Diabetes mellitus refers to a group of diseases that impact the way in which the body utilizes blood sugar (glucose). Glucose is an essential energy source for the cells that comprise muscles and tissues. It is also the primary source of fuel for the brain.
Type 2 diabetes is an impairment in the body’s regulation and utilization of glucose (sugar) as a fuel. This chronic illness causes an excessive amount of sugar to circulate in the bloodstream. Eventually, elevated blood sugar levels can result in cardiovascular, neurological, and immune system diseases.
There are basically two connected factors at play in type 2 diabetes. Your pancreas does not create enough insulin, a hormone that controls the transport of sugar into your cells, and as a result, your cells respond poorly to insulin and absorb less sugar.
Historically, type 2 diabetes was referred to as adult-onset diabetes, however both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can manifest in infancy and maturity. Type 2 diabetes is more prevalent in older adults, although the rise in childhood obesity has led to an increase in incidence among younger people.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes often develop slowly. In fact, you can be living with type 2 diabetes for years and not know it. When signs and 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
Risk factors
Factors that may increase your risk of type 2 diabetes include:
- Being overweight or obese is a main risk.
- Storing fat mainly in your abdomen — rather than your hips and thighs — indicates a greater risk. Your risk of type 2 diabetes rises if you’re a man with a waist circumference above 40 inches (101.6 centimeters) or a woman with a measurement above 35 inches (88.9 centimeters).
- The less active you are, the greater your risk. Physical activity helps control your weight, uses up glucose as energy and makes your cells more sensitive to insulin.
- The risk of type 2 diabetes increases if your parent or sibling has type 2 diabetes.
Drug used in the management of type 2 diabetes
Sitagliptin, sold under the brand name Januvia among others, is an anti-diabetic medication used to treat type 2 diabetes. It is an oral diabetes medicine that helps control blood sugar levels. It works by regulating the levels of insulin your body produces after eating.
Januvia is used together with diet, lifestyle and exercise to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Dosing information
Usual Adult Dose for Diabetes Type 2:
Usual dose: 100 mg orally once a day
Use the Januvia coupon for an extra discount on your prescription.
Januvia side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Januvia (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning in your eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling).
Stop taking Januvia and call your doctor right away if you have symptoms of pancreatitis: severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, with or without vomiting.