Type 2 diabetes is a chronic illness that occurs when the body doesn’t use sugar as fuel properly. It can affect different parts of the body such as the immune system, circulatory system and nervous system. It occurs when the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin and the cells don’t respond well to insulin.
Type 2 diabetes used to be called adult-onset diabetes. Scientists and doctors have changed the name because it can now appear in both children and adults. Children are becoming more obese, thus leading to more cases of type 2 in them.
Although there’s no cure for type 2 diabetes, losing weight, improving your eating habits and exercising can help keep it under control. Doing so can also help lower your blood sugar levels. If lifestyle changes aren’t enough to help you manage your blood sugar levels, your doctor may prescribe you insulin therapy medication.
Symptoms Of Type 2 Diabetes
The common symptoms of type 2 diabetes can usually appear slowly. They can last for years without being noticed. When signs of type 2 diabetes are present, they might include the following:
•Frequent urination
•Increased thirst
•Blurred vision
•Increased hunger
•Slow-healing sores
•Unintended weight loss
•Frequent infections
•Tingling or numbness in feet and hands
•Darkening of the skin in areas like the neck or armpits
•Fatigue
Causes Of Type 2 Diabetes
According to Tandem Diabetes, there are essentially two interrelated problems that result in type 2 diabetes. The cells in fat, muscles and the liver start to become resistant to insulin. This leads to low levels of sugar being made due to cells not interacting normally with the insulin. The second issue is where the pancreas is not able to make enough insulin to help manage and regulate blood sugar levels.
Many factors can bring on type 2 diabetes. This is different from the body’s immune system attacking cells responsible for producing insulin in the pancreas which causes type 1 diabetes. That issue is considered an autoimmune disorder. It is also notable that type 2 is more linked to genetics. If your parents were diabetic, you are more likely to suffer from diabetes.
Understanding what causes diabetes can help you better understand your risk factors. If weight is a problem and you are in the bracket of clinically obese, there are medical procedures like gastric sleeve in Newcastle, a surgery which can prevent type 2 diabetes from developing. Most people can have their diabetes controlled with healthy lifestyle changes and medications, such as injectable and oral agents. In time, many people using one to three medications might have to progress to insulin treatment options for regulating their condition.
Complications Due To Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes can affect many organs, such as the heart and blood vessels. It can also cause blindness and require special care for people with certain conditions. Potential diabetes complications and common comorbidities include the following:
•Blood vessel and heart disease
•Neuropathy in limbs (nerve damage)
•Kidney disease
•Eye damage
•Skin conditions
•Hearing impairment
•Slow healing
•Sleep apnea
•Dementia
It’s important to understand the side effects and complications that can result if you don’t get control of your type 2 diabetes. Although it’s possible to prevent type 2 diabetes with a healthy lifestyle, it’s also important to monitor your blood sugar levels and make changes to get started. Eating healthy meals, getting enough exercise, losing excess weight and avoiding long periods of inactivity can help you manage or prevent the condition.