Type 2 diabetes is a disease in which your pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or your body does not properly use the insulin it makes. As a result, glucose (sugar) builds up in your blood instead of being used for energy.

With type 2 diabetes, you need to work with your health-care provider to set a target range for your blood glucose (sugar) levels, determine how often you should measure it and then judiciously keep it within the range through the following practice:
You need to work with your doctor to determine:

The target range for your blood glucose which is your goal

How often you should measure your blood glucose level

The number of insulin injections you need per day to fulfil the goal

The timing of your insulin injections

The dose of insulin you need with each injection

Always ensure that you see a doctor before taking any medications for diabetes

SYMPTOMS FOR TYPE 2 DIABETES

General Signs and symptoms of Diabetes are:

Frequent urination

Unusual thirst

Extreme fatigue or lack of energy

Blurred vision

Frequent or recurring infections

Cuts and bruises that are slow to heal

Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet

Trouble getting or maintaining an erection

Apart from the general symptoms of Diabetes, Type 2 diabetes can cause dark patches in the folds of skin in your armpits and neck. Since type 2 diabetes often takes longer to diagnose, you may feel symptoms at the time of diagnosis, like pain or numbness in your feet.
Type 2 occurs in people over the age of 45. But younger people are increasingly being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes due to sedentary lifestyles and an increase in weight.

The good news

With type 2 diabetes, you need to work with your health-care provider to set a target range for your blood glucose (sugar) levels, determine how often you should measure it and then judiciously keep it within the range through the following practice:

Taking diabetes medications including insulin and other medications, if prescribed by your doctor

Monitoring your blood glucose (sugar) levels regularly using a home blood glucose meter*

Eating healthy meals and snacks

Enjoying regular physical activity

Aiming for a healthy body weight

Managing stress effectively

* Discuss with your health-care provider how often you should measure your blood glucose (sugar) level.

A constructive and realistic attitude towards diabetes can help manage the dreaded disease and live a long and healthy life. Forming a team where ideas can be shared with others who have diabetes or are knowledgeable about it will be helpful. Your team may include a health-care group comprising a family doctor, a nurse, a pharmacist, a dietitian, an endocrinologist, a psychologist, foot care specialist or eye care specialist as the case may be. Others include members of diabetes association of Nigeria, social worker and exercise physiologist. There are also local diabetes groups in some towns, constituted by elite diabetics where valuable practical information can be obtained. Depending on your needs and the resources available in your community, these set of people can answer your questions about how to manage diabetes and work with you to adjust your food plan, activity and medications.