Type 2 Diabetes

Symptoms

• Increased Thirst and Frequent Urination: Excess sugar in your bloodstream pulls fluid from tissues, making you thirsty and leading to increased urination.
• Increased Hunger: Insufficient insulin causes muscle and organ energy depletion, triggering intense hunger.
• Fatigue: High blood sugar impairs your body's ability to use glucose for energy, causing tiredness.
• Blurred Vision: High blood sugar can cause eye lens swelling, leading to blurred vision.
• Slow-Healing Sores or Frequent Infections: Type 2 diabetes affects your body's ability to heal and fight infections.
• Darkened Skin Areas: Some people develop patches of dark, velvety skin in body folds and creases, indicating insulin resistance.

Causes and Risk Factors

• Genetics: Family history plays a significant role. If a parent or sibling has diabetes, your risk is higher.
• Weight: Being overweight is a primary risk factor. More fatty tissue, especially abdominal fat, increases insulin resistance.
• Inactivity: Lack of physical activity contributes to weight gain and insulin resistance. Exercise helps control weight, uses glucose, and increases insulin sensitivity.
• Age: The risk increases with age, especially after 45, due to decreased activity, muscle mass loss, and weight gain.
• Prediabetes: Elevated blood sugar levels not high enough for a diabetes diagnosis can progress to type 2 diabetes if untreated.
• Gestational Diabetes: Diabetes during pregnancy increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes later.

Diagnosis and Tests

• Glycated Hemoglobin (A1C) Test: Measures average blood sugar level for the past 2-3 months. An A1C level of 6.5% or higher indicates diabetes.
• Random Blood Sugar Test: A blood sample taken at any time. A random blood sugar level of 200 mg/dL or higher suggests diabetes.
• Fasting Blood Sugar Test: A blood sample taken after an overnight fast. A fasting blood sugar level of 126 mg/dL or higher on two separate tests indicates diabetes.
• Oral Glucose Tolerance Test: After fasting overnight, you drink a sugary solution, and blood sugar levels are tested over the next two hours. A level of 200 mg/dL or higher after two hours indicates diabetes.

Management and Treatment

• Healthy Eating: Focus on a balanced diet rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean proteins. Limit refined carbohydrates and sugary foods.
• Regular Exercise: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity per week. Activities like walking, biking, swimming, and strength training help control blood sugar levels.
• Weight Loss: Losing even a small amount of weight can significantly impact blood sugar levels. Work with your healthcare provider on a weight-loss plan.
• Monitoring Blood Sugar: Regularly check your blood sugar level to ensure it remains within your target range.
• Medication: If diet and exercise aren't enough, medication may be necessary. Common medications include Metformin, which lowers liver glucose production, and insulin therapy for advanced cases.

Complications

• Cardiovascular Disease: Increases the risk of coronary artery disease, heart attack, stroke, and atherosclerosis.
• Nerve Damage (Neuropathy): Excess sugar can damage nerve-nourishing blood vessels, especially in the legs, causing pain, tingling, and numbness.
• Kidney Damage (Nephropathy): Can damage kidney filtering systems, leading to kidney failure or end-stage kidney disease.
• Eye Damage (Retinopathy): Can damage retinal blood vessels, potentially leading to blindness and increasing the risk of cataracts and glaucoma.
• Foot Damage: Nerve damage or poor blood flow increases the risk of foot complications. Untreated cuts and blisters can lead to serious infections.

Prevention