Type 2 diabetes could be one of the possible living nightmares. So many things occur in your body that originally you have no logical explanations for. And as often when things begin to change you will often hear the doctors say that “you are pre-type 2 diabetic”. When you hear this statement, immediately, one will start changing their lifestyle because it is often claimed that the major cause of type two diabetes is a lifestyle. The sad part about this, sometimes when you decide to turn your lifestyle around life differently, the symptoms just keep getting worse and worse.

 It is a misery living with high blood sugar. Suddenly over a short period, you can so many pounds and now you can no longer put on the clothes you like, it becomes so difficult for you to enjoy little and fun activities due to the excess belly fat. Even climbing stairs becomes a task and you have to catch your breath after every few steps. Not only will you have difficulties performing simple activities but also now you no longer have the freedom to eat the foods that you once enjoyed especially if you were a fan of fast and processed foods. This is because they contain sugars and just eating a normal amount can result in enormous weight gain. Additionally sleeping becomes an issue, and often type 2 diabetic patients report having bad dreams, or facing shortness of breath while in sleep and this can lead to snoring making it uncomfortable for people around you. Living with type 2 diabetes means living with a constant worry of the next shot, the next test result, maintaining and monitoring your sugar levels and all this can honestly cause a physical, psychological, and emotional toll on you and everybody else. Things become worse when type 2 diabetic patient begins to think that they are officially a burden to people surrounding them.

CAUSES OF TYPE 2 DIABETES

Our bodies are designed to carry out a lot of different metabolisms which in turn keep us, healthy living humans. However when something does not perform the function that has been set for it, automatically we do not expect normal functioning of the body. Everything that goes into your body has a metabolic reaction that helps it remain in your body for a specific period and in a specific amount.

Normally when we eat foods rich in sugar, (carbohydrates), enzymes digest it and the end product of every carb is glucose. The excess glucose after digestion then stimulates the pancreas to release a hormone known as insulin that converts the excess sugar into glucan and then it will be stored in the liver. When insulin is released, and it fails to convert excess glucose(sugar) into glucagon then the excess sugar goes back into the bloodstream, and this is when high sugar levels are noticed in the bloodstream and the excess of it ultimately leads to type 2 diabetes.

Therefore, main causes of type 2 diabetes are two connected issues:

• Insulin resistance develops in the liver, muscle, and fat cells. These cells don’t absorb enough sugar because insulin doesn’t interact with them normally.

Insulin resistance

Insulin resistance, a state in which muscle, liver, and fat cells do not utilize insulin properly, is typically the first sign of type 2 diabetes. Your body thus requires extra insulin to facilitate glucose uptake into cells. To meet the increased demand, the pancreas first produces more insulin. Blood glucose levels rise as a result of the pancreas’ inability to produce adequate insulin over time.

• A sufficient amount of insulin cannot be produced by the pancreas to control blood sugar levels.

Although the exact cause of this is uncertain, being overweight and being sedentary are major risk factors.

Similar to type 1 diabetes, having certain genes may increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. These racial/ethnic groups are more likely to experience the illness, which tends to run in families, Genes can also make someone more likely to develop type 2 diabetes by making them more likely to put on weight or become obese.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE PRE-DIABETIC?

Pre means before. Therefore, logically speaking, when an individual is pre-diabetic it means that this individual is displaying symptoms of TYPE 2 DIABETES but the symptoms have not matured yet and if necessary precautions and medications are followed this particular individual has a chance of avoiding TYPE 2 DIABETES.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF TYPE 2 DIABETES

Type 2 diabetes symptoms can appear gradually over several years and might be so minor that you might not even notice them. Type 2 diabetes affects many persons who exhibit no symptoms. Some people don’t realize they have the condition until they start experiencing diabetes-related health issues, such as hazy vision or heart issues.

• Insulin sensitivity
• Heightened thirst
• Increased thirst and hunger
• Unwanted loss of weight
• Fatigue
• Distorted vision
• Slowly heaving wounds
• Many infections
• Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet
• Areas of skin that have browned, typically around the neck and armpits

Type 2 diabetes risk factors include the following:

Obesity or being overweight is a major risk:

 A higher risk is indicated if you store fat mostly in your belly rather than your hips and thighs. If you are a male with a waist measurement above 40 inches or a woman with measurement over 35 inches, you have an increased chance of developing type 2 diabetes.

