Type 2 Diabetes

What is Type 2 Diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic metabolic condition characterized by elevated blood sugar levels due to insulin resistance and impaired insulin production. Unlike Type 1 diabetes, which is an autoimmune condition, Type 2 diabetes is largely associated with lifestyle factors, though genetics also play a significant role.

The disease develops gradually and is often linked to risk factors such as obesity, physical inactivity, poor dietary habits, and age. Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, works in regulating blood glucose. In Type 2 diabetes, the body’s cells become less responsive to insulin, leading to an accumulation of glucose in the bloodstream.

Type 2 diabetes is a global health concern, affecting millions of people and contributing to serious complications such as heart disease, kidney damage, nerve issues, and vision loss if left unmanaged. Early detection, lifestyle modifications, and medical intervention are crucial in managing the disease and preventing complications.

How common is Type 2 diabetes?

Diabetes type 2 is extremely prevalent. According to research, roughly 6.3% of people worldwide suffer from T2D. T2D mainly affects adults over 45, while it can affect anybody under 45, including toddlers.

What are the symptoms of Type 2 diabetes?

They may consist of:

• Increased thirst (polydipsia).
• Peeing more frequently.
• Feeling hungrier than usual.
• Fatigue.
• Slow healing of cuts or sores.
• Your hands or feet may feel tingly or numb.
• Blurred vision.
• Dry skin.
• Unexplained weight loss.
• People who were assigned female at birth (AFAB) frequently get vaginal yeast infections and/or urinary tract infections (UTIs).

It’s critical to consult your healthcare practitioner if you have these symptoms. T2D can be diagnosed with basic blood tests.

What causes Type 2 diabetes?

Your pancreas produces the hormone insulin, which is vital for life and blood sugar regulation.

If your body isn’t reacting to insulin correctly (hyperinsulinemia), your pancreas must produce more insulin to counteract rising blood glucose levels. Type 2 diabetes arises when your cells become too resistant to insulin and your pancreas is unable to produce enough insulin to overcome this resistance.

Insulin resistance has some causes, such as:

• Genetics.
• Excessive body fat, particularly visceral fat, is found around your organs and in your abdomen.
• Physical inactivity.
• Certain medications, like long-term corticosteroid use.
• Hormonal disorders, like hypothyroidism and Cushing syndrome.
• Prolonged stress and poor sleep quality.

Is Type 2 diabetes genetic?

Although the exact origin of T2D is unknown, scientists are certain that heredity is a major contributing factor.

At least 150 DNA changes have been linked by researchers to the likelihood of getting type 2 diabetes; some of these variations raise your risk, while others lower it. Insulin production and resistance may be directly impacted by some of these differences. Others may raise your risk of type 2 diabetes by making you more likely to be overweight or obese.

Together with lifestyle and health variables, these genetic variants probably affect your total risk of type 2 diabetes.

Risk factors of type 2 diabetes:

• Have a biological parent or sibling with a history of Type 2 diabetes.
• Are older than 45.
• Possess a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or higher, indicating obesity.
• Are fewer than three times a week physically active.
• Had gestational diabetes while pregnant.
• Have high blood pressure and/or high cholesterol.
• Have prediabetes.
• Have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
• If you’re at risk for type 2 diabetes, it’s crucial to see your primary care physician on a frequent basis because the symptoms usually appear gradually. In this manner, they can do screenings to monitor your blood sugar levels, such as a basic metabolic panel (BMP). Early detection of T2D is preferable to late detection.

What are the complications of Type 2 diabetes?

Since your blood affects almost every part of your body, uncontrolled Type 2 diabetes that causes persistently elevated blood sugar over an extended period of time can harm multiple body parts.

Type 2 diabetes may cause the following adverse effects:

Cardiovascular disease, including:

• Coronary artery disease (CAD).
• Peripheral artery disease (PAD).
• Cerebrovascular disease.
• Heart attack.
• Stroke.

Eye conditions, including:

• Diabetes-related retinopathy.
• Diabetes-related macular edema.
• Cataracts.
• Glaucoma.
• Blindness.

Additional complications include:

• Diabetes-related nephropathy (kidney disease).
• Diabetes-related neuropathy (nerve damage).
• skin disorders, including fungal and bacterial infections and dry skin.
• Foot issues, such as infections and ulcers, can result in gangrene and necessitate amputation.
• Gum disease and other oral health problems.
• Hearing loss.
• Digestive problems, including gastroparesis.
• Sexual dysfunction.

Short-term complications of T2D:

One potentially fatal consequence of Type 2 diabetes is the hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS). Long-term elevated blood sugar levels cause HHS, which causes extreme dehydration and disorientation.

HHS symptoms are mostly visible slowly over the course of days or weeks. Among the symptoms are:

• Extremely elevated blood sugar (over 600 mg/dL).
• Mental alterations include delirium, confusion, or hallucinations.
• Loss of consciousness.
• Dry mouth and extreme thirst.
• Frequent urination.
• Blurred vision or loss of vision.
• One side of your body may be more affected than the other by weakness or paralysis.

