Type 2 diabetes is a frightening condition. It affects over 150 million people worldwide, and this figure is expected to grow. It could progress into a number of other diseases. Worst of all, there is as yet no known medical cure. Fortunately, this is a condition that can be managed by medication like Actos.

Actos is an oral medication that is used in the treatment of type 2 or non-insulin-dependent diabetes. It is sometimes used in combination with insulin and other medications. While it is significantly less serious than type 1 or insulin-dependent diabetes, which is an autoimmune disease, it may still progress to become life-threatening.

Type 2 diabetes is associated with insulin resistance, some insulin deficiency and hyperglycemia - a condition wherein too much glucose (commonly known as blood sugar) is circulating in one's body. The body naturally processes glucose when it breaks down food to use for energy. Insulin is a natural hormone that enables glucose to be properly absorbed and managed by the body. A healthy body generates enough insulin so that glucose levels are kept stable.

But if a body suffers from a lack of insulin, hyperglycemia occurs. If left untreated, this condition progresses into type 2 diabetes. Symptoms of type 2 diabetes include frequent hunger or thirst, a need to urinate frequently, weight loss, tingling or numbness in one's hands, constant fatigue, excessively dry skin, and slow-healing sores. These symptoms are easy to overlook, therefore it may be years before it is discovered that a person has type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes may not be curable, but it is preventable. Studies have shown that some people are more at risk of contracting this condition, than others. For example, if you have relatives who suffer from this condition, you may be at risk of getting it as well. High blood pressure or cholesterol is another genetic condition that may progress into diabetes.

But even if you do not have a family history of diabetes, you may still get it through lifestyle factors. Being overweight is the most common risk factor for getting type 2 diabetes. Losing weight through exercise and healthy eating is the number one precaution for people who are at risk. Smoking is another lifestyle options that affects how likely you are to get this disease. Quitting smoking while one is young and healthy may reduce one's risk factors dramatically.

People who are over 40 are more at risk of getting diabetes than younger people. It has also been discovered that people from certain ethnic groups - namely Hispanics, Latinos, African Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans, and Pacific Islanders - are more likely to get it than others. Women may develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy, or else they may bear babies who weigh more than 9 pounds - both factors would increase their risk of getting type 2 diabetes later in life.

Actos works by improving the body's reaction to insulin, instead of giving the body an extra shot of insulin. It also controls the way the liver produces unneeded sugar. While it is effective for most people of adult age who suffer from type 2 diabetes, it is universally recognized that it is not a substitute for following a strict, healthy diet and exercise plan.