What is Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a medical condition in which the body is unable to produce enough insulin or get insulin-resistant. When cells in your muscles, fat, and liver don’t respond well to insulin and are unable to readily absorb glucose from your blood, insulin resistance occurs. Your pancreas begins producing more insulin as a result, and blood sugar levels increase. Your nerves and blood vessels can heavily suffer damage from elevated blood sugar levels, increasing the risk of kidney disease, heart disease, and other serious health issues.
How can Type 2 Diabetes Be Managed?
People suffering from type 2 diabetes see changes in their body composition and overall health. As a result the risk of serious health issues such as cardiovascular diseases, sarcopenia, and osteoporosis rises. To be on the healthier side, you have to start a healthy lifestyle and seek medical care by enrolling in a diabetes management program. Monitor your blood sugar levels, control your blood pressure, manage your cholesterol, consume healthy foods, engage in physical activities, take your medications on time, stay active, exercise regularly, and take care of your mental health as well.
Some Additional Tips
- Avoid smoking and heavy drinking
- Take care of your heart
- Maintain proper hygiene
- Moisturise your skin well
- Check your blood sugar levels regularly
- Run routine tests for your kidney and eyes
- Keep a positive outlook for life
- Be happy
Factors that Cause Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is the most prevalent type of diabetes and most often affects middle-aged or old people. Though the exact cause is still unknown, a number of genetic and lifestyle factors play an important role in development of the disease.
- Growing sedentary lifestyle– Type 2 diabetes is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. One of the most frequent causes of the condition in people is a sedentary lifestyle. Long periods of sitting can alter the body’s metabolism and increase insulin resistance, which can result in Type 2 diabetes.
- Poor food habits– Intake of food high in starch, sugar, carbohydrates, fats, calories, and cholesterol can raise blood sugar levels giving stage to diabetes. The inclination towards fast foods and processed foods is also a major reason diabetes is so common.
- Obesity- Obesity causes abnormalities in fat distribution, fat mass increment, and decrease in bone mineral density which leads to diabetes. The more obese you are, the higher are the chances you’ll develop insulin resistance, hence leading to type 2 diabetes.
- Lack of Exercise- When you don’t exercise well, your blood sugar levels hike and insulin sensitivity decreases. When your muscle cells aren’t able to use the present insulin to take up glucose, as a result you’ll develop diabetes.
- High Blood Pressure- When your blood pressure is higher than 140/80mmHg, it is usually linked to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes.
- Family History- Although it is not mandatory, having parents with type 2 diabetes increases your risk of developing the disease to a greater extent.
- Age- Age stands out as a dominant factor for type 2 diabetes because when you grow old, your body’s capacity to fight insulin resistance decreases.
Additional Factors that Causes Type 2 Diabetes in Women:
- PCOS- Women suffering from PCOS generally develop insulin resistance which further leads to type 2 diabetes.
- Gestational diabetes- Those women who developed gestational diabetes during their pregnancy are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes.
Early Signs and Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes
Because type 2 diabetes symptoms frequently appear gradually and go unnoticed, some people may not be aware that they have the condition until they run any routine blood tests. If you notice any of these symptoms, you should consult your healthcare provider at the earliest.
- Fatigue
- Slow healing of wounds
- Yeast infection
- Unexplained weight loss
- Frequent urination
- Distorted/blurred vision
- Dry mouth
- Heightened thirst
Although type 2 diabetes is a very common condition, managing it can be difficult. Diabetes complications could eventually become incapacitating or even fatal so it is crucial to take necessary steps towards a healthy life. It can get stressful at times but you have to stay patient. You can manage this complex condition by sticking to the necessary lifestyle changes and medications prescribed by your doctor.
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