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Diabetes Library: What is Diabetes?

Overview: Diabetes Mellitus Type 2

By Jessica DuLong

Prevention

A recent Government study, sponsored by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), indicated that keeping blood sugar levels as close to normal as safely possible reduces the risk of developing major complications of diabetes.

Along with regulating glucose levels, other health management steps can reduce risk of serious injury due to DM 2. Getting regular eye exams, for example, can help to quickly diagnose and treat retinopathy. In addition, having someone else trim your toenails can help prevent foot injuries.

What you can do at home?

The most powerful tool for combating type 2 diabetes (DM 2) is education about the disease and the exercise and dietary recommendations for treating it. The main goal in treating DM 2 is weight loss. A program of regular exercise and balanced nutrition is the best way to combat the disease. A combination of resistance exercise, such as light weight lifting, and aerobic exercise, such as walking, jogging, swimming, or cycling, are the best means to shed extra pounds.

Treatment

The primary means of treating type 2 diabetes (DM 2) is through diet and exercise. Like diabetes mellitus type 1 (DM 1), it is important for someone with DM 2 to limit their consumption of simple sugars such as those found in table sugar, corn syrup, honey, or fruit juices, except as needed for emergency treatment for hypoglycemia due to an insulin reaction. It is also important to limit the intake of quickly absorbable or refined starches such as those found in potatoes and white or processed flours and meals.

The best diet for a person with DM 2 is one containing a variety of lean protein sources — lean meat, fish, poultry, egg whites, tofu and low-fat dairy products — and fresh, low-starch green and colorful vegetables and fresh fruits such as melons, berries, peaches or apples. Foods high in starch should be limited sharply in quantity and should come from beans and unprocessed whole grains, especially oats and brown rice.

While in most cases such lifestyle changes are the best medicine, oral blood-glucose-lowering medications may be necessary. There are four basic categories of oral medications which are used to lower blood glucose: sulfonylureas, metaformin, acarbose, and troglitazone.

Oral antidiabetic drugs	How it works	Possible side effects
Sulfonylureas	Causes the pancreas to produce increasing amounts of insulin
Tolbutamide (Orinase)		Drowsiness Headache Dizziness Nausea Tremor Unconsciousness
Tolazamide (Tolinase)
Acetohexamide (Dymelor)
Chlorpropamide (Diabinese)
Glyburide (Micronase, Glynase)
Glipzide (Glucotrol)

Metaformin (Glucophage)	Increases the body’s sensitivity to insulin	Nausea, Vomiting Diarrhea Abdominal bloating Flatulence Anorexia Unpleasant or metallic taste

Acarbose	Delays the digestion of ingested carbohydrates, thus resulting in a smaller increase in blood glucose levels following meals.	Abdominal pain Diarrhea Flatulence
Troglitazone	Lowers blood glucose by improving the target cell response to insulin without increasing pancreatic insulin secretion	Nausea Diarrhea Headache Dizziness Hypoglycemia Urinary tract infection Back pain

Additional Resources

National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse
1 Information Way
Bethesda, MD 20892-3560
(301) 654-3327
http://www.niddk.nih.gov

Features information about diabetes diagnosis, management and treatment, updates on current research, articles on all aspects of diabetes including "Easy to Read" and Spanish publications, news and events listings, links to other informational and professional organizations.

American Association of Diabetes Educators
100 West Monroe Street, 4th Floor
Chicago, IL 60603
(800) 338-3633
(312) 424-2426
www.aadenet.org

Features a bulletin board for discussion, a database for locating a diabetes educator, virtual meeting rooms for AADE groups, news and research updates, legislative action updates, resources for continuing education of diabetes educators, and products.

American Diabetes Association
ADA National Service Center
1660 Duke Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
(800) 232-3472
(703) 549-1500
http://www.diabetesnet.com/ada.html

Features current research information, clinical trial information, diabetes management tips, technology updates, alternative therapies, links to other internet resources (including "Fun Sites" for adults and children, and shopping.

Juvenile Diabetes Foundation International
120 Wall Street, 19th Floor
New York, NY 10005
(800) 223-1138
(212) 785-9500
http://www.jdfcure.org/about.htm

Features current news and research, legislative action updates, diabetes information in English and Spanish and links to other diabetes sites including national and government sites as well as those maintained by individuals.

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