Over the decades Dr. Robert Aden has served as a medical care instructor, attending physician, and private practitioner focused on internal medicine and endocrinology. He has particular expertise in diabetes-related practice and research, and has completed a fellowship in endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism at New York University Medical Center.

There are two prevalent types of diabetes, type 1, and type 2, with the former being largely hereditary and the latter related to long term lifestyle factors. Type 2 diabetes accounts for 85 percent to 95 percent of diabetes cases, and its prevalence is increasing. This is the result of an increasing number of people around the world maintaining unhealthy diets and sedentary work habits.

Individuals at high risk for diabetes often have multiple risk factors including irregular exercise patterns, high levels of blood sugar, and overweight and obesity issues. Warning signals that recommend a clinical test for diabetes include sensations of numbness, burning, and tingling at the extremities; abnormal thirstiness; frequent urination; and a frequent sense of fatigue. The likelihood of being diagnosed with diabetes is higher among individuals of ethnicities such as Native American, African-American, Asian; and among those with close relatives who have developed the condition.

Type 2 diabetes is often a result of insulin resistance, whereby the body’s liver, fat, and muscle cells do not respond normally to insulin. This effectively prevents the body from breaking down its supply of glucose, or blood sugar. As a result, glucose does not find its way to the cells that normally store sugar as a form of energy. Over time, a hyperglycemic state arises, in which the pancreas cannot keep up with the body’s demand for insulin.

Treatment for type 2 diabetes primarily involves an increase in exercise levels and a switch to a low-carbohydrate diet. Blood glucose monitoring is another important aspect of diabetes management, and should be discussed thoroughly with a qualified physician. While type 2 diabetes is a long term condition, it can be managed effectively through a combination of lifestyle changes, prescription drugs, and glucose monitoring equipment.

Diabetes onset is gradual and it’s highly recommended that those at risk of diabetes proactively work toward increasing exercise and reducing intake of unhealthy foods. For those already diagnosed with diabetes, lifestyle modification and appropriate medication will help prevent the complications of the disease.