Type 2 Diabetes- Are you at risk?
Diabetes and Obesity are rising at an alarming stage. We need to monitor our eating and sleeping patterns to prevent it. Diabetes is a chronic ailment that is progressive. The inability of the body to manage the blood sugar levels is termed diabetes. Type 2 is directly linked to insulin resistance and accounts for 90% of diabetic cases.
When we consume sugar in any form, the body converts it into energy with the help of insulin released from the pancreas. The incapacity to produce enough insulin or the powerlessness of the produced insulin is termed insulin resistance.
It all starts with the food we eat. Following a meal, when the digestive system breaks down the sugar into glucose-the blood glucose level rises. The beta cells of the pancreas are stimulated to produce insulin. The produced hormone encourages glucose uptake by the cells. Consequently, insulin is a key for the entrance of glucose in the cell which can either be used immediately or can be stored to use up later.
Let’s discuss the causes of type 2 diabetes.
Causes of type 2 diabetes
Type 2 is the most common form and is seen lately in all age groups. The main root cause is insulin resistance which is because by the following reasons
- Genes: Research shows that a specific DNA is involved in how the body uses insulin
- Obesity: Increased weight leads to intolerance of insulin
- Physical inactivity: Reduced physical activity often leads to higher blood sugar levels in the body
- Unhealthy diet: A diet which consists only of unhealthy items.
- IGT-Impaired glucose tolerance
- Prediabetes: Condition where the blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be considered diabetic.
- Family history: The chances increase if any parent or sibling is diabetic.
- Gestational diabetes: Women who have diabetes during pregnancy have a high risk of developing it later too. Moreover, if the baby born was more than 9kg-the risk of having the disease increases.
- Stress: Can’t emphasize enough how stress has played a vital role in this disease. Stress and depression often lead to diabetes.
- Lipids: Low HDL cholesterol
- Polycystic ovaries syndrome: Irregular periods often lead to obesity and excessive hair growth which causes diabetes.
- High blood pressure
- Heart or blood vessel disease
All of the above contribute to insulin resistance. The causes of type 2 diabetes should be monitored closely, one should always be alert and check the blood glucose levels routinely to rule out the risks.
Symptoms of type 2 diabetes
The symptoms of type 2 are so mild that the majority of the patients with diabetes go unnoticed with them. Eventually, the blood sugar levels keep increasing leading to major health issues.
- Frequent urination
- Yeast infections especially around the genitals
- Rapid weight gain or weight loss
- Tingling or numbing of the hands and feet
- Tiredness
- Prolonged skin infections
- Blurred vision
- Sleep apnea
- The darkening of the skin around the neck and armpits is also one alarming symptom. The darkened skin signifies the body is getting insulin resistant.
These symptoms of type 2 diabetes need to be monitored more often because they lead to prediabetes- if not tracked timely it turns into diabetes 2. Consequently, when the blood sugar levels are higher for a long period, it leads to further complications such as:
- Heart disease and blood vessel damage
- Eye damage
- Nerve damage
- Kidney disease
- Slow healing of wounds
- Sleeping disorders.
Hence timely precautionary measures are required to control them. To check whether you are at risk, examine your blood sugar levels frequently.
Treatment of diabetes type 2:
Treatment of type 2 diabetes involves a combination of lifestyle changes with medication
Healthy eating: once your tests prove that you are diabetic it’s essential to develop healthy eating habits. Moreover, the diet should be low in sugar i.e. Decreased amount of carbohydrates and fats, hence proteins and fiber should be the main part.
Active Lifestyle is mandatory after the onset of diabetes. Yoga, walking, cycling, or any other form should be incorporated into your daily routine or at least five times a week.
Reducing some weight-shedding off a few pounds can delay the onset of diabetes 2 if you are already pre-diabetic.
Oral antidiabetics' wide variety of oral drugs are used to manage type 2 diabetes, initially, any single agent can be used to manage blood sugar levels. However, as the disease progresses a combination of drugs is used Some examples of oral drugs are:
- Metformin
- Sulfonylureas
- Meglitinides
- DPP-4 Inhibitors
- GLP-1 Agonists
- SLGT-2 Inhibitors
- Acarbose
- thiazolidinedione
- Amylin analogs
- Insulin and its analogs-human insulin can be reproduced by Recombinant DNA technology using bacteria or yeast. They are classified as rapid, short, intermediate, and long-acting insulin. The classification is according to the duration of action.
Medication altogether with lifestyle changes is beneficial. Therefore only taking antiglycaemics won’t help if sugar is consumed regularly. A healthy lifestyle is mandatory for maintaining blood glucose levels.
Weight gain is a major factor in diabetes. Adding juices like Luxe Slim Cucumber and Dalandan Juice to your routine. This blend is a powerful antioxidant with powerful ingredients like kale, ginger, vitamin C, and marine collagen. It is an immune booster, promotes detoxification, and helps maintain ideal weight. On top of that it is ideal for diabetic patients.
If you have an underlying illness and taking medication, it is recommended to talk to your doctor and discuss this before taking this.
Conclusion:
Diabetes is a chronic, progressive disease that needs a lot of care and attention. It has to be watched from different angles. As the disease grows, the patient has to follow up with an endocrinologist, nutritionist, ophthalmologist, diabetes specialist, foot doctor, and nephrologist. However, blood sugar levels should be tracked regularly and the medication should be revised every 6 months by consulting a diabetes specialist to ensure that the drugs are showing the right mechanism of action for the patient and the blood glucose levels are controlled.