Type 2 diabetes most frequently develops in people over age 45, but children, teens, and young adults are also developing it.
There’s no cure for type 2 diabetes, although you may manage the condition by eating well, exercising and keeping a healthy weight. If diet and exercise aren’t sufficient to control your blood sugar well, you also may require diabetes medications or insulin therapy.
Causes of Type 2 Diabetes
If you have a family member with diabetes, you have a genetic inclination to the condition. Exact causes of type 2 diabetes do not understand, but certain factors can put you at increased risk-
- Have a family history of diabetes
- Being overweight
- Eating a lot of foods or drinks with sugar and simple carbohydrates
- Artificial sweeteners (sugar-free sodas, sugar-free foods) intake
- Lack of activity, lack of exercise
- Stress and stress hormones
- Drinking soda
- Over 45 years of age and have high blood pressure
Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes
Many people with type 2 diabetes exhibit no symptoms. Signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes usually develop slowly.
Early symptom include-
- Increased thirst and frequent urination
- Increased hunger
- Dry mouth
- Itchy skin
- losing weight unintentionally
- Blurred vision
- Slow-healing sores or frequent infections
- Areas of darkened skin
If the blood sugar levels have been high for a long time, the symptoms can include:
- Yeast infections
- Slow-healing cuts or sores
- Dark skin under armpits, chin, or groin
- Feelings of numbness in the extremities, or neuropathy
- Foot pain
Treatment for Type 2 Diabetes
The primary aim of treating type 2 diabetes is control blood glucose levels, however, another key aim is weight management.
Type 2 diabetes can be managed by a number of different methods.
Treatment for this type of diabetes can include:
- Diet Plan and Exercise
- Weight loss
- Oral drugs
- Injectable drugs(GLP-1 receptor agonists)
- Managing other problems like stress or sleep apnea
- Dietary supplements
Drug metformin helps the body to better respond to insulin, whereas sulphonylureas & meglitinides prompt the pancreas to produce more insulin.
Cholesterol-lowering drugs called bile acid sequestrants can also help lower blood glucose level.
Weight loss surgery
Bariatric surgery, further known as weight loss surgery, is an alternative that may be regarded if weight gain is commencing to a high risk of suffering serious health conditions, that may include difficulty breathing and loss of mobility. Bariatric surgery is only suggested for people who are extremely overweight.
Complications of Type 2 Diabetes
Diabetes can cause serious health problems-
- Vision loss and blindness
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Kidney failure
- Lower limb amputation
- Cardiovascular disease, such as a stroke.
Preventing Type 2 Diabetes
You may be able to prevent it from developing by making lifestyle changes-
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Eating a healthy, balanced diet
- Stopping smoking if you smoke
- Taking plenty of regular exercises
- Drinking alcohol in moderation