Type 2 Diabetes
Diabetes is a problem with your body that causes blood glucose (sugar) levels to rise higher than normal. This is also called hyperglycemia. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes.
If you have type 2 diabetes your body does not use insulin properly. This is called insulin resistance. At first, your pancreas makes extra insulin to make up for it. But, over time it isn’t able to keep up and can’t make enough insulin to keep your blood glucose at normal levels.
Contact the Endocrine Center Houston to schedule an appointment with a diabetes specialist today.
Why Choose the Endocrine Center Houston?
If you are looking for a Diabetes doctor in Houston for Diabetes Type 1 or Diabetes Type 2, you should consider one of our team of doctors here at the Endocrine Center.
We as a team are involved with clinical research studies for Type 1 Diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes, and this involvement allows our team of doctors to be at the cutting edge of technology and medicine. We participate in discovering the medicines of the future, 5 – 7 years before they become available to other doctors in the community. We also use technology, such as insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors to help customize your diabetes treatment to your life. Please contact us at 713-468-2122 and get an appointment soon.
Facts About Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes.
In type 2 diabetes, your body does not use insulin properly. This is called insulin resistance. At first, the pancreas makes extra insulin to make up for it. But, over time your pancreas isn’t able to keep up and can’t make enough insulin to keep your blood glucose levels normal. Type 2 is treated with lifestyle changes, oral medications (pills), and insulin.
When glucose builds up in the blood instead of going into cells, it can cause two problems:
Right away, your cells may be starved for energy. Over time, high blood glucose levels may hurt your eyes, kidneys, nerves or heart.
Some people with type 2 can control their blood glucose with healthy eating and being active. But, your diabetes specialist may need to also prescribe oral medications or insulin to help you meet your target blood glucose levels. Type 2 usually gets worse over time – even if you don’t need medications at first, you may need to later on.
Some groups have a higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes than others. Type 2 diabetes is more common in African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, and Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders, as well as the aged population.
Recently Diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes
It’s not easy to hear you have diabetes. But for millions of Americans, learning about their diabetes is the first step toward feeling better and living a longer, healthier life. Here’s what you need to get started on the path toward improved health and wellbeing.
Contact the Endocrine Center Houston to schedule an appointment with a diabetes specialist today.
What is Type 2 Diabetes?
When you eat, your food is broken down into a sugar called glucose.
Glucose gives your body the energy it needs to work. But to use glucose as energy, your body needs insulin.
When you have type 2 diabetes, your body does not make enough insulin or use it well.
Since your body’s cells can’t use the glucose from your food as energy, the glucose stays in your blood, where it can cause serious problems.
You Can Manage Your Diabetes
There is no cure for type 2 diabetes, but it can be managed. Balancing the food you eat with exercise and medicine (if prescribed) can keep your blood glucose in a healthy range.
Many people with diabetes live long and healthful lives.
Contact the Endocrine Center Houston to schedule an appointment with a diabetes specialist today.
Who’s on My Diabetes Care Team?
Your diabetes care team may include:
• your diabetes specialist
• nurse
• dietitian
• pharmacist
• diabetes educator
• any other health care provider working to help you care for your diabetes.
And remember, you and your family and friends are the most important members of your diabetes care team.
Contact the Endocrine Center Houston to schedule an appointment with a diabetes specialist today.
What Does “Healthy Eating” Really Mean?
• Eating a variety of foods, including vegetables, whole grains, fruits, non-fat dairy foods, healthy fats, and lean meats or meat substitutes.
• Trying not to eat too much food.
• Trying not to eat too much of one type of food.
• Spacing your meals evenly throughout the day.
• Not skipping meals.
Getting Active
Being active is another part of living healthy and managing diabetes. Any type of physical activity you do helps lower your blood glucose.
Other benefits of physical activity include:
• Having more energy
• Relieving stress
• Keeping your joints flexible
• Lowering your risk for heart disease and stroke
• Feeling great
Talk to your diabetes specialist if you have questions about which activities are right for you.
Examples of different types of physical activity include:
• Aerobic activity (walking, biking, swimming)
• Being active throughout the day (taking the stairs instead of an elevator)
• Strength training (lifting weights or using resistance bands)
• Flexibility exercises (stretching and yoga)
Medicines
Your diabetes specialist may prescribe medicine to help get and keep your blood glucose in your target range.
There are different types of diabetes medicines that work in different ways to lower blood glucose.
Your diabetes specialist may prescribe more than one to help you get to your target range.
Some people with type 2 diabetes take both pills and insulin or insulin by itself.
Checking Blood Glucose
Your diabetes specialist may want you to start checking your blood glucose at home.
If this is the case, you will need to get a small machine called a blood glucose meter. Meters are available in drug stores.
