Type 2 Diabetes is a common condition where your body struggles to use sugar (glucose) for energy. In the U.S. alone, over 1 in 10 people live with it, and many don’t even know it. That sounds scary, but you can manage it. In many cases, it can even be delayed or prevented with simple daily habits.
Take a deep breath if your doctor just told you you have it or if you are worried you might. This condition doesn’t have to control your life, and help is available. With the proper steps, you can stay healthy and feel better with this type of Diabetes.
In this article, you’ll learn what Type 2 Diabetes is, what signs to look for, and how to take charge of your health.
What is Type 2 Diabetes?
Type 2 Diabetes is a long-term condition. Your body struggles to use a hormone called insulin. Insulin helps sugar (glucose) move from your blood into your cells for energy.
When your body doesn’t use insulin well, sugar accumulates, resulting in high blood sugar levels. Over time, high blood sugar can impact many parts of your body.
Many people ask about the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes. Type 1 Diabetes happens when your body stops making insulin. Type 2 means your body still makes insulin but doesn’t use it well.
Beat Type 2 Diabetes relief awaits you:
Common signs and symptoms to watch for
You may not feel anything at first. But some early signs can appear. Being aware of the signs and symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes can help you detect it early.
Here are common symptoms of Diabetes Type 2:
- Feeling very thirsty
- Peeing often, especially at night
- Feeling very tired
- Blurry vision
- Slow-healing cuts or bruises
- Tingling or numb hands and feet
- Frequent infections
If you notice these signs of Type 2 Diabetes, talk to a doctor right away.
Who gets Type 2 Diabetes?
Anyone can get it, but some individuals have a higher chance. Understanding what causes Type 2 Diabetes and the risk factors can help you know if you need to be extra careful.
The causes and risk factors you can’t change are:
- Family history: Your risk is higher if your parents or siblings have it.
- Age: Your risk goes up after age 45.
- Race/ethnicity: Black, Hispanic, Native American, and Asian American people have a higher risk.
- Gestational Diabetes: History of Gestational Diabetes when pregnant.
The causes and risk factors you can change are:
- Weight: Being overweight, especially around your middle.
- Activity level: Not exercising regularly.
- Diet: Having too many sugary or processed foods.
- Blood pressure: Having High Blood Pressure.
- Cholesterol: Having unhealthy cholesterol levels.
- Smoking: Using tobacco products;
Type 2 Diabetes causes often involve a mix of genes and lifestyle. Your genes may make you more likely to get it, but your daily habits can increase or decrease that risk.
Complications
Taking care of this type of Diabetes is vital because high blood sugar can harm your body over time. These problems don’t happen right away, but they can be serious.
The probable short-term complications of having Type 2 are:
- Very high blood sugar can make you feel very sick.
- Very low blood sugar from some Diabetes medicines can be dangerous.
- More infections and slower healing.
The possible long-term complications of Type 2 Diabetes are:
- Heart disease and stroke risk
- Kidney damage
- Eye problems
- Nerve damage
- Foot problems
- Hearing loss
- Skin conditions
- Sleep problems
These problems sound scary, but they don’t happen to everyone. Good Diabetes care can prevent or delay many of these issues.
Overseeing your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol can help you stay healthier longer. Regular check-ups also help catch problems early, when they’re easier to treat.
Diagnosis
Doctors use a few simple blood tests to find out if you have Type 2. These tests assess how much sugar is in your blood.
Here are the standard tests:
- A1C test: It displays your average blood sugar over the past 2 to 3 months..
- Fasting blood sugar test: This test checks your blood sugar after not eating anything for 8 hours.
- Glucose tolerance test: This measures how your body handles sugar after drinking a sweet drink.
- Random blood sugar test: It checks your blood sugar at any time of day.
Your doctor may repeat tests to confirm. If the results show high sugar levels, you may need a plan for treating Type 2 Diabetes.
How to manage Type 2 Diabetes
Managing this Diabetes type means maintaining your blood sugar in a healthy range. You can feel better and lower the risk of problems with the proper steps.
