Diabetes Type 2
At Diamedics, our approach addresses the primary cause of Diabetes Type 2.
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Understanding Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that affects the way your body processes blood sugar (glucose). Unlike Type 1 diabetes, where the body does not produce insulin, individuals with Type 2 diabetes either resist the effects of insulin or do not produce enough insulin to maintain normal glucose levels. Insulin is a hormone that regulates the movement of sugar into your cells, which use it as energy.
Key Facts
- Insulin Resistance: The body’s cells do not respond properly to insulin, leading to elevated blood sugar levels.
- Most Common Form of Diabetes: Type 2 diabetes accounts for the majority of diabetes cases.
- Develops Over Time: Often diagnosed in adults, but increasingly found in children and adolescents due to rising obesity rates.
- Manageable Condition: Can be managed with lifestyle changes, medication, and in some cases, insulin therapy.
Causes
- Genetic Factors: Family history of diabetes can increase the risk.
- Lifestyle Factors: Poor diet, lack of physical activity, and being overweight or obese contribute to the development of Type 2 diabetes.
- Environmental Factors: Certain factors like stress and lack of sleep can also play a role.
Recognizing Symptoms and Identifying Risk Factors of Type 2 Diabetes
Symptoms
- Increased Thirst and Frequent Urination: High blood sugar levels cause excess sugar to build up in your bloodstream, which pulls fluid from tissues.
- Increased Hunger: Without enough insulin to move sugar into your cells, your muscles and organs become depleted of energy, triggering hunger.
- Unintended Weight Loss: Despite eating more, you may lose weight because the body starts using fat and muscle for energy.
- Fatigue: When cells are deprived of sugar, you may become tired and weak.
- Blurred Vision: High blood sugar can pull fluid from the lenses of your eyes, affecting your vision.
- Slow-Healing Sores or Frequent Infections: Type 2 diabetes impacts your body’s ability to heal and fight infections.
- Areas of Darkened Skin: Dark, velvety patches in the folds and creases of your body, usually in the neck and armpits, can indicate insulin resistance.
Risk Factors
- Overweight or Obesity
- Physical Inactivity
- Family History of Diabetes
- Age (45 and older)
- Ethnicity (higher risk among African American, Hispanic, Native American, Asian American, and Pacific Islander populations)
- High Blood Pressure
- Abnormal Cholesterol and Triglyceride Levels
- History of Gestational Diabetes or Giving Birth to a Baby Weighing Over 9 Pounds
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Diagnosis
Blood Tests:
- Fasting Blood Sugar Test
- Glycated Hemoglobin (A1C) Test
- Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT)
- Random Blood Sugar Test
Prevention
- Maintain a Healthy Weight: Aim for a BMI within the healthy range.
- Regular Physical Activity: Engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity per week.
- Healthy Diet: Focus on whole grains, lean proteins, healthy fats, and plenty of fruits and vegetables.
- Regular Monitoring: Check blood sugar levels regularly if you are at risk.
- Avoid Smoking: Smoking increases the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
- Limit Alcohol: Excessive alcohol intake can lead to weight gain and increase the risk of diabetes.
First of its kind outpatient treatment centers solely focused on diabetic wellness using the latest technologies and medical breakthroughs to help individuals suffering with diabetes get back to living life to the fullest.