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How do i know if i have diabetes type 2. Type 2 Diabetes: Symptoms, Causes, and Risk Factors You Need to Know

by alexxlab

What are the common symptoms of type 2 diabetes. How is type 2 diabetes diagnosed. Who is at higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes. What lifestyle factors contribute to type 2 diabetes risk. How does type 2 diabetes differ from other forms of diabetes. What are the global statistics on type 2 diabetes prevalence. How can you prevent or manage type 2 diabetes.

Understanding Type 2 Diabetes: A Growing Health Concern

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. It occurs when the body becomes resistant to insulin or doesn’t produce enough insulin to maintain normal blood glucose levels. As the most common form of diabetes, type 2 accounts for approximately 90-95% of all diabetes cases.

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes has been steadily increasing, with an estimated 462 million people affected globally. This represents about 6.3% of the world’s population, making it a significant public health concern. It’s currently the ninth leading cause of death worldwide, responsible for over 1 million deaths annually.

Recognizing the Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes

Identifying the symptoms of type 2 diabetes is crucial for early diagnosis and treatment. However, the symptoms can be subtle and develop gradually over time. Some people may not experience any noticeable symptoms in the early stages of the disease.

  • Increased thirst and frequent urination
  • Blurred vision
  • Fatigue and weakness
  • Slow-healing wounds
  • Recurring yeast infections
  • Increased hunger
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Numbness or tingling in hands or feet

Are these symptoms always indicative of type 2 diabetes? Not necessarily. While these signs can suggest the presence of diabetes, they may also be associated with other health conditions. It’s essential to consult a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis if you experience any of these symptoms persistently.

Risk Factors for Developing Type 2 Diabetes

Several factors can increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Understanding these risk factors can help you assess your own risk and take preventive measures.

Non-modifiable Risk Factors

  • Age (45 years or older)
  • Family history of diabetes
  • Ethnicity (higher risk in African American, Alaska Native, Native American, Asian American, Hispanic or Latino, and Pacific Islander populations)
  • History of gestational diabetes
  • Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

Modifiable Risk Factors

  • Being overweight or obese
  • Physical inactivity
  • Poor diet high in processed foods and sugars
  • Smoking
  • Chronic stress
  • Irregular sleep patterns

Can addressing modifiable risk factors significantly reduce your chances of developing type 2 diabetes? Absolutely. Adopting a healthy lifestyle, maintaining a balanced diet, engaging in regular physical activity, and managing stress can greatly lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

The Pathophysiology of Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is a complex metabolic disorder characterized by two main problems: insulin resistance and impaired insulin secretion. In insulin resistance, the body’s cells become less responsive to insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas that regulates blood sugar levels. As a result, the pancreas initially produces more insulin to compensate, but over time, it may not be able to keep up with the increased demand.

This leads to a gradual rise in blood glucose levels, eventually resulting in type 2 diabetes. The exact mechanisms behind insulin resistance are not fully understood, but factors such as obesity, physical inactivity, and genetic predisposition play significant roles.

Key Factors in Type 2 Diabetes Development

  1. Insulin resistance in muscle, fat, and liver cells
  2. Impaired insulin secretion by pancreatic beta cells
  3. Increased glucose production by the liver
  4. Abnormal fat metabolism
  5. Impaired incretin effect (hormones that stimulate insulin release)

How does understanding the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes help in its management? By recognizing the underlying mechanisms, healthcare providers can tailor treatment approaches to address specific aspects of the disease, such as improving insulin sensitivity or enhancing insulin production.

Diagnosing Type 2 Diabetes: Tests and Criteria

Diagnosing type 2 diabetes involves blood tests to measure glucose levels. Healthcare providers typically use one or more of the following tests:

  • Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG) Test: Measures blood glucose after an 8-hour fast
  • Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT): Measures blood glucose before and 2 hours after drinking a glucose solution
  • Hemoglobin A1C Test: Reflects average blood glucose levels over the past 2-3 months
  • Random Plasma Glucose Test: Measures blood glucose at any time of day

Diagnostic criteria for type 2 diabetes include:

  • FPG ≥ 126 mg/dL (7.0 mmol/L)
  • 2-hour plasma glucose ≥ 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) during OGTT
  • A1C ≥ 6.5% (48 mmol/mol)
  • Random plasma glucose ≥ 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) in a person with classic symptoms of hyperglycemia

Is a single test sufficient for diagnosing type 2 diabetes? Generally, a diagnosis requires two abnormal test results from the same sample or in two separate test samples. If the results are borderline, your healthcare provider may recommend retesting after a few weeks.

Global Impact and Epidemiology of Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes has reached epidemic proportions globally, with its prevalence increasing rapidly in both developed and developing countries. The rise in type 2 diabetes cases is closely linked to increasing rates of obesity, sedentary lifestyles, and population aging.

Global Statistics

  • 462 million people worldwide have type 2 diabetes (6.3% of the global population)
  • Cases are increasing faster in developed countries like the U.S. and Western Europe
  • It affects men and women at approximately the same rate
  • Prevalence increases with age: 4.4% in ages 15-49, 15% in ages 50-69, and 22% in those 70 and older

Ethnic Disparities

Type 2 diabetes disproportionately affects certain ethnic groups, including:

  • Black populations
  • Hispanic populations
  • Native American populations
  • Asian populations

Why do these ethnic disparities exist in type 2 diabetes prevalence? The reasons are multifaceted and include genetic factors, cultural differences in diet and lifestyle, socioeconomic factors affecting access to healthcare and healthy foods, and disparities in education about diabetes prevention and management.

Prevention and Management Strategies for Type 2 Diabetes

While type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition, it can be prevented or managed effectively through lifestyle modifications and, when necessary, medical interventions. Adopting healthy habits can significantly reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and help manage the condition for those already diagnosed.

Lifestyle Modifications

  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Engage in regular physical activity (at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week)
  • Follow a balanced, nutrient-rich diet
  • Limit intake of processed foods, sugary drinks, and excessive alcohol
  • Quit smoking
  • Manage stress through relaxation techniques or counseling
  • Ensure adequate sleep (7-9 hours per night for adults)

Medical Management

For individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, treatment may include:

  • Blood glucose monitoring
  • Oral medications to improve insulin sensitivity or increase insulin production
  • Injectable medications, including insulin therapy when necessary
  • Regular check-ups and screenings for diabetes-related complications

Can type 2 diabetes be reversed through lifestyle changes? While “reversal” is a complex term in the context of diabetes, some individuals with type 2 diabetes have achieved long-term remission through significant lifestyle changes, particularly weight loss and increased physical activity. However, ongoing monitoring and maintenance of these lifestyle changes are crucial to sustain remission.

