It is no secret that type 2 diabetes is a serious condition that can last a lifetime. Left untreated, high blood sugar levels can cause severe damage to the body, including the eyes, heart, and feet. These complications are known as diabetes complications. Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition in which the body has difficulty regulating and using sugar (glucose) as fuel.
This is often due to unhealthy diets that have caused our waistlines to expand. As a result, we are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes and other diseases. Diabetes is a serious condition and if left untreated, it can lead to dangerous complications such as nerve damage and kidney failure. The good news is that you can often avoid type 2 diabetes and its complications. Normally, when you eat, your pancreas releases insulin which moves sugar from food out of your blood and into your cells where it can be used as energy or stored.
However, if you have type 2 diabetes, this system does not work as well as it should because your cells have difficulty responding to insulin. As a result, sugar accumulates in the blood which can damage organs such as the eyes and kidneys and lead to complications such as nerve damage and heart disease. You can help prevent diabetes complications by maintaining good blood sugar control but first you need to know if you have type 2 diabetes. Sometimes it can be hard to tell because you may not have any symptoms at first. Being very thirsty, tired or having to go to the bathroom a lot can be clues that you might have developed diabetes.
Blurred vision can also be a clue. The doctor can confirm this with a blood test. Once you know you have diabetes, it's your job to keep it under control. You'll need to check your blood sugar level at home and talk to your doctor about how to lower your blood sugar with diet, exercise, and possibly medication. To avoid serious complications, you will need to see not only a doctor but also a team of health professionals such as a podiatrist, ophthalmologist and dentist for cleanings and exams.
Additionally, because type 2 diabetes increases your risk of heart disease, you'll need to see your primary care doctor regularly to check your blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglycerides and make sure your kidneys are working properly. Like any other disease, it is better to avoid type 2 diabetes than to treat it. If you're at risk because you're overweight or over 45, ask your doctor to test your blood sugar at your next checkup. If you have already developed diabetes, you can help avoid complications by staying on top of your health, checking your blood sugar levels, eating a healthy diet, exercising and consulting all your specialists in time. No matter where you are with type 2 diabetes, there are a few things you should know. It is the most common form of diabetes which means that your body does not use insulin properly.
While some people can control their blood sugar levels with a healthy diet and exercise, others may need medication or insulin to control it. In any case, there are steps you can take to fight it. Not sure where to start? Learn how type 2 diabetes is diagnosed. Treatment for diabetic retinopathy is only needed if screening tests detect significant problems that mean your vision is at risk. If you have type 2 diabetes, you should be invited for an eye exam once a year to check for diabetic retinopathy.
People of South Asian and Afro-Caribbean origin are also at higher risk of developing complications of type 2 diabetes, such as heart disease at a younger age than the rest of the population. Diabetes is usually a lifelong condition that causes a person's blood glucose (sugar) level to rise too high. The recommended diet for people with type 2 diabetes is the same diet that almost everyone should follow. For type 2 diabetes, there are several local adult education programs many of which work to meet the criteria of structured education. Diabetes symptoms occur because a lack of insulin means that glucose stays in the blood and is not used as fuel to generate energy. Diabetes control and blood sugar control can reduce the risk of these complications or coexisting conditions (comorbidities).
More than 37 million Americans have diabetes (about 1 in 10) and about 90-95% of them have type 2 diabetes. People with type 2 diabetes may need to take special steps before, during and after physical activity or exercise such as adjusting insulin doses if needed. In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas does not make enough insulin or the insulin it produces does not always work as it should. Another type of diabetes known as gestational diabetes occurs in some pregnant women and tends to go away after birth. Your family doctor or diabetes nurse will also teach a family member or close friend how to inject insulin correctly. Healthy lifestyle choices can help prevent type 2 diabetes even if you have biological family members living with diabetes. Make sure you talk to your doctor about how best to manage your condition so that you can avoid serious complications.
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