Maturity-onset diabetes, also called type 2 diabetes mellitus,is a type of diabetes that occurs individuals develop in their thirties, forties, and fifties, rather than in young adulthood. The disease results from the body’s inability to produce sufficient amounts of insulin or is resistance to the absorption of the secreted insulin. Both conditions lead to an excess of sugar in the bloodstream called hyperglycemia. Insulin is required to assist the cells with energy conversion and this lack of nutrients causes impairment in the cells. In addition, muscles, fats, and tissues that maintain an elevated level of glucose may experience irreversible damage.
Individuals normally develop maturity-onset diabetesdue to numerous factors in addition to family history. Individuals who are overweight or obese are at increased risk because of the extra strain on the body as well as the lifestyle that prompted the weight gain it. For example, a nutrient poor diet, lack of physical activity, and high blood pressure can increase the risk of developing this disease.
Some individuals have a heightened risk of developing maturity-onset diabetesdue to their ethnicity, which cannot be controlled. Studies have shown that African-Americans, Hispanic-Americans, Japanese-Americans, and Native Americans are more prone to developing this disease thanCaucasians. The likelihood of developing maturity-onset diabetes also increases due to the aging process. Individuals will be more prone at seventy than they were at fifty, or twenty years of aging.
Maturity-Onset Diabetes – Symptoms
Symptoms of maturity-onset diabetes can be amount to a long list of ailments. The individual may attribute the issues to getting older because of the age of onset and slow onset of symptoms. People expect to experience problems with their bodily functions as they age and a person that has recurring infections might attribute it to lack of sleep. Knowing that these symptoms are part of diabetes can help manage a larger problem. Other signs of diabetes include extreme thirst, hunger, and sudden weight loss or gain.Some individuals may notice cognitive changes versus physical symptoms. They may notice personality changes, irritability, and confusion. All symptoms should be monitored, but when they impair a person’s ability to function, they should seek immediate medical attention.
Maturity-Onset Diabetes – How to Live
Diabetics should visit a dietician for a special maturity-onset diabetes diet, which may inhibit progression of the disease, maintain healthy blood sugar levels and possibly reversal the condition. A diet low in saturated fat, high in fiber, and low in sugar will stabilize blood glucose levels and ward off further complications. It is also important to eat small meals throughout the day rather than eating fewer larger meals. Alcohol and caffeine should be eliminated altogether. This diet, combined with daily cardiovascular exercise can help prevent and to control maturity-onset diabetes.