Complications and Long-term Health Impacts of Type 2 Diabetes

Uncontrolled type 2 diabetes can lead to various complications affecting multiple organ systems. Understanding these potential complications emphasizes the importance of proper diabetes management.

Common Complications

  • Cardiovascular disease (heart disease and stroke)
  • Kidney disease (nephropathy)
  • Eye problems (retinopathy and cataracts)
  • Nerve damage (neuropathy)
  • Foot problems (increased risk of infections and amputations)
  • Skin conditions
  • Hearing impairment
  • Increased risk of certain cancers
  • Cognitive decline and dementia

How can these complications be prevented or minimized? Maintaining good blood glucose control through proper diet, exercise, medication adherence, and regular medical check-ups is crucial in preventing or delaying the onset of diabetes-related complications. Early detection and treatment of complications can also help minimize their impact on overall health and quality of life.

Type 2 diabetes is a complex metabolic disorder with far-reaching health implications. Its increasing prevalence worldwide underscores the need for greater awareness, prevention efforts, and improved management strategies. By understanding the risk factors, symptoms, and potential complications of type 2 diabetes, individuals can take proactive steps to reduce their risk or effectively manage the condition if diagnosed. Regular medical check-ups, adopting a healthy lifestyle, and staying informed about the latest developments in diabetes care are essential components of a comprehensive approach to tackling this global health challenge.

Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Type 2 diabetes is a lifelong disease that keeps your body from using insulin the way it should.

People who are middle-aged or older are most likely to get this kind of diabetes. It used to be called adult-onset diabetes or diabetes mellitus. But type 2 diabetes also affects kids and teens, mainly because of childhood obesity.

Type 2 is the most common form of diabetes. About 1 in 10 people in the U.S. have type 2. Nearly 1 in 3 have prediabetes, meaning their blood sugar (or blood glucose) is high but not high enough to be diabetes yet.

The symptoms of type 2 diabetes can be so mild that you don’t notice them. About 9 million people have it and don’t know it. Symptoms include:

  • Being very thirsty
  • Peeing a lot
  • Blurry vision
  • Tingling or numbness in your hands or feet
  • Fatigue/feeling worn out
  • Wounds that don’t heal
  • Yeast infections that keep coming back
  • Feeling hungry
  • Weight loss without trying
  • Getting infections

If you have dark rashes around your neck or armpits, see your doctor. These are called acanthosis nigricans, and they can be signs that your body is becoming resistant to insulin.

Learn more about type 2 diabetes symptoms .

There are three main types of diabetes:

Type 2 diabetes

About 90%-95% of all people with diabetes have this type. With type 2, your pancreas makes some insulin — the hormone that helps your cells turn glucose (a type of sugar) from the food you eat into energy. In some people, your cells don’t respond to this hormone as they should (a condition called insulin resistance).

Type 1 diabetes

In type 1, your immune system attacks and destroys the cells in your pancreas that make insulin, leading to high blood sugar. Doctors aren’t sure why this happens. Type 1 isn’t related to weight or lifestyle habits. It used to be called insulin-dependent or childhood diabetes. 

Gestational diabetes

You only get this type of diabetes when you’re pregnant. It happens because hormonal changes and weight gain during pregnancy can lead to insulin resistance. It usually goes away after you have your baby.

Usually, a combination of things causes type 2 diabetes. They might include:

  • Genes. Scientists have found different bits of DNA that affect how your body makes insulin.
  • Weight. Having extra weight or obesity can cause insulin resistance.
  • Metabolic syndrome. People with insulin resistance often have a group of conditions including high blood sugar, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol and triglycerides.
  • Too much glucose from your liver. When your blood sugar is low, your liver makes and sends out glucose. After you eat, your blood sugar goes up, and your liver usually slows down and stores its glucose for later. But some people’s livers don’t. They keep making sugar.
  • Bad communication between cells. Sometimes, cells send the wrong signals or don’t pick up messages correctly. When these problems affect how your cells make and use insulin or glucose, this can lead to diabetes.
  • Broken beta cells. If the cells that make insulin send it out at the wrong time, your blood sugar gets thrown off. High blood sugar can damage these cells, too.

Certain things make it more likely that you’ll get type 2 diabetes. The more of these that apply to you, the higher your chances of getting it are. Some things are related to who you are:

  • Age. 45 or older
  • Family. A parent, sister, or brother with diabetes
  • Ethnicity. African American, Alaska Native, Native American, Asian American, Hispanic or Latino, or Pacific Islander American

Risk factors related to your medical history and health include:

  • Insulin resistance
  • Prediabetes
  • Heart and blood vessel disease
  • High blood pressure, even if it’s treated and under control
  • Low HDL (“good”) cholesterol
  • High triglycerides
  • Being overweight or having obesity
  • Having a baby who weighed more than 9 pounds
  • Gestational diabetes while you were pregnant
  • Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
  • Depression

Other things that raise your risk of diabetes have to do with your daily habits and lifestyle. These are the ones you can do something about:

  • Getting little or no exercise
  • Smoking
  • Stress
  • Sleeping too little or too much

Type 2 diabetes epidemiology

Some 462 million people worldwide, or about 6.3% of the population, have type 2 diabetes. It’s the ninth leading cause of death, responsible for more than 1 million deaths each year. Cases of type 2 diabetes are increasing faster in developed countries like the U.S. and Western Europe.

Scientists say type 2 diabetes affects men and women at about the same rate.

It’s more common in people in middle age and older, affecting:

  • 4.4% of those ages 15-49
  • 15% of those ages 50-69
  • 22% of those 70 and older 

It’s also more common in people of color, including those whose heritage is:

  • Black
  • Hispanic
  • Native American
  • Asian 

Your doctor can test your blood for signs of type 2 diabetes. Usually, they’ll test you on 2 different days to confirm the diagnosis. But if your blood glucose is very high or you have many symptoms, one test may be all you need.

Blood tests for type 2 diabetes include:

  • A1c. It’s an average percent of your blood glucose over the past 2 or 3 months.
  • Fasting plasma glucose. This is also known as a fasting blood sugar test. It measures your blood sugar on an empty stomach. You won’t be able to eat or drink anything except water for 8 hours before the test.
  • Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). This checks your blood glucose before and 2 hours after you drink something sweet to see how your body handles the sugar.

Learn more about how type 2 diabetes is diagnosed.
 

