Know your risk factors for Diabetes Type II in order to prevent it and learn about diabetes management if you already have been diagnosed.

1. Diabetes Type II
LORA YOAKUM, RN
Diabetes Clinical Coordinator

2. Type 2 Diabetes
• Definition:
– Type 2 diabetes is a
chronic (lifelong) disease
marked by high levels of
sugar in the blood. It
begins when the body does
not respond correctly to
insulin, a hormone
released by the pancreas.
Type 2 diabetes is the most
common form of diabetes.
• Alternative Names:
– Noninsulin-dependent
diabetes; Diabetes - type 2;
– Adult-onset diabetes

3. Risk Factors
• High blood sugar
• Obesity
• Family
history/genetics
• Inactivity
• Poor diet

4. Risk Factors (cont)
• Other risk factors include:
– Age greater than 45 years
– HDL cholesterol of less than 35 mg/dL
– Triglyceride level of greater than 250 mg/dL
– High blood pressure
– BMI (body mass index) >25
– History of gestational diabetes
– Impaired glucose tolerance test
– Race/ethnicity

5. Symptoms
• No symptoms
• Blurred vision
• Fatigue
• Frequent or slow-healing
infections
• Increased appetite
• Increased thirst
• Increased urination
• Erectile dysfunction

6. Exams and Tests
• Fasting blood sugar level
• Oral glucose tolerance test
• A1c or HbA1c
– 3-6 month average of blood sugar
• Cholesterol
• B/P

7. Prevention
• Screening
• Maintain a healthy body weight
• Talk about any problems you are having
• Exercise
• Visit your health care provider yearly and
as needed if at risk

8. Diet and Weight Control
• Choose healthy
foods
• Eat controlled
portions
• Manage weight
• Exercise

9. Regular Physical Activity
• Exercise daily
• See health care provider
before starting any exercise
program
• Monitor blood glucose levels
before and after exercise.
• Wear a diabetes
identification bracelet
• Drink extra fluids that do not
contain sugar before, during,
and after exercise.

10. Taking Care of Diabetes
• Check blood pressure
• Check hemoglobin
(A1c)
– every 6 months if your
diabetes is well controlled
– otherwise every 3 months
• Check cholesterol
and triglyceride levels
yearly
– aim for LDL levels below
100 mg/dL

11. Taking Care of Diabetes (cont)
• Complete
examination/physical
• Blood pressure check
• Glycosylated hemoglobin
(HbA1c)
• Fasting blood glucose
• Total cholesterol panel
• Nerve exam (Neurology)
• Eye exam
(Ophthalmology)

12. Foot Care
• Diabetes can damage
nerves
• Diabetes can also
damage blood
vessels.
• To prevent injury to
the feet, check and
care for your feet
every day.

13. Taking care of Diabetes (cont)
• Some people may
take more than 1
medication
• Most medications are
taken by mouth or
injection.

14. Taking care of Diabetes (cont)
• Maintain vaccinations
– Pneumonia for
patients over 60 or
with lung disease
• Get a flu shot every
year in the fall

15. Taking care of Diabetes (cont)
• See the dentist every
6 months for a dental
cleaning and exam
• Make sure your
dentist and hygienist
know that you have
diabetes

16. Taking care of Diabetes (cont)
• Get yearly kidney test
– to make sure your are
working well
• Visit your eye doctor
– preferably one who
specializes in diabetic
retinopathy
– once a year, or more
often if you have signs
or symptoms of
changes in the eyes

17. Possible Complications
• Heart Disease
– CAD (coronary artery disease)
• Stroke
• Poor circulation
– PVD (peripheral vascular disease)
• High Blood Pressure
• High Cholesterol
• Infections of the skin and urinary tract
• Erectile dysfunction

18. Possible Complications
• Long-term
complications
– Atherosclerosis
(plaque in arteries)
– Coronary artery
disease
– Diabetic nephropathy
(kidney disease)
– Diabetic neuropathy
(nerve damage)
– Diabetic retinopathy
(eye disease)

19. Prevention
For more information
on Type II Diabetes,
please visit the
American Diabetes
Association at
www.diabetes.org
or CDC at
www.cdc.gov/Diabetes