More and more people are now diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. Here’s how to stay healthy with type 2 diabetes.
Medically reviewed by Mike Kenneth Go Doratan, MD · General Surgery · The Medical City Ortigas
More and more people are now diagnosed with diabetes mellitus. Here’s how to stay healthy with type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes impairs the body’s ability to metabolize glucose, a type of sugar. A healthy body transforms glucose into energy with the help of insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas.
Having type 2 diabetes means that either the body does not produce enough insulin to maintain normal levels of glucose, or it stops responding to insulin. Because of this, sugar levels remain and build up in the bloodstream, affecting other major organs and causing serious complications including:
Type 2 diabetes is the most common of the three types of diabetes. It accounts for 90% of diagnosed diabetes cases. It is important for those diagnosed to know how to stay healthy with type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes can develop slowly. It may also go unnoticed over a long period of time, because symptoms are easy to miss. The common symptoms of type 2 diabetes are:
In time, the disease may progress with more severe symptoms. If the body’s blood sugar levels remain high over a long period of time, type 2 diabetes can also cause symptoms that are more uncommon. These include:
A person who has more than two of these symptoms should immediately consult a doctor. Diabetes can be life-threatening if left untreated. This makes it more important to know how to stay healthy with type 2 diabetes.
To date, it is unclear what triggers the onset of diabetes. Normally, the pancreas – the gland behind and below the stomach – produces insulin and naturally releases it into the bloodstream. The insulin then facilitates the movement of glucose from the bloodstream to the cells in the body, where it becomes energy. The effect is that there is a lowered amount of sugar in the bloodstream, and the pancreas also lowers its production of insulin.
For people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, their bodies are unable to properly metabolize glucose or sugar. They become resistant to insulin. As blood glucose levels increase, the pancreas produces more insulin, but it is no longer used efficiently by the body. This damages the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas until it is unable to produce any more to meet the demands of the body. It becomes imperative to learn how to stay healthy with type 2 diabetes.
While there is no known cause for type 2 diabetes, there are many factors that increase the risk of contracting this disease. These include the following:
Want to gauge your risk level? Find out here:
The main test often used to determine the existence of type 2 diabetes:
In case the A1C test is not available, other tests include:
Generally, type 2 diabetes is addressed with diet and exercise. However, in case it is not sufficient, there are other possible medication and treatments for type 2 diabetes, including:
Although there is no cure, type 2 diabetes can be prevented and, even, managed once diagnosed. This is particularly important for those with a history of diabetes in the family.
To reduce your chances of getting type 2 diabetes, the most important intervention is controlling weight gain.
A person diagnosed with type 2 diabetes can practice a healthy lifestyle to prevent further complications, while those with pre-diabetes can live a healthy life to slow or stop the progression to diabetes.
If you already have type 2 diabetes, losing weight can improve your health and blood sugar control.
Here is how to stay healthy with type 2 diabetes:
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease affecting the body and other major organs. It also causes several, and possibly life-threatening complications. However, with proper monitoring, type 2 diabetes can be spotted early on. While proper diagnosis is important for its treatment, a healthy lifestyle is key in how to stay healthy with type 2 diabetes.
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
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