetes have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular (heart and circulation) disease. Without sustained lifestyle changes, including healthy eating, increased activity and losing weight, approximately one in three people with pre-diabetes will go onto developing type 2 diabetes.


Can Type 2 diabetes be avoided?
Being diagnosed with impaired glucose metabolism doesn’t mean that you will get type 2 diabetes but you are at a 10-20 times greater risk than those with normal blood glucose levels. Strong evidence shows that type 2 diabetes can be prevented in up to 58% of cases in the high risk (pre-diabetes) population by eating well and exercising."

Diabetes Explained - Glycemic Index Foundation

Anyone here with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who would like to share some information or experience?

You've done a pretty good job already.

I have type 2 which I blame my own obesity for it. I was originally on 1000 mg of metformin.

I lost weight and am now on 500mg.

All I had to do is make a few dietary changes. I stopped drinking regular soda and switch to diet. I eat less meat than I used to, and increased my vegetables.

I stopped using salt with the exception of what's necessary to keep alive, and the pounds came off in my diabetes situation improved.

my doc says it's entirely possible I could get off diabetes completely.