I’ve been bringing you a number of health related stories because there are more Americans struggling with their weight and not getting enough exercise, according to the top medical experts at Mayo Clinic.

I recently brought a report on the dangers of a high sugar and fat diet, but I didn’t specifically address one of the most serious health conditions which is Type 2 diabetes.

It’s a condition that happens because of a problem in the way the body regulates and uses sugar as a fuel.
That sugar also is called glucose. This long-term condition results in too much sugar circulating in the blood. Eventually, high blood sugar levels can lead to disorders of the circulatory, nervous and immune systems.

In type 2 diabetes, there are primarily two problems. The pancreas does not produce enough insulin — a hormone that regulates the movement of sugar into the cells. And cells respond poorly to insulin and take in less sugar.
Type 2 diabetes used to be known as adult-onset diabetes, but both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can begin during childhood and adulthood.
Type 2 is more common in older adults. But the increase in the number of children with obesity has led to more cases of type 2 diabetes in younger people.
There’s no cure for type 2 diabetes. Losing weight, eating well and exercising can help manage the disease. If diet and exercise aren’t enough to control blood sugar, diabetes medications or insulin therapy may be recommended.

Be aware of the symptoms of type 2 diabetes because they often develop slowly.
In fact, you can be living with type 2 diabetes for years and not know it. When symptoms are present, they may include:
• Increased thirst.
• Frequent urination.
• Increased hunger.
• Unintended weight loss.
• Fatigue.
• Blurred vision.
• Slow-healing sores.
• Frequent infections.
• Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet.
• Areas of darkened skin, usually in the armpits and neck.