Type 2 diabetes is a serious condition that needs to be treated as such and one that can have dire consequences if it is not given the proper respect. Here we will look at what type 2 diabetes is, why it is such a serious threat, and how to go about managing it.
What Is Type 2 Diabetes?
Diabetes is defined by an abundance of glucose in the blood stream which in turn causes a range of health problems in itself. This is due to problems with the insulin produced by the body which is what enables us to utilize the sugar in our system. In type I diabetes there is a lack of insulin in the body as it does not produce enough, whereas in type 2 the insulin is not as effective and the body has built up essentially an immunity.
This then means that type 2 diabetes results in the seemingly contradictory state of lethargy combined with excess blood sugar. That blood sugar is also highly damaging to the body causing nerve damage which has a range of symptoms including tingling hands and feet, relative coldness in the extremities, blurred vision and more. Other symptoms are constant need to urinate, constant thirst and increased hunger.
Type 2 diabetes is most often caused by obesity in those who are genetically predisposed to the condition.
How to Manage Type 2 Diabetes
There are many ways to manage type 2 diabetes. Simply reducing your intake of sugar/glucose can help to achieve this as you this way are not ‘adding fuel to the fire’ as it were. To achieve this there are various forms of self monitoring that can be used such as the use of biofeedback devices which provide you with a measurement of your blood glucose. At the same time maintaining good health and bodyweight can also help, as can utilizing shots of insulin – this is necessary as the pancreas attempts to compensate for insulin resistance by producing extra insulin – but eventually it becomes unable to cope with the increased demand and stops producing it in necessary quantities. Other medications can also help in the management of type 2 diabetes. For instance Metformin is recommended as a first line treatment which has been shown to help reduce mortality rates.
You can also manage the symptoms of diabetes and prevent the risk presented by some of the symptoms. For instance avoiding other cardiovascular risk factors can help to avoid heart attack etc by doing moderate and frequent exercise, and by keeping a low blood pressure/cholesterol.
Why It’s So Important to Manage Type 2 Diabetes
Sugar does damage to all the major organs and nerves in the body if it remains in the system in such high quantities. In the short term then, symptoms might be increased need for urination and tiredness, but in the long term they are likely to be much more serious and can include heart problems (there is two to four times the likelihood of heart attack), stroke, the loss of limbs due to nerve damage, blindness due to damage to the optical nerves, kidney failure and even increased chances of cognitive problems such as Alzheimer’s or vascular dementia. Sexual dysfunction is also a possible symptom, as is increased chances of infections which can result in all manner of other serious complications.
Type 2 diabetes is a very serious condition then, and if it isn’t managed it can wreak devastating havoc on the body. With the correct lifestyle and diet changes however, coupled with the use of medication, it can be a lot less damaging and something we can easily live with. It’s your choice.
The information is good but can add some more information such type of diet or exercise to reduce the type 2 diabetics.