How is Type 2 diabetes diagnosed?

The following blood tests can help your doctor diagnose Type 2 diabetes:

A laboratory test called the fasting plasma glucose test measures your blood sugar levels. This test is usually administered in the morning following an eight-hour fast, during which you should only consume water.

Random plasma glucose test: This lab test analyzes blood sugar and can be performed at any time without fasting. If your test is 200 mg/dL or more, you are diagnosed with diabetes.

A1C test: Your average blood sugar levels over the previous two to three months are measured by this lab test.

To determine whether you have Type 1 Diabetes rather than Type 2 Diabetes, your doctor may occasionally prescribe an autoantibody blood test.

Management and Treatment:

What is the treatment for Type 2 diabetes?

With medical advice and assistance from your healthcare team, you primarily manage type 2 diabetes on your own, unlike many other illnesses. This might involve you:

• Primary care physician (PCP) or endocrinologist.
• Registered dietitian.
• Certified diabetes care and education specialist (CDCES).
• Ophthalmologist (eye doctor).
• Dentist.
• Family members and other significant individuals in your life should also be on your team. Managing type 2 diabetes can be difficult since it requires daily decision-making. However, every effort you do to enhance your health is worthwhile.

The following are the main components of managing type 2 diabetes:

Blood sugar monitoring.
Medication.

Exercise for Type 2 diabetes:

Everyone should engage in regular exercise. Your health benefits from exercise because it

temporarily and permanently reduces your blood sugar levels without needing medication.
burns calories and could aid in losing weight.
enhances blood pressure and blood flow.
provides you with extra energy and elevates your mood.
aids in the management of stress.
You might need to take extra precautions before, during, and after physical activity, particularly if you take insulin. The ultimate goal is to perform moderate-intensity exercise at least 150 minutes a week.

Type 2 diabetes diet:

Request a meal plan recommendation from your registered dietician or healthcare professional. Maintaining your blood sugar levels within the range that your healthcare provider recommends depends on what you eat, how much you consume, and when you eat.

Eating a range of nutrient-dense meals from every food category in the amounts recommended by your meal plan is essential for people with Type 2 diabetes. In general, these foods can help maintain healthy blood sugar levels:

Vegetables that aren’t starchy, such as cucumbers, salad greens, broccoli, and green beans.
Healthy fats include those found in nuts, avocados, olive oil, and natural peanut butter.
Whole-wheat bread, sweet potatoes, berries, and beans are examples of complex carbs.

Blood sugar monitoring:

You need to keep an eye on your blood sugar levels to assess how well your current treatment strategy is working. You can use the findings of blood sugar monitoring to inform your insulin dosage, meal choices, and physical activity levels.

Your blood sugar can be impacted by several factors. Some of these effects are very hard or impossible to foresee, but with time and experience, you can learn to forecast some of them.

If you have diabetes, you can check your blood sugar levels at home in two major ways:

With a continuous glucose monitor (CGM).
For several reasons, you may decide to use one or both approaches, including:

Your access to the technology may differ depending on your medical insurance coverage and cost.
The drugs you are now taking.
General well-being.

Type 2 diabetes medications:

To control Type 2 diabetes, your doctor could advise medication in addition to lifestyle modifications. These consist of:

Oral diabetes medications: These are oral drugs used to help control blood sugar levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes who are still able to manufacture some insulin. Different kinds exist. Metformin is the most often prescribed. To get the best blood glucose control, your doctor might prescribe many oral diabetic medications at once.

GLP-1 and dual GLP-1/GIP agonists: These injectable drugs primarily assist individuals with type 2 diabetes in controlling their blood sugar levels. Obesity can also be treated with some GLP-1 agonists.

Insulin: Blood sugar levels are immediately lowered with synthetic insulin. Insulin comes in different forms, such as short-acting and long-acting varieties. You can use an insulin pump, inhaled insulin, or syringes or pens to inject it.

Other medications: To treat coexisting disorders like high blood pressure and excessive cholesterol, you can take additional drugs.

Can Type 2 diabetes be reversed?

Since type 2 diabetes is a chronic (long-term) condition, you will require lifelong treatment.T2D has no known cure. You may, however, control it by keeping your blood sugar levels within a safe range with medication, lifestyle modifications, and blood sugar monitoring. Your blood sugar levels will rise again if you fail to control it or manage it too poorly.

Can I prevent Type 2 diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes can be prevented or its onset can be postponed with the following strategies:

Maintaining a weight that’s healthy for you.
Eating nutritious food.
Not smoking.
Unfortunately, some people’s genetic risk factors are so powerful that they cannot be prevented by changing their lifestyle alone.

Summary:

Your age at diagnosis.
How often and successfully can you keep your blood sugar levels in check?
if you suffer from any additional illnesses, such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol.
Your availability of medical care, diabetes treatment supplies and drugs, wholesome food, and family support.
Numerous medical disorders can result from untreated or poorly managed type 2 diabetes.

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