Type 2 Diabetes has been on the rise for quite some time. It is now common knowledge that the overall increase in obesity levels in the United Kingdom and the United States have contributed wildly to this statistic that we are faced with. Being grossly overweight has been proven to be one of the key causes to the disease. Recognizing the symptoms of the disease is vital in order to counteract the other complications which can arise due to having diabetes.

Common symptoms include fatigue, caused by your body depriving your cells of the vital sugars they need. This can then lead to excessive urination and thirst due to a massive build up of sugars in the blood stream. Another typical sign is blurred vision and the feeling of being faint or light headed. This again is due to sugar levels in the blood. Increased hunger is also something to be concerned about, a lack of insulin in the body makes it difficult to move sugars into cells and causes the need for extra energy leaving sufferers feeling hungry.

If you are worried that you or someone you know is suffering from any of these symptoms, it is vital that you see your gp as soon as you can. The sooner type 2 diabetes is diagnosed the sooner it can be treated with the correct lifestyle changes and advice from a health practitioner. Fortunately with the right diet diabetes can be kept under control and sufferers can continue to lead a fulfilling life.

It is true that diabetes can bring certain complications which impede the normal development of daily tasks. However, with proper treatment and following recommendations indicated by your doctor, you can enjoy a healthy life.

If you fail in taking precautions and care, diabetes damages various organs in the short and long term, especially those directly related to the nervous and circulatory systems increasing the chance of suffering a heart attack or cerebral issues. It also can cause vision problems and even sexual impotence.

Diabetes without adequate control will have serious consequences for the individual, such as the amputation of one or more of their extremities (hands, feet) due to internal damage or other infections.

Diabetic Neuropathy

Diabetic neuropathy is a diabetes complication that can cause nervous disorders in the body. The factors that influence their development are:

* Heritage. Some genetic traits can be constraints; there are people more susceptible to nerve disease than others.

* High glucose in the blood. It causes chemical changes in nerves and their ability to transmit signals. It also has the potential to damage the blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients to them.

Although the intimate mechanisms by which occurs diabetic neuropathy are not fully known, it is known that nerve fiber changes structurally due to the accumulation of substances derived from the metabolism of glucose in excess, causing the loss of the normal coating of nerve fibers: myelin. The loss of this protection causes a delay in the capacity of transmission of nerve information, both of reception and movement commands as well as other kinds. In addition to this direct mechanism, vessels that irrigate the nerves can become clogged by common mechanisms with other chronic complications of diabetes.

The symptoms of this condition are: numbness in the hands or feet, sore hands, feet or legs; problems in internal organs like the digestive tract and heart, as well as sexual organs. This can cause indigestion, diarrhea,bladder infections, impotence, weakness, weight loss and depression.

Treatment can include pain medications, antidepressants drugs, topical creams, stimulation therapy, relaxation training and acupuncture. Now, you must know that there are preventive treatments that can keep us away from any symptoms related to this condition. Note that one of the most important measures is to control levels of sugar in the blood. Take your medicines as your doctor suggested to the letter. Prefer a variety of nutritious foods and avoid foods with lots of fat and sugar. If you are overweight, ask your doctor how to lose some pounds.

Every year on November 14, the International Diabetes Federation celebrates World Diabetes Day. In 2007, this day became an official United Nations Day with the passage of United Nation Resolution 61/225. The goal of the campaign is to draw attention to diabetes and how important it is for the average person to have a reasonable knowledge of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. During the next five years, the event coordinators plan on emphasizing diabetes education as well as prevention programs.

The International Diabetes Federation is composed of 212 member associations in more than 160 countries and territories. All of them are member states of the United Nations. November 14 is observed because it honors the birthday of Frederick Banting who is known as one of the discoverers of insulin. He actually thought up the original idea which led to the discovery of insulin way back in 1922.

Experts have estimated the number of people with diabetes world-wide has reached around 285 million and because diabetics need to deliver 95% of their own care, learning how to stabilize their insulin and blood sugar levels, ongoing education is necessary.

The International Diabetes Federation estimates that over 344 million people throughout the world are at risk for type 2 diabetes.

The risks for developing type 2 diabetes include:

• obesity and carrying excess abdominal weight
• insufficient exercise
• unhealthy eating habits
• increased age
• high blood pressure
• elevated cholesterol levels
• a family history of diabetes
• diabetes during pregnancy (gestational diabetes)
• ethnic background including Asian, Hispanic, Indigenous people (Australia, US and Canada) and African American

Do you know the warning signs of diabetes?

They include:

• frequent urination including during the night time
• dry mouth and excessive thirst
• eating more food but losing weight (type 1 diabetes)
• feeling hungry soon after eating and weight gain (type 2 diabetes)
• fatigue and weakness
• blurred vision
• frequent infections
• slow-healing wounds
• tingling sensation in your hands and feet
• fuzzy head and lack of ability to concentrate

Do you or someone you love have any of these warning signs of type 1 or type 2 diabetes? If so, do not hesitate to make an appointment to see your healthy care provider so a diagnosis can be made and treatment started. Type 2 diabetes is a condition of lifestyle… following a healthy eating plan and increasing physical activity to thirty minutes a day at least five times a week will help to lower blood sugar levels.