Prevention & Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes
{script_date format="%m/%d/%Y"}Prevention & Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic health problem characterized by the
abnormal metabolism of sugar, or glucose. Insulin is an important hormone
that is responsible for moving glucose into body cells. Persons
affected by type 2 diabetes do not respond properly to body insulin, or
do not produce enough insulin. Common symptoms of the condition
include increased thirst, increased hunger, and unexplained weight loss.
Fatigue and blurred vision also may occur. Those who are overweight or
are inactive are at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Weight loss and increase in physical activity are recommended for
the prevention of type 2 diabetes. A low carbohydrate or low-fat calorierestricted
diet may be recommended. Metformin (Glucophage) is commonly
prescribed for persons with this type of diabetes. This medication
decreases the production of glucose by the liver. Sulfonylurea medications,
such as glipizide (Glucotrol), increase the production of insulin.
Dipeptidyl-peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitor medications, such as sitagliptan
(Januvia), also increase the production of insulin. It is recommended
that persons with type 2 diabetes should also receive the pneumococcal
vaccine and the influenza vaccine each year.