Researchers have defined four stages of type 2 diabetes: 

Insulin resistance

In this stage, your body usually makes enough insulin to keep blood sugar levels in the normal range. But if your cells “resist” the insulin (don’t use it correctly), your body will make more insulin to try to help the glucose get into them. Insulin resistance can be temporary, but it can also last. There’s no test to detect insulin resistance, so it can be hard to diagnose.

Prediabetes

Eventually, insulin resistance causes glucose to build up in your blood. You have prediabetes when your blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be considered diabetes. An A1c between 5.7% and 6.4% means you have prediabetes. You may not have any symptoms. But prediabetes ups your risk for heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. 

Type 2 diabetes

If your A1c is 6.5% or higher, you have diabetes. You may have symptoms like increased thirst, blurred vision, and numbness in feet or hands. Or you may not have any symptoms at all. 

Type 2 diabetes with vascular complications

At this stage, your diabetes has led to vascular (blood vessel) problems. You may have damage to vessels in your eyes (retinopathy), kidneys (nephropathy), and certain nerves (neuropathy). You might also develop heart disease, stroke, or circulation issues.

Managing type 2 diabetes includes a mix of lifestyle changes and medication.

Lifestyle changes

You may be able to reach your target blood sugar levels with diet and exercise alone.

  • Weight loss. Dropping extra pounds can help. While losing 5% of your body weight is good, losing at least 7% and keeping it off seems to be ideal. That means someone who weighs 180 pounds can change their blood sugar levels by losing around 13 pounds. Weight loss can seem overwhelming, but portion control and eating healthy foods are a good place to start.
  • Healthy eating. There’s no specific diet for type 2 diabetes. A registered dietitian can teach you about carbs and help you make a meal plan you can stick with. Focus on:
    • Eating fewer calories
    • Cutting back on refined carbs, especially sweets
    • Adding veggies and fruits to your diet
    • Getting more fiber
  • Exercise. Try to get 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity every day. You can walk, bike, swim, or do anything else that gets your heart rate up. Pair that with strength training, like yoga or weightlifting. If you take a medication that lowers your blood sugar, you might need a snack before a workout.
  • Watch your blood sugar levels. Depending on your treatment, especially if you’re on insulin, your doctor will tell you if you need to test your blood sugar levels and how often to do it.

Medication

If lifestyle changes don’t get you to your target blood sugar levels, you may need medication. Some of the most common for type 2 diabetes include:

  • Metformin (Fortamet, Glucophage, Glumetza, Riomet). This is usually the first medication used to treat type 2 diabetes. It lowers the amount of glucose your liver makes and helps your body respond better to the insulin it does make.
  • Sulfonylureas. This group of drugs helps your body make more insulin. They include glimepiride (Amaryl), glipizide (Glucotrol), and glyburide (DiaBeta, Micronase).
  • Meglitinides. They help your body make more insulin, and they work faster than sulfonylureas. You might take nateglinide (Starlix) or repaglinide (Prandin).
  • Thiazolidinediones. Like metformin, they make you more sensitive to insulin. You could get pioglitazone (Actos) or rosiglitazone (Avandia). But they also raise your risk of heart problems, so they aren’t usually a first choice for treatment.
  • DPP-4 inhibitors. These medications — linagliptin (Tradjenta), saxagliptin (Onglyza), and sitagliptin (Januvia) — help lower your blood sugar levels, but they can also cause joint pain and could inflame your pancreas. They work by blocking DPP-4, which is an enzyme that affects the hormone incretin.
  • GLP-1 receptor agonists. You take these medications with a needle to slow digestion and lower blood sugar levels. Some of the most common ones are exenatide (Byetta, Bydureon), liraglutide (Victoza), and semaglutide (Ozempic).
  • SGLT2 inhibitors. These help your kidneys filter out more glucose. You might get bexagliflozin (Brenzavvy), canagliflozin (Invokana), dapagliflozin (Farxiga), or empagliflozin (Jardiance). Empagliflozin has also proven effective in reducing the risk of hospitalization or death from heart failure.
  • GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist.  Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) is the first in its class and activates both the GLP-1 and GIP receptors, which leads to improved blood sugar control.
  • Insulin. You might take long-lasting shots at night, such as insulin detemir (Levemir) or insulin glargine (Lantus).

Even if you change your lifestyle and take your medicine as directed, your blood sugar may still get worse over time. That doesn’t mean you’ve done something wrong. Diabetes is progressive, and many people eventually need more than one drug.

When you take more than one drug to control your type 2 diabetes, that’s called combination therapy. You and your doctor should work together to find the best mix for you. 

Some drugs control blood sugar spikes (your doctor may call this hyperglycemia) that come right after meals, for instance. Others are more effective at stopping drops in blood sugar (hypoglycemia) between meals. Some may help with weight loss or cholesterol, as well as your diabetes.

You and your doctor should talk about any possible side effects. Cost may be an issue as well.

If you take medication for something else, that will need to be factored into any decision.

You’ll need to see your doctor more often when you start taking a new combination of drugs.

You might find that adding a second drug doesn’t bring your blood sugar under control. Or the combination of two drugs might work only for a short time. If that happens, your doctor might consider a third non-insulin drug, or you may start insulin therapy.

Surgeries for type 2 diabetes

Weight loss surgery can effectively treat type 2 diabetes by helping you to lose weight. These procedures limit how much food you can eat or how many nutrients your body can take in. You’ll need to commit to long-term healthy lifestyle changes to get full benefits of this type of surgery. 

Several types are available. Talk to your doctor about whether weight loss surgery is right for you. 

Alternative treatments for type 2 diabetes

There’s not much scientific evidence that any alternative treatment can you help manage your blood sugar.  Research into dietary supplements has found that:

  • Chromium has little benefit and can be harmful in large doses.
  • Cinnamon might lower fasting blood sugar levels, but doesn’t affect A1c. 
  • Magnesium has mixed results in studies, may cause side effects, and can be dangerous at large does.  

Some research has found that mind-body practices like yoga and meditation might help with blood sugar control when used along with diabetes drugs. That may be because of their stress-relief benefits.  

 Always talk to your doctor before trying any alternative treatment. These treatments can’t take the place of diabetes medications. 

Some populations are more likely to get type 2 diabetes. Latino (12%), Black (12%), and Asian (10%) people have higher rates of diabetes than white people (7%). American Indians get it at about twice the rate as white people (14.5%). Members of racial and ethnic minority groups with type 2 are also likely to have worse health outcomes.

Yet research shows that members of minority groups are less likely to use newer diabetes medications, regardless of their income or whether they have health insurance. And no matter what their ethnicity, people with lower incomes were less likely to take these medications. Across all races and ethnicities with diabetes, about 15% live in poverty, 19% have difficulties accessing food, and 51% have low-quality diets.

