So many new cases of type 2 diabetes are being reported that it is now the most common form of diabetes there is. But while receiving this diagnosis can lead to serious health risks if it is not kept under control, it doesn't have to be debilitating news.
When an individual has type 2 diabetes, it means that either their body is not producing enough insulin for it's needs or the insulin that is being produced is not being processed correctly. In the case of the latter, it is the digestive system that is at fault for failing to correctly process the insulin. This means that when food is being eaten, the glucose that is formed builds up in the blood instead of being used in the cells as it is intended.
When you are comparing type 2 diabetics to individuals who do not have the disease, the type 2 diabetics will naturally have a shorter life span. But how much shorter? That depends on a number of factors, some of which can be easily controlled.
Some of the most important factors have to do with the age of the individual at the time that they are diagnosed. If a person is diagnosed before age 40, their life expectancy can drop by up to ten years as compared to those of the same age without the disease.
Another important consideration has to do with how well the condition is being managed. If an individual keeps their disease under control, they can expect a much better prognosis than if they do nothing. Often, the mortality rate is greatly affected by complications that arise as a result of the diabetes.
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