Type 2 diabetes accounts for about 90% of diabetes cases, becoming a chronic condition with increased incidence today. It is characterized by the high presence of sugar in the blood because the body develops resistance to the insulin hormone. This prevents glucose from entering the cells to produce energy, accumulating in the blood and making hyperglycemia, which causes a series of characteristic symptoms of this condition. This slowly progressive degenerative disease must be treated and controlled correctly to avoid serious complications that can even compromise the patient’s life. In this FastlyHealarticle, we explain the symptoms and causes of type 2 diabetes and the proper treatment.
Table of Contents
Causes of type 2 diabetes
Insulin is a hormone produced in the pancreas when sugar levels are high; its goal is to travel in the bloodstream. The sugar or glucose is absorbed by the cells and converted into energy, which will help us carry out our daily homework.
However, due to genetic factors and harmful habits, cells may not respond adequately to the insulin produced in the pancreas, causing sugar to accumulate in the blood without helping to have energy and increasing glucose levels. Dangerously. This condition is known as insulin resistance, the previous step to diabetes mellitus. If it is detected in time and the necessary changes are made, the patient will be able to keep this condition at bay. Still, when resistance progresses, the development of diabetes is imminent.
The main risk factors for type 2 diabetes are:
- Genetic factors, those who have relatives who have suffered from this condition have a greater risk of suffering it.
- Obesity or being overweight is one of the biggest triggers of this disease. The increase in fat in the body hinders the proper use of insulin, triggering this condition.
- Lead a sedentary life lacking physical activity.
- He was suffering from high cholesterol or high blood pressure.
Symptoms of type 2 diabetes
In an initial phase, type 2 diabetes does not present any symptoms, and its presence can only be suspected after a standard blood test in which the glucose level is measured. Performing an annual blood test to measure glucose and other essential factors such as the level of cholesterol or triglycerides is critical to determine our state of health and prematurely treat any condition that may arise. This recommendation is fundamental in people over 50 years of age and those with a family history of diabetes.
When this condition is more advanced and has not been detected or treated, the symptoms of type 2 diabetes are:
- Fatigue.
- Blurry vision.
- Increased appetite
- Increased thirst
- Urinate frequently due to increased fluid intake.
- Increased infections, especially in the urine or bladder, kidneys, or skin.
- The slower healing process.
- In women, menstrual disorders can occur.
- In men, erectile dysfunction.
- In some cases, numbness of the hands and feet.
Not all symptoms usually co-occur or with the same intensity, so many people do not give importance to it, causing the disease to progress even more.
Diagnosis of diabetes
When the test results show that glucose levels are higher than usual, medical consultation should be sought immediately. Routine blood tests should always be done on an empty stomach, and although baseline values may vary slightly between laboratories, glucose should generally be between 70 and 110 mg / dL.
When this limit is exceeded, the doctor will likely perform some tests that allow an accurate diagnosis of diabetes, among which the following stand out:
- Measurement of fasting blood glucose level.
- Hemoglobin A1c examination.
- Test glucose tolerance or glucose curve.
These tests could determine if insulin resistance is present, when profound changes in habits such as improving diet, losing weight, and exercising can be made to avoid diabetes, or if this condition is already present chronicle.
Habit changes for living with diabetes
The treatment of diabetes is always individualized and depends on the patient’s overall health. The consumption of medication will depend on the evaluation and medical criteria. However, the most effective way to prevent sugar levels from rising too high and complications that can put the patient’s health at risk is to eat an adequate diet and increase blood pressure—through physical activity.
That is why it is essential to:
- Follow a diet closely followed by a doctor or nutritionist, which encourages weight loss, the consumption of healthy foods, and a balanced diet.
- Some basic recommendations are to moderate your fat intake, eliminate or minimize the consumption of processed sugar, opt for whole wheat flour, eliminate junk food or fried foods, soda, sweets, pastries, and alcohol, which also contain sugar.
- The desserts, jams, drinks, or consumed fruits must be suitable for people with diabetes.
- Exercise 3-5 times a week to keep your blood sugar low. Activities such as walking, swimming, cycling, or low-intensity aerobic exercises are good alternatives; however, it is necessary to follow particular guidelines to measure blood sugar levels during activity, so it is recommended to consult your doctor before starting the exercise. Exercise plan.
- Completely abandon harmful habits such as smoking or drinking excessively.
- In our article forbidden foods for diabetics, you will find in detail those ingredients that should be removed from your diet.
If a proper diet and frequent exercise do not help control glucose levels, the doctor may recommend taking medications or using insulin to regulate glucose. Following the recommendations of a specialist to the letter is essential to treat diabetes properly.
Avoid complications of diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic disease that carries many complications, especially in those patients who do not watch their diet, lead a sedentary life, and do not maintain healthy habits to combat this condition.
The most common complications of diabetes are:
- Increased risk of heart disease, so you must take special care of diet and fat consumption.
- Diabetic nephropathy is a disease that affects the function of the kidneys when sugar is not controlled correctly.
- Diabetic neuropathy occurs when there is damage to the nerves due to excess sugar. This can lead to loss of sensation in the extremities and conditions such as diabetic foot and erectile dysfunction.
- Eye diseases that compromise sight.
To avoid all these complications, it is essential to follow a strict diet, exercise, and lead healthy habits that allow you to fight against this disease.
This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor if you present any condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Type 2 Diabetes: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment, we recommend that you enter our Endocrine System category.