Also, Black, Latino, and Native American people are less likely to be included in clinical studies to try new diabetes drugs.

Over time, high blood sugar can damage and cause problems with your:

  • Heart and blood vessels. You’re up to twice as likely to get heart disease or have a stroke , and at a younger age. You’re also at high risk of blocked blood vessels (atherosclerosis) and chest pain (angina).
  • Kidneys. If your kidneys are damaged or you have kidney failure, you could need dialysis or a kidney replacement.
  • Eyes. High blood sugar can damage the tiny blood vessels in the backs of your eyes. If this isn’t treated, it can cause blindness.
  • Nerves. This can lead to trouble with digestion, the feeling in your feet, and your sexual response.
  • Skin. Your blood doesn’t circulate as well, so wounds heal slower and can become infected.
  • Pregnancy. Parents with diabetes are more likely to have a miscarriage, a stillbirth, or a baby with a birth defect.
  • Sleep. You might develop sleep apnea, a condition in which your breathing stops and starts while you sleep.
  • Hearing. You’re more likely to have hearing problems, but it’s not clear why.
  • Brain. High blood sugar can damage your brain and might put you at higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
  • Depression. People with the disease are twice as likely to get depressed as people who don’t have it.

The best way to avoid these complications is to manage your type 2 diabetes well.

  • Take your diabetes medications or insulin on time.
  • Check your blood sugar.
  • Eat right, and don’t skip meals.
  • See your doctor regularly to check for early signs of trouble.

Managing diabetes is complicated. You’ll need to adopt healthy lifestyle habits, check your blood sugar regularly, and keep up with doctor visits and treatments. But your efforts can have a big impact on your health and your quality of life.  

Type 2 diabetes diet

A dietitian can help you create a personalized meal plan that takes your needs and preferences into account. A healthy diabetes diet should focus on:

  • Limiting highly processed foods
  • Reducing added sugars and low-fiber refined grains like white bread
  • Boosting your intake of non-starchy vegetables like broccoli and green beans

Type 2 diabetes costs

On average, people diagnosed with diabetes spend about 2.3 times more on medical care than those who don’t have the condition. Their medical expenses average about $16,750 a year, $9,600 of which is due directly to diabetes. 

These expenses include doctor visits, hospitalizations, and medication. You may have other costs as well, such as lost time and less productivity at work.

Managing type 2 diabetes

Managing your type 2 diabetes well helps you avoid complications and feel your best. Along with a healthy diet, regular exercise, and medication as prescribed:

  • Keep your blood pressure and cholesterol levels in the healthy range. High levels of either could raise your risk of diabetes complications.
  • Get regular eye exams, dentist visits, and physicals.
  • Check your feet daily for sores, redness, or swelling and let your doctor know if you notice any issues. 
  • Get at least 7 hours of good-quality sleep each night, as sleep loss interferes with blood sugar control. Ask your doctor for help if you have a hard time sleeping.
  • Be careful with alcohol. Limit alcoholic drinks to 1-2 drinks a day, depending on your size and gender. If you do drink alcohol, check your blood sugar afterward.   
  • Work with your doctor to come up with a sick day plan. Even a minor illness can interfere with your blood sugar and insulin levels. You may need to adjust your medications or check your blood sugar more often.

Type 2 diabetes and mental health

A long-term health condition can take a toll on your mental health. People with diabetes are more than twice as likely to have depression, and 20% more likely to have anxiety, than those without the condition. Many don’t get diagnosed or treated, even though therapy, medication, or a combination can work very well.

Many people with diabetes sometimes get overwhelmed by the pressures of trying to manage the condition. This is called diabetes distress, and it can lead to you to neglect your health. A support group or counseling could help you overcome it. 

If you’re worried about your emotional health, ask your doctor to recommend a mental health professional.

The long-term outlook for people with type 2 varies, depending on how effectively they manage the condition. At age 50, the average life expectancy (LE) for those with type 2 is 6 years shorter than those without the condition. But proper care and treatment can help you improve those odds. 

Can type 2 diabetes be cured?

There’s no cure for type 2. You may be able to get your blood sugar under control by losing weight and making healthy lifestyle changes, and might even be able to stop taking diabetes medications. But this isn’t the case for everyone. 

What to expect with type 2 diabetes

Type 2 is a serious condition that calls for a lifelong commitment to managing it. Over the long term, high blood sugar can lead to heart, vision, and kidney problems. But you can take steps to avoid these complications and extend your life. Several studies show that:

  • Reducing your A1c levels from 10% to under 8% can increase life expectancy by almost 3.5 years.
  • Quitting smoking can increase LE in women over 50 by almost a year, and by almost 2 years in men over 70.
  • Lowering LDL (“bad”) cholesterol can improve LE by almost a year.

All these things also reduce your risk of developing other diseases.

 

Adopting a healthy lifestyle can help you lower your risk of diabetes :

  • Lose weight. Dropping just 7% to 10% of your weight can cut your risk of type 2 diabetes in half.
  • Get active. 30 minutes of brisk walking a day will cut your risk by almost a third.
  • Eat right. Avoid highly processed carbs, sugary drinks, and trans and saturated fats. Limit red and processed meats.
  • Quit smoking. Work with your doctor to keep from gaining weight after you quit, so you don’t create one problem by solving another.

Type 2 diabetes is a serious condition that requires lifelong management. Weight loss, a healthy lifestyle, and medications, if needed, can help you keep it under control. They can also help you live a longer, healthier life. 

Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Type 2 diabetes is a lifelong disease that keeps your body from using insulin the way it should.

People who are middle-aged or older are most likely to get this kind of diabetes. It used to be called adult-onset diabetes or diabetes mellitus. But type 2 diabetes also affects kids and teens, mainly because of childhood obesity.

Type 2 is the most common form of diabetes. About 1 in 10 people in the U.S. have type 2. Nearly 1 in 3 have prediabetes, meaning their blood sugar (or blood glucose) is high but not high enough to be diabetes yet.

The symptoms of type 2 diabetes can be so mild that you don’t notice them. About 9 million people have it and don’t know it. Symptoms include:

  • Being very thirsty
  • Peeing a lot
  • Blurry vision
  • Tingling or numbness in your hands or feet
  • Fatigue/feeling worn out
  • Wounds that don’t heal
  • Yeast infections that keep coming back
  • Feeling hungry
  • Weight loss without trying
  • Getting infections

If you have dark rashes around your neck or armpits, see your doctor. These are called acanthosis nigricans, and they can be signs that your body is becoming resistant to insulin.

Learn more about type 2 diabetes symptoms .

