People ask a number of questions about type 2 diabetes. Below are some of the more commonly asked questions.
Type 2 Diabetes Questions
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Yes. Research has shown that by eating healthy foods and exercising regularly, type 2 diabetes may be delayed or even prevented in up to 60% of cases.
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Type 2 is usually diagnosed in adults over the age of 50, however in recent times there has been a trend towards diagnosis in younger people even teenagers and children.
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Currently there is no cure for type 2 diabetes, however the disease can be managed effectively. Researchers throughout the world are working on a cure.
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Initially type 2 diabetes is treated through lifestyle modification including healthy diet and regular exercise. However, as the disease progresses, people with type 2 diabetes are often prescribed tablets to control their blood glucose levels. Type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease so eventually it may be necessary to start taking insulin to control blood glucose levels. Sometimes tablets may be continued in addition to insulin. Tablets or insulin should be incorporated into your management plan as soon as they are required. This is just the progression of the disease and should not be viewed as any kind of failure on your part.
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You are at a higher risk of getting type 2 diabetes if you:
- have a family history of diabetes
- are older (over 55 years of age ) - the risk increases as we age
- are over 45 years of age and are overweight
- are over 45 years of age and have high blood pressure
- are over 35 years of age and are from an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background
- are over 35 years of age and are from Pacific Island, Indian subcontient or Chinese cultural background
- are a women who has given birth to a child over 4.5 kgs (9 lbs), or had gestational diabetes when pregnant, or had a condition known as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.