Type 2 diabetes refers to a chronic disease in which the activity of your body disrupts while metabolizing glucose (sugar). Glucose serves as the crucial source that works as a fuel to the body. The body of a person suffering from type 2 diabetes stops producing enough insulin or resists its effects. As a result, the body cannot manage glucose levels.
The rate of people suffering from type 2 diabetes is increasing not only in the United States but also among other areas of the world. Nowadays, childhood obesity is rising and more children are being diagnosed with this disease.
According to medical experts, type 2 diabetes doesn’t have any cure but it is manageable. You can manage it through managing your diet and regular exercise. If the change in the lifestyle doesn’t help you enough, then you should consult your doctor for getting recommended medicines.
Symptoms
Usually, the symptoms and signs of the disease develop slowly. In fact, it can happen that you are suffering from this disease for years without knowing. Following is a list of the symptoms that you can look into your body!
- Fatigue
- Frequent infections
- Blurred vision
- Frequent urination
- Weight loss
- Increased thirst
- Increased hunger
- Slow-healing sores
- Darkness in the skin (neck and armpits)
When to visit a doctor?
If you notice more than 3 symptoms of the above-mentioned list, then you should visit your doctor to get your examination.
Causes
The resistance of the body towards insulin is the main cause of this disease. Also, the inability of the production of enough insulin in the body is another reason. How it happens is still unknown. However, some other causes include environmental factors, genetics, inactivity, obesity, and other related factors.
Insulin doesn’t work properly when a person is suffering from this disease.
Risk Factors
A number of risk factors may contribute to the onset of type 2 diabetes. Following is a list of these contributing factors. Have a look!
- Inactivity – You should indulge yourself into different activities. If you don’t become active, then it will increase the risks of this disease.
- Race – The main reason behind it is not known, but the individual with some specific races (Asian-American, American Indian, Hispanic, and black) tend to get this disease more usually as compared to the people with other race.
- Fat distribution – Fat distribution is necessary equally in all body parts. However, having extra fat deposits in other areas of the body except abdomen is not a high risk for this disease. On the other hand, if you are having extra fat deposits in your abdomen, then it is a greater risk for you to adopt type 2 diabetes.
- Weight – Are you overweight? Keep in mind that obesity is one of the main risk factors for the onset of this chronic disease.
- Family history – If any of your siblings or parents have this disease, then you also become prone to it.
- Age – When you get older, the risk of getting this disease increases. Specifically, the risk increases after 45 years. However, youngsters and children are also suffering from it.
- PCOS (Polycystic ovarian syndrome) – Women with PCOS are more prone to this disease as compared to other women. The risks of an increase in weight increase in these women.
- Prediabetes – If you don’t get proper treatment of prediabetes, then it may lead to this disease. Prediabetes is basically a condition in which the level of your blood sugar increases than usual.
- Areas of darkened skin – The darkness of some specific body areas depicts insulin resistance which is the sign of diabetes.
- Gestational diabetes – The risk of having type 2 diabetes increases when you develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy.
Prevention
Adopting a healthy lifestyle can be the best prevention for this disease. If you are already diagnosed with type 2 diabetes or any of your family members are suffering from it, then you should use preventive measures to keep yourself safe from getting things worse. Following are the lifestyle changes that can assist you in this regard.
- Physical Activity – Physical activities are highly recommended to make your lifestyle better. Such activities assist in controlling your weight and managing the level of glucose. When you indulge yourself into physical activities, it helps in managing your weight. In this way, you combat one of the main risk factors of type 2 diabetes.
- Eating Healthy Foods – Another habit that you should adopt is to eat healthy foods. Try to select foods higher in fiber and have less amount of calories and fat. You should include whole grains, vegetables, and fruits in your diet.
- Lose Your Weight – If you are overweight or have stubborn fat, try to lose your weight. You can get the assistance of an expert to achieve this goal.
When you need medication?
Sometimes, you need proper medication along with life-changing habits. We recommend you to visit your doctor to know your condition so that if you need treatment or medication, then you can get the prescription. Medications help in reducing the onset of type 2 diabetes and managing your oral health, as well. No wonder, even if you are using prescribed medicines, still positive change in lifestyle is crucial.