There are three main types of diabetes:

Type 2 diabetes

About 90%-95% of all people with diabetes have this type. With type 2, your pancreas makes some insulin — the hormone that helps your cells turn glucose (a type of sugar) from the food you eat into energy. In some people, your cells don’t respond to this hormone as they should (a condition called insulin resistance).

Type 1 diabetes

In type 1, your immune system attacks and destroys the cells in your pancreas that make insulin, leading to high blood sugar. Doctors aren’t sure why this happens. Type 1 isn’t related to weight or lifestyle habits. It used to be called insulin-dependent or childhood diabetes. 

Gestational diabetes

You only get this type of diabetes when you’re pregnant. It happens because hormonal changes and weight gain during pregnancy can lead to insulin resistance. It usually goes away after you have your baby.

Usually, a combination of things causes type 2 diabetes. They might include:

  • Genes. Scientists have found different bits of DNA that affect how your body makes insulin.
  • Weight. Having extra weight or obesity can cause insulin resistance.
  • Metabolic syndrome. People with insulin resistance often have a group of conditions including high blood sugar, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol and triglycerides.
  • Too much glucose from your liver. When your blood sugar is low, your liver makes and sends out glucose. After you eat, your blood sugar goes up, and your liver usually slows down and stores its glucose for later. But some people’s livers don’t. They keep making sugar.
  • Bad communication between cells. Sometimes, cells send the wrong signals or don’t pick up messages correctly. When these problems affect how your cells make and use insulin or glucose, this can lead to diabetes.
  • Broken beta cells. If the cells that make insulin send it out at the wrong time, your blood sugar gets thrown off. High blood sugar can damage these cells, too.

Certain things make it more likely that you’ll get type 2 diabetes. The more of these that apply to you, the higher your chances of getting it are. Some things are related to who you are:

  • Age. 45 or older
  • Family. A parent, sister, or brother with diabetes
  • Ethnicity. African American, Alaska Native, Native American, Asian American, Hispanic or Latino, or Pacific Islander American

Risk factors related to your medical history and health include:

  • Insulin resistance
  • Prediabetes
  • Heart and blood vessel disease
  • High blood pressure, even if it’s treated and under control
  • Low HDL (“good”) cholesterol
  • High triglycerides
  • Being overweight or having obesity
  • Having a baby who weighed more than 9 pounds
  • Gestational diabetes while you were pregnant
  • Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
  • Depression

Other things that raise your risk of diabetes have to do with your daily habits and lifestyle. These are the ones you can do something about:

  • Getting little or no exercise
  • Smoking
  • Stress
  • Sleeping too little or too much

Type 2 diabetes epidemiology

Some 462 million people worldwide, or about 6.3% of the population, have type 2 diabetes. It’s the ninth leading cause of death, responsible for more than 1 million deaths each year. Cases of type 2 diabetes are increasing faster in developed countries like the U.S. and Western Europe.

Scientists say type 2 diabetes affects men and women at about the same rate.

It’s more common in people in middle age and older, affecting:

  • 4.4% of those ages 15-49
  • 15% of those ages 50-69
  • 22% of those 70 and older 

It’s also more common in people of color, including those whose heritage is:

  • Black
  • Hispanic
  • Native American
  • Asian 

Your doctor can test your blood for signs of type 2 diabetes. Usually, they’ll test you on 2 different days to confirm the diagnosis. But if your blood glucose is very high or you have many symptoms, one test may be all you need.

Blood tests for type 2 diabetes include:

  • A1c. It’s an average percent of your blood glucose over the past 2 or 3 months.
  • Fasting plasma glucose. This is also known as a fasting blood sugar test. It measures your blood sugar on an empty stomach. You won’t be able to eat or drink anything except water for 8 hours before the test.
  • Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). This checks your blood glucose before and 2 hours after you drink something sweet to see how your body handles the sugar.

Learn more about how type 2 diabetes is diagnosed.
 

Researchers have defined four stages of type 2 diabetes: 

Insulin resistance

In this stage, your body usually makes enough insulin to keep blood sugar levels in the normal range. But if your cells “resist” the insulin (don’t use it correctly), your body will make more insulin to try to help the glucose get into them. Insulin resistance can be temporary, but it can also last. There’s no test to detect insulin resistance, so it can be hard to diagnose.

Prediabetes

Eventually, insulin resistance causes glucose to build up in your blood. You have prediabetes when your blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to be considered diabetes. An A1c between 5.7% and 6.4% means you have prediabetes. You may not have any symptoms. But prediabetes ups your risk for heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. 

Type 2 diabetes

If your A1c is 6.5% or higher, you have diabetes. You may have symptoms like increased thirst, blurred vision, and numbness in feet or hands. Or you may not have any symptoms at all. 

Type 2 diabetes with vascular complications

At this stage, your diabetes has led to vascular (blood vessel) problems. You may have damage to vessels in your eyes (retinopathy), kidneys (nephropathy), and certain nerves (neuropathy). You might also develop heart disease, stroke, or circulation issues.

Managing type 2 diabetes includes a mix of lifestyle changes and medication.

Lifestyle changes

You may be able to reach your target blood sugar levels with diet and exercise alone.

  • Weight loss. Dropping extra pounds can help. While losing 5% of your body weight is good, losing at least 7% and keeping it off seems to be ideal. That means someone who weighs 180 pounds can change their blood sugar levels by losing around 13 pounds. Weight loss can seem overwhelming, but portion control and eating healthy foods are a good place to start.
  • Healthy eating. There’s no specific diet for type 2 diabetes. A registered dietitian can teach you about carbs and help you make a meal plan you can stick with. Focus on:
    • Eating fewer calories
    • Cutting back on refined carbs, especially sweets
    • Adding veggies and fruits to your diet
    • Getting more fiber
  • Exercise. Try to get 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity every day. You can walk, bike, swim, or do anything else that gets your heart rate up. Pair that with strength training, like yoga or weightlifting. If you take a medication that lowers your blood sugar, you might need a snack before a workout.
  • Watch your blood sugar levels. Depending on your treatment, especially if you’re on insulin, your doctor will tell you if you need to test your blood sugar levels and how often to do it.