Inactivity:

Your risk increases the less active you are. Exercise aids in weight management burns glucose as fuel and increases insulin sensitivity in your cells.

Family background:

If your parent or sibling has type 2 diabetes, your chance of developing it also rises.

Prediabetes:

You have prediabetes when your blood sugar level is over normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. Prediabetes frequently develops into type 2 diabetes if left untreated.

dangers associated with pregnancy. If you had gestational diabetes while pregnant or had a baby that weighed more than 4 kilograms, your chance of getting type 2 diabetes is higher.

Syndrome of polycystic ovaries:

Diabetes is more likely in those with the polycystic ovarian syndrome, a prevalent disorder marked by irregular menstrual cycles, excessive hair growth, and obesity.

areas of skin that have darkened, typically around the neck and armpits. Insulin resistance is frequently indicated by this condition.

Ethnicity and race:

White individuals are less likely to get type 2 diabetes than persons of specific races and ethnicities, such as Black, Hispanic, Native American and Asian people, and Pacific Islanders.

Levels of blood lipids:

Low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, or the “good” cholesterol, and high levels of triglycerides are linked to an increased risk.

Age:

As you age, especially beyond the age of 45, your chance of developing type 2 diabetes increases.

Complications of TYPE 2 DIABETES

Numerous important organs, including your heart, blood arteries, nerves, eyes, and kidneys, are impacted by type 2 diabetes. Additionally, risk factors for diabetes also raise the chance of other significant chronic illnesses. Your risk for these consequences or concomitant illnesses can be decreased by managing your diabetes and blood sugar.

• Limbs with neuropathy, or damage to the nerves. Over time, high blood sugar can harm or kill nerves, causing tingling, numbness, burning, pain, or even ultimate loss of sensation. These symptoms often start at the ends of the toes or fingers and progressively move up the body.
• Apneic sleep. People with type 2 diabetes frequently experience obstructive sleep apnea. Both disorders may be mostly caused by obesity. It is unclear if treating sleep apnea leads to better blood sugar regulation.
• Dementia. The risk of dementia illnesses like Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia seems to be higher in those with type 2 diabetes. Memory loss and other cognitive impairments are connected to poorly managed blood sugar levels more quickly.
• Slow recovery cuts and blisters can develop into dangerous infections that may not heal properly if left untreated. Amputations of the toe, foot, or leg may be necessary for severe injuries.

DIAGNOSIS OF TYPE 2 DIABETES

Blood or urine testing for other purposes frequently leads to the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes.

However, if you experience any diabetes symptoms, you should consult a general practitioner right soon. You often need to go through the following stages to determine if you have type 2 diabetes: About your symptoms, consult a GP.

To evaluate your blood sugar levels, the doctor will examine your urine and schedule a blood test. The average turnaround time for results is one to two days. The diagnosis and recommended course of treatment will determine what the doctor will go over with you during your session.

In general, they’ll discuss with you:

High blood sugar is what diabetes is, and what it implies for your health—whether you need to take medication, change your diet and exercise routine, or give up certain habits like drinking and smoking.

TREATMENTS

The type 2 diabetic industry is gaining a lot of money and frankly speaking what is being addressed during the treatments is often the symptoms, because type 2 diabetes is incurable. However, a lot of recent studies concerning type 2 diabetes have shown that this type of diabetes can be reversed, and blood sugar levels can be controlled. In research at Harvard University, a bedtime ritual has proven to help some patients control their blood sugar levels and burn out all the excess pounds and ultimately lose all the unreasonable weight that has been gained over some time.

Medicines for diabetes

Your doctor may recommend insulin treatment or diabetic drugs that assist reduce insulin levels if you are unable to maintain your target blood sugar level with diet and exercise. The following are examples of type 2 diabetic medications.

• The first treatment for type 2 diabetes is often metformin (Fortamet, Glumetza, and other brands). It works by reducing the amount of glucose produced by the liver and enhancing insulin sensitivity to enhance insulin utilization. Some people may require supplements if they have a B-12 deficit. Other potential adverse effects include nausea, abdominal discomfort, and bloating, all of which may subside with time.
• Your body secretes more insulin when you use sulfonylureas. Glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase), glipizide (Glucotrol), and glimepiride are other examples (Amaryl). Loss of weight and low blood sugar are examples of potential adverse effects.