Ask your diabetes specialist or diabetes educator to help you select a meter that works best for you and is covered by your insurance.
How Does a Meter Work?
Meters work by testing a small drop of your blood for glucose.
Most people prick their fingertip to get the blood drop, but you can ask your diabetes educator or diabetes specialist about other methods.
Why is it Important?
Before you had diabetes, no matter what you ate or how active you were, your blood glucose automatically stayed within a normal range.
With diabetes, this is no longer true.
Checking your blood glucose is one way you can know how food, activity and medicine affect your blood glucose.
It can help you make sure your blood glucose isn’t going too high or too low.
Write the date, time and blood glucose number in a logbook so you can share it with your diabetes care team. You can also use our free online tool, Diabetes 24/7 to track and analyze your blood glucose numbers.
Together with the team, you can use your logbook to make decisions about food, physical activity and medicine.
Contact the Endocrine Center Houston to schedule an appointment with a diabetes specialist today.
How Often to Check
Talk with your diabetes specialist or your diabetes care team about how often and when you should check your blood glucose.
Before a meal or two hours after a meal are common times to check blood glucose.
Also talk with your diabetes specialist about what your target numbers should be.
Getting Support
Your family and friends can be a great source of support because they care about you. But they can’t help you with diabetes unless they understand it.
You can help them by telling them what you need from them. Try some of these ideas:
• Ask them to learn about how diabetes affects your body and emotions.
• Invite them to attend your appointments or diabetes classes.
• Include them in your new healthy lifestyle.
• Ask for help when you need it.
You want the people around you to know how to help, but it’s also okay to tell them if you don’t want their help.
Contact the Endocrine Center Houston to schedule an appointment with a diabetes specialist today.
Source: http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/type-2/
FAQ
What is type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes, commonly called adult-onset diabetes, is characterized by insulin resistance, which causes elevated blood sugars. To meet criteria for a diagnosis of diabetes, you must have either a fasting blood sugar greater than 125, a random blood sugar greater than 200, a hemoglobin A1C greater than 6.4, or an abnormal glucose tolerance test.
Why did I get type 2 diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is caused by a multitude of factors. Most commonly, there is a genetic predisposition to diabetes inherited from other family members. Obesity, diet, and medications can also be contributing factors.
What is insulin resistance?
Insulin resistance is the underlying problem in individuals with type 2 diabetes. It means that the insulin made by the pancreas does not work as well, which results in high blood sugars.
I was told I have pre-diabetes. What does this mean?
Pre-diabetes means that you have insulin resistance, but your blood sugars are not high enough to meet criteria for diabetes. In patients with pre-diabetes, the pancreas is able to compensate for insulin resistance by making extra insulin. Your diabetes specialist may check your insulin levels, which may be elevated.
What is a hemoglobin A1C?
Hemoglobin A1C is a blood test that gives a rough estimate of how high your blood sugars have been on average over the last 2-3 months. Your diabetes specialist will determine your goal hemoglobin A1C, which is usually around 6.5-7.0.
Why is it important to control my diabetes?
Uncontrolled diabetes is a contributing cause of many serious health problems, included heart disease, strokes, kidney disease, blindness, and nerve damage. It is a leading cause for dialysis use and for infections requiring amputations. In addition, very high blood sugars can sometimes result in serious electrolyte abnormalities requiring hospitalization.
How can I prevent complications of diabetes?
First and foremost, keeping your blood sugars controlled has been proven to help prevent complications of diabetes. It is also important to have a dilated eye exam, a foot exam, and a urine test every year. Your diabetes specialist may also recommend a cardiac stress test.
How can I control my diabetes?
The treatment plan is different for each patient, so you should discuss with your diabetes specialist. In general, a healthy diet low in fat and carbohydrate is recommended, as well as regular exercise. Your diabetes specialist will probably recommend that you attend a diabetes class, or meet with a nutritionist. You will need to check your blood sugars at home and keep a record to bring to your appointments. Your diabetes specialist will tell you how often to check your blood sugars. Many patients with type 2 diabetes are able to control their diabetes with pills, but some patients will require insulin therapy.
I have heard that if I lose weight, I can cure my diabetes. Is this true?
Sometimes. Some patients with mild diabetes that is easily controlled with few medications are able to get off of diabetes medication with weight loss, but not all patients with diabetes can expect these results. However, even modest weight loss of 5-10% of your body weight can improve your diabetes control.
How do I make an appointment with a diabetes specialist at the Endocrine Center Houston?
There are 3 easy ways to make an appointment with a diabetes specialist:
• Send us a direct message on our website at https://endocrinecenter.com/contact-us
• Send us an email at appointments@endocrinecenter.com
• Call us at 713-491-2064
We look forward to serving you.