Medication

If lifestyle changes don’t get you to your target blood sugar levels, you may need medication. Some of the most common for type 2 diabetes include:

  • Metformin (Fortamet, Glucophage, Glumetza, Riomet). This is usually the first medication used to treat type 2 diabetes. It lowers the amount of glucose your liver makes and helps your body respond better to the insulin it does make.
  • Sulfonylureas. This group of drugs helps your body make more insulin. They include glimepiride (Amaryl), glipizide (Glucotrol), and glyburide (DiaBeta, Micronase).
  • Meglitinides. They help your body make more insulin, and they work faster than sulfonylureas. You might take nateglinide (Starlix) or repaglinide (Prandin).
  • Thiazolidinediones. Like metformin, they make you more sensitive to insulin. You could get pioglitazone (Actos) or rosiglitazone (Avandia). But they also raise your risk of heart problems, so they aren’t usually a first choice for treatment.
  • DPP-4 inhibitors. These medications — linagliptin (Tradjenta), saxagliptin (Onglyza), and sitagliptin (Januvia) — help lower your blood sugar levels, but they can also cause joint pain and could inflame your pancreas. They work by blocking DPP-4, which is an enzyme that affects the hormone incretin.
  • GLP-1 receptor agonists. You take these medications with a needle to slow digestion and lower blood sugar levels. Some of the most common ones are exenatide (Byetta, Bydureon), liraglutide (Victoza), and semaglutide (Ozempic).
  • SGLT2 inhibitors. These help your kidneys filter out more glucose. You might get bexagliflozin (Brenzavvy), canagliflozin (Invokana), dapagliflozin (Farxiga), or empagliflozin (Jardiance). Empagliflozin has also proven effective in reducing the risk of hospitalization or death from heart failure.
  • GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist.  Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) is the first in its class and activates both the GLP-1 and GIP receptors, which leads to improved blood sugar control.
  • Insulin. You might take long-lasting shots at night, such as insulin detemir (Levemir) or insulin glargine (Lantus).

Even if you change your lifestyle and take your medicine as directed, your blood sugar may still get worse over time. That doesn’t mean you’ve done something wrong. Diabetes is progressive, and many people eventually need more than one drug.

When you take more than one drug to control your type 2 diabetes, that’s called combination therapy. You and your doctor should work together to find the best mix for you. 

Some drugs control blood sugar spikes (your doctor may call this hyperglycemia) that come right after meals, for instance. Others are more effective at stopping drops in blood sugar (hypoglycemia) between meals. Some may help with weight loss or cholesterol, as well as your diabetes.

You and your doctor should talk about any possible side effects. Cost may be an issue as well.

If you take medication for something else, that will need to be factored into any decision.

You’ll need to see your doctor more often when you start taking a new combination of drugs.

You might find that adding a second drug doesn’t bring your blood sugar under control. Or the combination of two drugs might work only for a short time. If that happens, your doctor might consider a third non-insulin drug, or you may start insulin therapy.

Surgeries for type 2 diabetes

Weight loss surgery can effectively treat type 2 diabetes by helping you to lose weight. These procedures limit how much food you can eat or how many nutrients your body can take in. You’ll need to commit to long-term healthy lifestyle changes to get full benefits of this type of surgery. 

Several types are available. Talk to your doctor about whether weight loss surgery is right for you. 

Alternative treatments for type 2 diabetes

There’s not much scientific evidence that any alternative treatment can you help manage your blood sugar.  Research into dietary supplements has found that:

  • Chromium has little benefit and can be harmful in large doses.
  • Cinnamon might lower fasting blood sugar levels, but doesn’t affect A1c. 
  • Magnesium has mixed results in studies, may cause side effects, and can be dangerous at large does.  

Some research has found that mind-body practices like yoga and meditation might help with blood sugar control when used along with diabetes drugs. That may be because of their stress-relief benefits.  

 Always talk to your doctor before trying any alternative treatment. These treatments can’t take the place of diabetes medications. 

Some populations are more likely to get type 2 diabetes. Latino (12%), Black (12%), and Asian (10%) people have higher rates of diabetes than white people (7%). American Indians get it at about twice the rate as white people (14.5%). Members of racial and ethnic minority groups with type 2 are also likely to have worse health outcomes.

Yet research shows that members of minority groups are less likely to use newer diabetes medications, regardless of their income or whether they have health insurance. And no matter what their ethnicity, people with lower incomes were less likely to take these medications. Across all races and ethnicities with diabetes, about 15% live in poverty, 19% have difficulties accessing food, and 51% have low-quality diets.

Also, Black, Latino, and Native American people are less likely to be included in clinical studies to try new diabetes drugs.

Over time, high blood sugar can damage and cause problems with your:

  • Heart and blood vessels. You’re up to twice as likely to get heart disease or have a stroke , and at a younger age. You’re also at high risk of blocked blood vessels (atherosclerosis) and chest pain (angina).
  • Kidneys. If your kidneys are damaged or you have kidney failure, you could need dialysis or a kidney replacement.
  • Eyes. High blood sugar can damage the tiny blood vessels in the backs of your eyes. If this isn’t treated, it can cause blindness.
  • Nerves. This can lead to trouble with digestion, the feeling in your feet, and your sexual response.
  • Skin. Your blood doesn’t circulate as well, so wounds heal slower and can become infected.
  • Pregnancy. Parents with diabetes are more likely to have a miscarriage, a stillbirth, or a baby with a birth defect.
  • Sleep. You might develop sleep apnea, a condition in which your breathing stops and starts while you sleep.
  • Hearing. You’re more likely to have hearing problems, but it’s not clear why.
  • Brain. High blood sugar can damage your brain and might put you at higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
  • Depression. People with the disease are twice as likely to get depressed as people who don’t have it.

The best way to avoid these complications is to manage your type 2 diabetes well.

  • Take your diabetes medications or insulin on time.
  • Check your blood sugar.
  • Eat right, and don’t skip meals.
  • See your doctor regularly to check for early signs of trouble.

Managing diabetes is complicated. You’ll need to adopt healthy lifestyle habits, check your blood sugar regularly, and keep up with doctor visits and treatments. But your efforts can have a big impact on your health and your quality of life.  

Type 2 diabetes diet

A dietitian can help you create a personalized meal plan that takes your needs and preferences into account. A healthy diabetes diet should focus on:

  • Limiting highly processed foods
  • Reducing added sugars and low-fiber refined grains like white bread
  • Boosting your intake of non-starchy vegetables like broccoli and green beans

Type 2 diabetes costs

On average, people diagnosed with diabetes spend about 2.3 times more on medical care than those who don’t have the condition. Their medical expenses average about $16,750 a year, $9,600 of which is due directly to diabetes. 

These expenses include doctor visits, hospitalizations, and medication. You may have other costs as well, such as lost time and less productivity at work.

