Diabetes continues to be a significant medical epidemic with more than 1.6 million Americans diagnosed every year.

Type 2 diabetes marks the majority of diabetes cases and is linked to obesity and a sedentary lifestyle.

A diabetic experiences a chronic condition in which the body produces very little to no insulin or can't use the available insulin efficiently, when diagnosed most are overweight or obese and may have struggled for years to control their weight and manage cardiovascular risk factors.

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic condition in which the body produces insufficient insulin. Insulin-dependent type 1 diabetes is far less common making up less than 10 percent of newly diagnosed patients

It's a complicated and serious condition, with various risk factors and several related health concerns but there are things you can do to properly engage and manage this disease.However, people of all ages with diabetes 2 or 1 face many disease management challenges.

The first Step to managing diabetes  mellitus, Gestational Diabetes and type 1 diabetes is understanding the condition.

Research for a diabetes cure is extensive, but to date no cure has been discovered.

Ethnic groups and People of all ages. Type 2 Diabetes Risk factors.

Educating people to recognize the risk factors and symptoms of diabetes can lead to the diagnosis of the disease and establish proper blood glucose control.

This chronic disease is the result of the body’s failure to respond effectively to insulin manufactured by the pancreas, or in some cases, the body does not produce sufficient amounts of insulin.

Type 2 diabetes is also referred to as adult-onset or non-insulin dependent diabetes, and is significantly more common than type 1 diabetes.

Recent studies have indicated that type 2 diabetes is rapidly inflicting people of all ages. Although, people at highest risk for developing this condition are often overweight, inactive, and over the age of 45.

Ethnic groups with twice the risks of Caucasians for developing type two diabetes are:

1. Native Americans   
2. Alaska Natives   
3. African Americans  
4. Latinos  
5. Pacific Islanders  

A family history of this disease and a person who has pre diabetes or developed gestational diabetes is also at higher risk.

Type 2 diabetes differs from type 1 diabetes in that the pancreas is still producing insulin, but at lower levels, or levels are sufficient but the cells have become resistant to the signals insulin produces.

Both factors lead to excessive sugar build up in the bloodstream and cause elevated blood sugar levels.

Weight loss is common due to the loss of calories from polyuria.

Type 2 diabetics often describe an overall feeling of tiredness and fatigue.

Blurred vision is a sign of a long duration of extreme blood sugar levels.

Elevated blood sugar can compromise the immune system, creating susceptibility to infections and an extended healing process.

A condition called Anglicans can occur in type 2 diabetics. These are patches of skin in the creases of the body that appear dark and have a velvety texture.

Diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes.

A doctor will conduct a series of routine blood tests if a patient notices an onset of diabetic symptoms.

A blood glucose level taken after a period of fasting with results above 126 mg/Ld on more than one analysis suggests a person is diabetic. A random, non-fasting blood glucose test with a result greater than 200 mg/Ld indicates diabetes.

A more in depth evaluation of long term blood glucose levels is determined with an A1C test. Diabetes can be confirmed if an A1C test is over 6.5 percent on more than two tests.

The American Diabetes Association guidelines suggest routine testing for type 2 diabetes begin in people over the age of 45, especially those with high-risk factors.