You have been to the doctor with a wide range of vague symptoms; dry mouth, increased thirst, frequent urination, pins and needles in your hands and feet, and feeling tired. The doctor has told you that you have Type 2 Diabetes. You might feel like you are in despair as you realize that you have been diagnosed with a potentially fatal condition full of life threatening complications.

Perhaps one of the most highly recognized and feared diseases, diabetes is no longer the death sentence it used to be. Diabetes is basically the inability of the pancreas to produce insulin, the chemical needed to properly process sugars in your body. Or, you may not respond properly to the insulin produced, a condition called insulin resistance. Most people with diabetes continue on to live long and productive lives as long as they follow the guidelines set out by their doctors.

There are many faces of diabetes, the two common ones are these:

The first, Type 1 diabetes, used to be called juvenile diabetes because it usually displayed itself in young adults and children. The term “juvenile diabetes” is a misnomer, since adults can be diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes and, unfortunately, many are misdiagnosed as having Type 2 when, in fact, they have Type 1.

The Type 1 diabetic is treated:

• with insulin injections, and
• strict dietary adjustments.

Type 2 diabetes is much more common and usually has its onset in adults. However, we are now seeing Type 2 show up in younger adolescents as well. This form of diabetes is often controlled by:

• oral medications,
• exercise and, again,
• strict dietary adjustments.

Many people who are diagnosed with Type 2 just rely on lifelong medications, but that is not the only way to treat it. In fact, it is a reversible condition when the proper lifestyle modifications are made.

Type 2 diabetes can be directly related to several risk factors such as being overweight. Excessive sugar and the subsequent rise in insulin are also what makes a person overweight. Weight gain is not as closely related to fat intake as it is to sugar intake. Losing even a modest amount of weight can start to slow the progression of Type 2 or even stop it before it happens.

Type 2 diabetes is not just about high blood sugar. This condition is also to do with excessive inflammatory chemicals and low levels of protective antioxidants. Circulation, cholesterol levels, and other major hormones in the body are also affected by diabetes.

None of these situations are pretty. This is why it is essential for you to eat better, exercise and include healthy supplements, and foods into your daily regimen.

Diabetes itself is not necessarily the cause of death in diabetics; it is the complications associated with diabetes. Kidney disease, kidney failure and heart disease can be linked to diabetes as can stroke, ketoacidosis and hypertension. These are usually preventable with:

• the right treatment regimen,
• frequent follow-ups with your endocrinologist or family doctor,
• exercise, and
• weight loss.

All of these complications can usually be avoided by following your treatment plans. Making lifestyle modifications is by far the best way to go when it comes to preventing, reversing and treating Type 2 diabetes.