Managing type 2 diabetes

Managing your type 2 diabetes well helps you avoid complications and feel your best. Along with a healthy diet, regular exercise, and medication as prescribed:

  • Keep your blood pressure and cholesterol levels in the healthy range. High levels of either could raise your risk of diabetes complications.
  • Get regular eye exams, dentist visits, and physicals.
  • Check your feet daily for sores, redness, or swelling and let your doctor know if you notice any issues. 
  • Get at least 7 hours of good-quality sleep each night, as sleep loss interferes with blood sugar control. Ask your doctor for help if you have a hard time sleeping.
  • Be careful with alcohol. Limit alcoholic drinks to 1-2 drinks a day, depending on your size and gender. If you do drink alcohol, check your blood sugar afterward.   
  • Work with your doctor to come up with a sick day plan. Even a minor illness can interfere with your blood sugar and insulin levels. You may need to adjust your medications or check your blood sugar more often.

Type 2 diabetes and mental health

A long-term health condition can take a toll on your mental health. People with diabetes are more than twice as likely to have depression, and 20% more likely to have anxiety, than those without the condition. Many don’t get diagnosed or treated, even though therapy, medication, or a combination can work very well.

Many people with diabetes sometimes get overwhelmed by the pressures of trying to manage the condition. This is called diabetes distress, and it can lead to you to neglect your health. A support group or counseling could help you overcome it. 

If you’re worried about your emotional health, ask your doctor to recommend a mental health professional.

The long-term outlook for people with type 2 varies, depending on how effectively they manage the condition. At age 50, the average life expectancy (LE) for those with type 2 is 6 years shorter than those without the condition. But proper care and treatment can help you improve those odds. 

Can type 2 diabetes be cured?

There’s no cure for type 2. You may be able to get your blood sugar under control by losing weight and making healthy lifestyle changes, and might even be able to stop taking diabetes medications. But this isn’t the case for everyone. 

What to expect with type 2 diabetes

Type 2 is a serious condition that calls for a lifelong commitment to managing it. Over the long term, high blood sugar can lead to heart, vision, and kidney problems. But you can take steps to avoid these complications and extend your life. Several studies show that:

  • Reducing your A1c levels from 10% to under 8% can increase life expectancy by almost 3.5 years.
  • Quitting smoking can increase LE in women over 50 by almost a year, and by almost 2 years in men over 70.
  • Lowering LDL (“bad”) cholesterol can improve LE by almost a year.

All these things also reduce your risk of developing other diseases.

 

Adopting a healthy lifestyle can help you lower your risk of diabetes :

  • Lose weight. Dropping just 7% to 10% of your weight can cut your risk of type 2 diabetes in half.
  • Get active. 30 minutes of brisk walking a day will cut your risk by almost a third.
  • Eat right. Avoid highly processed carbs, sugary drinks, and trans and saturated fats. Limit red and processed meats.
  • Quit smoking. Work with your doctor to keep from gaining weight after you quit, so you don’t create one problem by solving another.

Type 2 diabetes is a serious condition that requires lifelong management. Weight loss, a healthy lifestyle, and medications, if needed, can help you keep it under control. They can also help you live a longer, healthier life. 

Do you have prediabetes or type 2 diabetes? Test

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Diabetes is a global problem that has only grown over the years. According to official data, 371 million people suffer from this disease in the world, which is 7 percent of the total population of the Earth.

According to the incidence rate, Russia’s indicators are among the top five countries in the world. In general, the level came close to the epidemiological threshold.

As you know, diabetes can develop insidiously over many years without causing any symptoms. About 50 percent of the world’s inhabitants do not even suspect that they may have this diagnosis.

In order to assess your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, a special questionnaire has been developed.

Instructions for using the questionnaire:

  • Answer all 8 questions of the questionnaire.
  • For each question, choose 1 correct answer and mark it in the appropriate box.
  • Add up all the points corresponding to your answers to the questions.

o Use your total score to determine your risk of developing diabetes or prediabetes.

1. Your age:

  • Under 45 – 0 points
  • 45–54 years old – 2 points
  • 55-64 years – 3 points
  • Over 65 – 4 points

2. Body mass index (weight___, kg: (height___, m)² = ____ kg/m²):

  • Less than 25 kg/m² – 0 points
  • 25-30 kg/m² – 1 point
  • Over 30 kg/m² – 3 points

3. Waist circumference (measured at the level of the navel):
Men: Women :

  • Less than 94 cm – 0 points
  • 94-102 cm 80-88 cm – 3 points
  • Over 102 cm Over 88 cm – 4 points

4. How often do you eat vegetables, fruits or berries?

  • Every day – 0 points
  • Not every day – 1 point

5. Do you exercise regularly (30 minutes every day or 3 hours a week)?

  • Yes – 0 points
  • No – 2 points

6. Have you ever taken regular medication to lower your blood pressure?

  • No – 0 points
  • Yes – 2 points

7. Have you ever had a higher than normal blood glucose (sugar) level (during medical examination, medical examination, during illness or pregnancy)?

  • No – 0 points
  • Yes – 5 points

8. Did your relatives have type 1 or type 2 diabetes?

  • No – 0 points
  • Yes: grandparents, aunts/uncles, cousins ​​3 points
  • Yes: parents, sibling or own child – 5 points


 Results:

The score is _____.

• If you scored less than 12 points – you are in good health and should continue to lead a healthy lifestyle.

• If you scored 12-14 points , you may have prediabetes. You should consult with your doctor about how you should change your lifestyle.

• If you scored 15-20 points , you may have prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. You might want to check your blood glucose (sugar) levels. You need to change your lifestyle. You may also need medication to lower your blood glucose (sugar) levels.

• If you scored more than 20 points , you most likely have type 2 diabetes. You should check the level of glucose (sugar) in the blood and try to normalize it. You will need to change your lifestyle and will also need medication to control your blood glucose (sugar) levels.

Endocrinologist at the LOTOS Medical Center Belashkina Elena Borisovna

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Diabetes mellitus – essence, causes, symptoms, signs, types, risk group, complications, diagnosis, treatment, prevention

What is diabetes

Diagnosis

Types of diabetes

Risk group

Complications of diabetes

Can we cure diabetes

Should he be treated

Glucose testing

Diabetes prevention

Diabetes… Many people have heard this word and know that “this disease has something to do with sugar. ” Some people are afraid of getting sick, others don’t care.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes mellitus is a group of endocrine diseases that develop as a result of a deficiency of the hormone insulin, resulting in hyperglycemia – a persistent increase in blood glucose.

The disease is characterized by a chronic course and a violation of all types of metabolism: carbohydrate, fat, protein, mineral and water-salt. There are 2 types, each of which requires a separate approach.

How do I know if I have diabetes?