Type 2 Diabetes treatment includes both lifestyle changes and sometimes medications:
Medications
Sometimes, lifestyle changes aren’t enough. Many people take Diabetes medications to help their body use insulin better or make more of it.
Oral medications
Some common Type 2 Diabetes medications include:
- Metformin: Typically, doctors usually prescribe this medicine first.
- Sulfonylureas: Help your body make more insulin.
- DPP-4 inhibitors: Help your body make insulin after meals.
- SGLT2 inhibitors: Help your kidneys remove sugar through urine.
- GLP-1 receptor agonists: Help your body release insulin when needed.
Insulin
Some people with Type 2 may need insulin shots to regulate their blood sugar. This happens when their body no longer makes enough insulin. This doesn’t mean they’ve failed; it just means their bodies need extra help.
Type 2 Diabetes medications work in different ways. Your doctor will help you find what works best for you. Always take medicines exactly as the doctor prescribes.
These are FDA-approved treatments; you must take them as your doctor advises.
Lifestyle changes
Along with medicines, small daily steps can make a big difference.
Here are some lifestyle tips:
- Move your body every day. Try exercises for Diabetes, such as walking, biking, or dancing.
- Choose healthy foods. Use a Type 2 Diabetes food list as a guide.
- Increase your consumption of vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
- Avoid sugary drinks and fried foods.
- Watch your portions.
- Get enough sleep.
- Lower stress with breathing, meditation, or stretching.
Also, keep track of your blood sugar and visit your doctor regularly. This is part of good Type 2 Diabetes self-care.
Can you prevent Type 2 Diabetes?
Yes, you can minimize your chances of getting this type of Diabetes.
Here are some helpful steps to prevent Diabetes complications:
- Eat a healthy diet for Diabetes Type 2 prevention.
- Keep a healthy weight.
- Stay active for 30 minutes a day.
- Get regular health checks.
Some studies, like the one in The New England Journal of Medicine published in 2002, show that these lifestyle habits can decrease the risk of Type 2 Diabetes even more than medicines like Metformin.
Some people can return their blood sugar to normal levels without medicine, a process sometimes called remission. This approach works best when individuals have had Diabetes for less than six years, have lost significant weight and maintained that weight loss, and start treatment early after their diagnosis.
Even if complete remission isn’t possible, any improvement in blood sugar is good for your health. Every step toward better health counts.
Conclusion
Type 2 Diabetes is a long-term issue that affects how your body uses insulin. It can cause high blood sugar, leading to serious health problems over time. Knowing the signs, like thirst, tiredness, or frequent infections, can help you catch it early.
While anyone can develop this type 2, your risk increases with age, weight, family history, and lifestyle. If not addressed in time, it can lead to heart disease, kidney damage, nerve pain, and more.
Diagnosis is simple with blood tests, and early treatment is key. Managing it means combining healthy habits with the proper medications if needed.
Significant lifestyle changes can even lower your risk or sometimes reverse the condition. The earlier you act, the better your chances of staying healthy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is more serious, Diabetes Type 1 or Diabetes Type 2?
Both can be serious, but Type 1 is usually more worrying because your body stops making insulin completely. Type 2 happens when your body doesn’t use insulin well. With care, you can manage both and live a healthy life.
What foods should Type 2 diabetics avoid?
If you have Type 2, avoid foods high in sugar and unhealthy fats. Avoid sweets, sugary drinks, white bread, and fried foods. These can raise your blood sugar quickly. Instead, choose healthy foods like vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins to maintain your blood sugar.
Is Type 1 Diabetes curable?
No, Type 1 Diabetes is not curable. It happens when your body stops making insulin, a hormone that helps control blood sugar. You need to take insulin every day to stay healthy. Doctors and scientists are working hard to find a cure, but for now, managing it is the best way.
I sometimes feel a strange metallic taste in my mouth when my blood sugar is high. Is that common?
Yes, it is common for some people to feel a strange metallic taste in their mouth sometimes when their blood sugar is high. This can happen because high sugar levels affect your body in many ways, including your sense of taste. If you notice this often, talk to your doctor.
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