• The pancreas is induced to release more insulin by glidides. They work more quickly than sulfonylureas and have a shorter effect on the body. Repaglinide and Nateglinide are two examples. Additional adverse consequences include loss of weight with low blood sugar

• The body’s tissues become more responsive to insulin when given thiazolidinediones. Examples include pioglitazone and rosiglitazone (Avandia) (Actos). Potential negative consequences include Congestive heart failure risk, bladder cancer risk (pioglitazone)Bone fracture danger, High triglycerides (rosiglitazone), and gaining weight

SGLT2 inhibitors.

Your kidneys’ ability to filter blood is impacted because of this because it prevents glucose from being released back into the circulation. Consequently, glucose is eliminated through the urine. In patients with a high risk of developing certain illnesses, these medications may lower the risk of heart attack and stroke. Canagliflozin (Invokana), dapagliflozin (Farxiga), and empagliflozin are among examples (Jardiance). Risk of amputation and bone fracture are among the negative effects (canagliflozin), Vaginal yeast infections, urinary tract infections, gangrene risk, reduced blood pressure, and High triglycerides

Agonists of the GLP-1 receptor.

These injectable drugs reduce blood sugar levels by slowing digestion. They are frequently used in conjunction with weight loss, and some of them may lower the risk of heart attack and stroke. Examples include liraglutide and exenatide (Byetta, Bydureon) (Saxenda, Victoza)

Physical exercise

Exercise is crucial for shedding pounds or keeping a healthy weight. Additionally, it aids in controlling blood sugar levels. Before beginning or making changes to your exercise routine, consult your primary healthcare practitioner to be sure that the activities are suitable for you.

aerobic activity Pick an aerobic activity you love doing, like bicycling, jogging, swimming, or walking. everyday exercise

resistance training Your strength, balance, and capacity for daily tasks are all improved by resistance training. Yoga, calisthenics, and weightlifting are all forms of resistance training. Adults with type 2 diabetes should strive to complete two to three resistance exercise sessions per week. Sports, resistance training, and playground equipment climbing are a few examples of this.

Maintaining a blood sugar level

To make sure you stay within your goal range, your healthcare practitioner will give you recommendations on how frequently to check your blood sugar levels. Perhaps once a day, either before or after exercise, you should check it. If you use insulin, you might need to repeat this process several times daily.

A blood glucose meter, which detects the quantity of sugar in a drop of your blood at home, is often used for monitoring. To share with your medical staff, make a record of your measurements.

A sensor inserted under your skin is used by a continuous glucose monitoring device to record glucose levels every few minutes. Information transmission to a mobile device is possible.

Surgery to lose weight

Your digestive system’s structure and functionality are altered by weight-loss surgery. You might control type 2 diabetes, your weight, and other obesity-related diseases with the aid of this operation. There are several surgical methods, but they all work by reducing the amount of food you can consume. Additionally, certain operations restrict how much nutrition you may absorb. Surgery for weight loss is just one element of a comprehensive therapeutic strategy. Additionally, your treatment plan will include advice on your exercise routine, food, and nutritional supplements.

In general, persons with type 2 diabetes with a body mass index of 35 or above may be candidates for weight-loss surgery. Osteoporosis and dietary deficits are long-term adverse effects.

Using insulin

Certain type 2 diabetics require insulin treatment. Nowadays, if blood sugar objectives aren’t achieved with lifestyle modifications and other drugs, insulin treatment may be administered sooner rather than later. The time it takes to start working and how long it takes to have an impact vary across different forms of insulin. For instance, long-acting insulin is made to function all day or overnight to maintain stable blood sugar levels. During mealtimes, short-acting insulin may be used. What sort of insulin is best for you and when to take it will be decided by your doctor. Depending on how steady your blood sugar levels are, your insulin type, dose, and schedule may fluctuate. Most insulin varieties are administered through injection. High triglycerides, diabetic ketoacidosis, and low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) are possible side effects of insulin.

What Healthierfolks want to say?

The bad news is that there is no effective treatment for type 2 diabetes. The majority of medicines cost a lot, and they might be exhausting. They don’t treat the underlying problem, merely the symptoms. Giving up, on the other hand, should never be on a list of things to accomplish. To bring relief, everything that is possible should be done.

The most important thing for anyone who cohabitates with a type 2 diabetic is support. Give patients all the emotional, physical, and psychological assistance they require. Try your best not to give the patient the impression that they are a burden.