Naturally, the most accurate diagnostic methods are various blood and urine tests. It is not enough to measure the sugar level once, therefore, if there is suspicion, the doctor will definitely prescribe a series of tests for the patient to undergo.

What can cause such suspicions? The main symptoms are:

  • Increased urine output caused by an increase in urine pressure due to glucose dissolved in it (normally, there is no glucose in the urine). It is manifested by frequent profuse urination, including at night.

  • Constant unquenchable thirst – due to significant loss of water in the urine and an increase in the osmotic pressure of the blood.

  • Constant insatiable hunger. This symptom is caused by a metabolic disorder in diabetes, namely the inability of cells to absorb and process glucose in the absence of insulin (starvation in abundance).

  • Weight loss (especially characteristic of type 1 diabetes) is a common symptom of diabetes that develops despite an increased appetite of patients.

Therefore, if you find these symptoms, consult a doctor immediately!

What are the types of diabetes?

There are a number of classifications of diabetes mellitus according to various criteria. The main types of diabetes include type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus is a disease in which the pancreas is unable to produce insulin, which is responsible for the absorption of sugar by the body, the so-called insulin-dependent type. It is usually diagnosed in people under 30 years of age. Such patients are forced to receive insulin artificially (by constant injections).

Type 2 diabetes accounts for 85-90% of all cases of diabetes in the adult population and is most common in people over 40 years of age; usually accompanied by obesity. It is especially important for such patients, as well as people who have a family member with diabetes, to control their blood sugar levels.

The situation is complicated by the fact that, unlike type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes develops gradually. You can be sick for a long time and not even know about it. Often a person learns about his illness by accident, during examination for a completely different reason.

Is there a risk group?

Yes, of course she is. Type 1 diabetes is most often inherited. The risk also increases with inflammation of the tissues of the pancreas, after injuries and infections.

People at risk of developing type 2 diabetes are those whose parents were obese and/or type 2 diabetes.

How do you know if you are at risk for diabetes? It is necessary to measure the waist circumference and hip circumference, divide the first figure by the second. If the resulting value is greater than 0.95 for men and 0.85 for women, then you are at risk.

What are the complications of diabetes?

The main cause of chronic complications in diabetes is damage to small blood vessels and the peripheral nervous system. The walls of blood vessels and nerves suffer from excess sugar in the blood; Penetrating into them, glucose is converted into substances that are toxic to these tissues. As a result, changes occur that disrupt the normal functioning of the organ, in which there are many small vessels and nerve endings. If the patient keeps blood sugar within acceptable limits (6.7-8.0 mmol / l), then late diabetic complications do not occur.

The negative impact of diabetes affects some organs more and less affects others, for example:

  • Eyes – the retina is affected, diabetes can cause cataracts (clouding of the lens) and blindness (changes in the retina).
  • Teeth – all diseases in the oral cavity develop at an accelerated pace due to a lack of blood supply. It is not uncommon for diabetes to be detected in the dentist’s office, where the patient comes with complaints of swollen gums and loose teeth.
  • Heart – affected by diabetes; the heart muscle changes, changes in the vessels due to high cholesterol lead to coronary disease.
  • Liver – in case of poor compensation of diabetes, its normal functioning is disrupted, the liver enlarges.
  • The kidneys are directly affected by diabetes, resulting in diabetic nephropathy.
  • Reproductive system. Diabetes in men leads to impotence, in women miscarriages, premature births, intrauterine fetal death are possible.
  • The process of pregnancy and childbirth in diabetic women is highly complicated. Pregnant women with diabetes need the obligatory supervision of two specialists – an endocrinologist and an obstetrician.
  • Legs and feet – suffer from diabetes due to damage to blood vessels and nerves. A possible result is trophic ulcers, gangrene, loss of limbs. In addition, the feet and nails are prone to fungal diseases.
  • Joints, to a greater extent than in a healthy person, are subject to such processes as the deposition of salts; in addition, diabetic changes in the joints are possible.
  • The circulatory system is directly affected by diabetes, which in turn initiates all of the above diseases. Blood pressure in diabetics is usually elevated. Note that an additional factor that stimulates damage to blood vessels in diabetes is smoking.

Therefore, it is important to understand that only by taking diabetes under control, successfully compensating for it, you can live a full life. In Russia, as well as around the world, many people not only live with diabetes, but also achieve outstanding success: conquer mountain peaks, lead large organizations.

And don’t despair if you hear such a diagnosis – everything is in your hands!

Can diabetes be cured?

Unfortunately, scientists have not yet invented a remedy that can completely cure a diabetic patient. Currently, its treatment in most cases is symptomatic and is aimed at eliminating the symptoms without eliminating the cause of the disease.

Patient education plays a very important role in managing diabetes. The patient must understand what diabetes is, why it is dangerous, what he should do in cases of sudden changes in blood sugar levels, how to avoid them, be able to independently control blood glucose levels and have a clear understanding of proper nutrition.

Should diabetes be treated?

Undoubtedly! It is important to understand that this disease will not go away on its own. The most important goal in the treatment of diabetes is the constant control of blood sugar levels and maintaining it at the level recommended by the doctor.

If a person with diabetes approaches this issue responsibly, his well-being will be the same as that of a healthy person. Moreover, further prognosis in terms of complications, duration and quality of life will be favorable.

Is it difficult to control blood glucose levels?

In today’s world, this is no longer a problem. If earlier blood sugar could only be measured in the laboratory, now it is very easy to do it at home. To measure glucose, there are high-precision devices – glucometers. They are compact, very easy to use and designed specifically for self-measurement of glucose levels. If necessary, you can find out the sugar level at home, at work, while traveling, etc.

The whole process takes just a few seconds and requires only one drop of blood. The test strip draws in the drop and the result appears on the screen.

Diabetes Prevention

It must be remembered that the best way to protect yourself is constant prevention, which you can do yourself:

  • Active lifestyle and weight control. Diabetes is directly related to obesity. Physical activity lowers blood sugar and reduces the need for insulin.
  • Proper nutrition. The use of foods high in dietary fiber, which normalizes bowel function and lowers cholesterol levels. These foods include all fruits and vegetables, legumes, dairy products, nuts and others.
  • Refrain from excessive consumption of flour products, sweets, pasta and baked goods. Eat bread made from whole grains only.
  • Avoid stress and don’t smoke. One of the causes of diabetes is stress and anxiety. Stress and smoking reduce the body’s resistance to diabetes.
  • Monitor your blood glucose continuously if you are over 40 years of age. It is also necessary to take a sugar test for those who are prone to obesity, lead a sedentary lifestyle.

The author of the article:

Abakumova Maria Evgenievna

endocrinologist

work experience 16 years

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