Diabetes Type 2

Oct 19, 2024 | Blog

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Type 2 diabetes is caused by high levels of blood sugar (glucose) as a chronic disease in which there is failure of the body to either secrete enough insulin or becomes resistant to its actions. The most common type of diabetes, or about 90 – 95 percent of cases diagnosed, is of this form. The basic cause of type 2 diabetes on the other hand includes lifestyle related factors such as obesity, unhealthy diet, and sedentary lifestyle, while genetics factors, also are big contributors. This is contrary to type 1 diabetes which occurs when the body is unable to synthesize insulin.

Causes of Type 2 Diabetes: T type 2 is a progression of the disease and is often caused by a combination of factors.

Insulin Resistance:

Insulin resistance is present in type 2 diabetes which means the cell’s do not respond to the hormone in this case as well as they should. Glucose instead of being absorbed by the cells to utilized for energy becomes stored in the blood leading to increased blood glucose levels

Decreased Insulin Secretory Capacity:

Blood glucose levels may further increase due to the pancreas’s goal failure to produce sufficient insulin which can overcome body in normal circumstances resistance.

Factors related to genetics:

A person with type 2 diabetes can risk developing the disease if their blood relatives have the condition. Some populations, including Asian Americans, Native Americans, African Americans, and Hispanics, are known to be at greater risk for certain diseases.

Lifestyle Elements:

Obesity: First and foremost, an excess of body fat, especially that found in the abdominal region, is the most significant risk factor in the development of insulin resistance.

Sedentary Lifestyle: Physical inactivity decreases insulin sensitivity as well as contributes to the development of overweight and obesity.

Poor Diet: A diet that is high in sugar, unhealthy types of fats, and refined carbohydrates, can increase a person’s chances of developing type 2 diabetes.

Additional Risk Elements:

Age: Today, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes is shifting to younger age groups due to rising obesity levels, but at the same time, the risk increases with age, especially over the age of 45.

Basal women who develop an insulin response to gestation are at risk of further progression to type 2 diabetes.

If a woman suffers from polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes are more likely to occur.

Type 2 Diabetes Symptoms:

The most common symptoms of Type 2 diabetes are the ones that appear over time and sometimes go unnoticed. Common signs and symptoms include:

Thirsty and dry mouth

Frequent urination

Loss of weight that cannot be explained

Feeling tired or sleepy

Seeing things blurry

Difficulty with healing of wounds, or frequent occurrence of infection

Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet (these are signs of nerve damage)

Type 2 Diabetes Diagnosis:

Blood tests that require you to monitor blood sugar levels are used to identify type 2 diabetes:

Blood Sugar Test During Fasting:

This test looks at blood sugar amounts after hours of fasting.  A person becomes diabetic if he/she has two different tests with a minimum of 126 mg/dL of fasting blood sugar.

Glycated hemoglobin, or A1C, test:

Blood samples taken over the previous two to three months can also tell you this information. Diabetes is being diagnosed if A1c number is six point five percent (6.5%) or more

The OGTT, or oral glucose tolerance test:

This test is done by taking blood samples before and after a sugary drink. A reading of two hundred mg/dL or more two hours after taking the solution indicates diabetes.

Blood Sugar Test at Random:

In the case of a random blood sugar test, diabetes is diagnosed if blood glucose levels are higher than 200 mg/dL and other clinical features are present.

Type 2 Diabetes Management and Treatment: This type of diabetes requires blood sugar level control in order to avoid complications. Management is achieved through balanced mixes of medication, lifestyle changes, and regular check-ups.

Changes in Lifestyle:

Diet: It is possible to control blood sugar levels by keeping a healthy diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein sources. Refined carbohydrates, sugary beverages, and processed foods must be kept to a minimum.

Physical Activity: Regular physical activity reduces blood glucose levels and enhances the response capacity of the body to insulin. Adults should engage in moderate activity for 150 minutes a week such as brisk walking or cycling.

Weight Loss: Studies show that relatively small amounts of weight loss, in the range of 5-10 % of body weight, considerably improve the control of blood sugar and lessens the requirement for medicines.

Stress management: A number of studies support the fact that increased physical activity, meditation or relaxation techniques can help prevent spikes in blood sugar levels due to stress.

Drugs:

Metformin: This medication, which is usually prescribed as the first option in the case of type 2 diabetes, contributes to reducing the glucose synthesis in the liver and enhances insulin sensitivity of the body.

Sulfonylureas: These drugs work by raising the quantity of insulin which is synthesized by the pancreas.

SGLT-2 Inhibitors: These drugs facilitate the removal of additional glucose from the body through urine by the kidneys.

GLP-1 Receptor Agonists: These include liraglutide and semaglutide and assist in the control of blood sugar and may support in the loss of weight.

DPP-4 Inhibitors: These drugs help in increasing the levels of insulin and inhibiting the liver from producing glucose.

Insulin Therapy: In more advanced stages of type 2 diabetes, there may be a need for insulin injections to help control blood sugar levels.

Monitoring Blood Sugar:

Monitoring blood sugar levels, loaded with knowledge on how nutrition, exercises, and medication interact with blood sugar is essential in people with diabetes. Such monitoring can be performed with continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) or prick tests.

Diabetes Type 2 Complications:

Untreated, or poorly managed type 2 diabetes may lead to a number of serious complications including but not limited to the following:

Cardiovascular Disease: The chances of having high blood pressure, heart diseases and stroke gets significantly high with diabetes.

Nerve Damage (Neuropathy): Too much blood sugar can affect the nerves, causing numbness, selective tingling, or extreme pain, especially in limbs.

Nephropathy, or kidney damage: Diabetes can lead to damage to the kidney filters which may result in renal failure or renal illness.

Eye Damage (Retinopathy): Increased chances of blindness are caused due to diabetes because it causes damage to the blood vessels in the retina.

Foot Issues: Peripheral neuropathy and failing circulation can result in severe infections and ulcers that can result in the loss of a foot or even an amputation.

Skin Conditions: Such individuals are also bound to have skin problems as a result of not managing their diabetes as well as diabetes also has a bearing to bacterial and fungal disease.

Targeted Strategies to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes: The following are preventive strategies for individuals who are at risk of type 2 diabetes (And those with prediabetes or outstanding family history).

Healthy Eating: Avoid foods with high amounts of sugar, artificial trans fats, and processed carbs are the foods too avoid.

Frequent Exercise: Weight management can be aided by exercise since it improves insulin sensitivity.

Weight Loss: Effective loss of weight can significantly reduce type 2 diabetes in overweight communities.

Frequent checks: Blood sugar level monitoring and check scheduling can avert the disease from progressing and diabaetes from even developing.

There is hope in the future, for type 2 diabetes can be controlled with the right combination of medications, changes in lifestyle, and regular checks. Such management should ideally be initiated at such a stage that quality of life can be improved without any risks of complications. For the majority of people with type 2 diabetes, being healthy is definitely possible as long as a healthy diet and weight loss are maintained along with some physical activities.

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