Understanding The Symptoms And Treatment Options For Type 2 Diabetes
by Mildred Dixon
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that can develop when there are high levels of sugar in your blood. This occurs due to insulin impairment. Insulin is a hormone produced in your pancreas, but when the pancreas doesn't produce enough or when insulin uptake is poor, the cells in your body will not absorb enough sugar from your bloodstream. High levels of blood sugar can contribute to you developing some serious health problems, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, nerve damage, kidney disease, eye disease and infections. Type 2 diabetes tends to develop in adults, but it can develop in children. Your risk of developing type 2 diabetes increases if you are overweight, inactive or have a family history of the condition.
Symptoms Of Type 2 Diabetes
When you first develop type 2 diabetes you may not have any symptoms, but symptoms will gradually develop. Common symptoms of type 2 diabetes include feeling thirsty frequently, an increase in your appetite, frequent urination, blurred vision and unexplained tiredness. You may also notice sores take a long time to heal and you may start picking up minor infections more frequently. Tingling or numbness in the hands and feet can also develop, and this can occur due to type 2 diabetes impairing the circulation to these parts of your body.
Treating Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes can be diagnosed with a blood test that your doctor can arrange for you to have at your health centre. Once diagnosed, your doctor will take your overall health into consideration when recommending a treatment approach. It may be possible to manage your diabetes with lifestyle changes, and you can be referred to a diabetic dietician clinic for support to alter your diet, lose weight and increase your activity levels. A dietician can also show you how to monitor the number of carbohydrates you eat, as this can help to stabilise your blood sugar levels.
When lifestyle changes are not sufficient, your doctor will recommend medication. There are a few types of medication for type 2 diabetes. You may be prescribed medication that lowers glucose production or medication that increases insulin production. Some medications will improve insulin sensitivity, while other types will aim to lower blood sugar levels by slowing down digestion. Insulin can also be prescribed to stabilise your blood sugar levels, and you will need to monitor your blood sugar closely to ensure you're not taking too much insulin.
Type 2 diabetes can be brought under control with the support of your doctor, and getting it under control can significantly reduce your risk of developing other health problems linked to high blood sugar levels. So, if you have symptoms associated with type 2 diabetes, speak to a doctor.
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About Me
Hello. My name is Diana and I am 65 years old. As the years have gone by, I have realised that I need to take better care of my body. As a young woman, I used to spend a lot of time hanging around bars, drinking too much and smoking too many cigarettes. When I finally married, I would sit around in the house all day and eat plates of food. I put on a lot of weight and started to experience a range of health problems. Thankfully, I eventually visited my local health care clinic and received the help I needed to become a healthy human being. I was so pleased with the treatment and I learnt so much that I decided to start a blog.
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