An Overview of Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetes is a disease in which blood glucose levels are too high. Doctors refer to it as diabetes mellitus. This disease mainly happens if the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or the body’s cells do not respond properly to the insulin produced. An estimated 382 million people suffer from this deadly disease worldwide. Out of the previously mentioned figures, about 1.5 million deaths occur worldwide due to diabetes.

There are two types of diabetes: Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults, which accounts for only 5% of people with diabetes. In this type of diabetes, the body cannot produce enough insulin. Insulin is a hormone needed to convert sugar, starches, and other food into energy needed for daily life. If untreated, this type may also cause major problems and affect blood vessels, eyes, and kidneys.

What is type 2 diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form and is affecting 90% to 95% of 26 million Americans. This type of diabetes is very dangerous and often turns fatal if not treated properly. It is also a fact that about one out of three people with type 2 diabetes do not know that they have it. Moreover, obesity and lack of physical activity are the two most common causes of this form of diabetes.

People with type 2 diabetes produce insulin, but their bodies do not utilize it properly. This condition leads to insulin resistance, which means there isn’t enough insulin or it is not used as it should be. So this leads to a rise in glucose levels in the blood instead of going into cells and causes the body’s cells to function improperly. Increased glucose or blood sugar levels raise the risk of heart disease, loss of vision, nerve and organ damage, and other serious conditions.

What are the symptoms and causes of type 2 diabetes?

Diabetes is a very serious problem, and it is a fact that the person with diabetes has to live with it because it can’t be cured. People with type 2 diabetes don’t know initially that he has diabetes and when signs of type 2 diabetes appear. The first symptom is increased thirst, accompanied by additional problems like frequent urination, dry mouth, increased appetite, and unusual weight loss. Moreover, people may also suffer additional symptoms like headaches, blurred vision, and fatigue due to the abnormality in their sugar levels. Other symptoms of type 2 diabetes include:

• Slow-healing of cuts or sores
• Itching, especially around the vaginal or groin area
• Recent weight gain
• Numbness and tingling of the hands and feet
• Decreased vision
• Frequent yeast infections
• Sexual dysfunction, such as erectile dysfunction in men

Various factors account for diabetes; these include:

1. Age – Age here plays an important role in developing type 2 diabetes because as people age, they tend to gain weight and exercise less.
2. Genetics – If you already have a family history of diabetes, then you are very much at risk of developing diabetes. Moreover, if you have a close relative, including a brother or sister, who has the condition, then you are prone to this disease.
3. Weight – People are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes if they are overweight or obese with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more. Overweight people are also at risk of developing several other serious conditions like coronary heart disease, strokes, and some types of cancer.
4. Ethnicity – People of Chinese, South Asian, African-Caribbean, and black African ethnicity are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes condition is up to six times more common in South Asian communities than in the general UK population.

Tricks to control type 2 diabetes:

It is a fact that there’s no cure for diabetes, so lifestyle changes aim to keep your blood glucose levels as normal as possible and to reverse diabetes symptoms. When treating type 2 diabetes, the first thing that hits the mind is watching diet, controlling weight, and physical activities. These are mentioned below:

• Healthy eating – Managing your diet to control sugar levels is crucial in first-line diabetes 2 treatment. After diagnosing you, your doctor or general physician will provide details or a written list of what you should eat to level your blood glucose. Foods that you should eat include fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. You can have sugar-free chocolates and sweets if you crave sugary products such as sweets or chocolates.

• Lose weight and exercise regularly – Lose weight if you are overweight because losing weight will help reduce your blood glucose levels. Moreover, to reduce your blood sugar levels, you should do a minimum of 30 minutes of brisk walking. Cycling, swimming, and jogging are ideal for reducing blood glucose levels and also help in reducing the risk of having a heart attack or stroke. Always remember to check your blood sugar levels before any activity. You may need to have a snack before exercising to help prevent low blood sugar if you take diabetes medications that lower your blood sugar.

Medications for type 2 diabetes:

Medication is very important in managing the blood sugar levels. People should remember that proper medications not only solve the sugar problem alone. You must watch your diet and participate in physical activities to make it effective. The decision about which medications must be taken depends on various factors, including blood sugar levels and other health problems. Your doctor may recommend you the following medications such as:

1. Metformin – This medicine is the first preference of doctors or other physicians for people with type 2 diabetes. Metformin reduces the amount of glucose the liver releases into the bloodstream. This medicine works by improving the sensitivity of body tissues to insulin. Some of the possible side effects of Metformin are nausea and diarrhea.
2. Sulfonylureas – This medication is very effective and helps your body secrete more insulin. Some medications in this class include Glyburide, Glipizide, and Glimepiride. Problems of low blood sugar levels and weight gain are some of the possible side effects of taking Sulfonylureas.
3. Meglitinides—These work the same as Sulfonylureas by encouraging the body to secrete more insulin. However, meglitinides work faster and don’t stay active in the body for as long. Medications like Repaglinide and Nateglinide fall into this category. These are effective, but they also risk causing low blood sugar and possible weight gain.
4. Insulin therapy – Severe conditions of type 2 diabetes need insulin therapy. You all know that in the past, insulin therapy was regarded as a last resort, but today, it’s often prescribed sooner. People can take insulin by mouth or injection, but the most preferable option is injecting it. To inject insulin into the body, you need a needle, a syringe, or an insulin pen, a device that looks similar to an ink pen, except the cartridge is filled with insulin. These help the type 2 diabetes patients in lowering their sugar levels.

Always discuss the pros and cons of different drugs with your doctor. After considering many factors and health conditions, he will suggest what option suits you the best. Managing diabetes is possible with medication and lifestyle changes.