Type 2 Diabetes: Stay Informed

Given that 27 million Americans have been diagnosed with diabetes, the condition is well known by the general population, but very few people truly understand why and how diabetes impacts the body. You may have a family member or friend with diabetes, or you may even be concerned about your own blood sugar health, but without understanding the inner workings of diabetes it can be difficult to seek treatment.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is often a life-long disease that changes the way your body can handle glucose in your blood. Glucose is a type of sugar required for survival as an energy source. Common symptoms include frequent urination, feeling very thirsty and hungry, extreme fatigue, and tingling, pain, or numbness in the hands and feet. Though diabetes does cause certain lifestyle changes, it’s completely manageable when appropriately detected and treated.

What Causes Diabetes?

Diabetes is rooted in a body processing malfunction. Normally, your pancreas makes a hormone called insulin that converts glucose into energy. People with type 2 diabetes can’t utilize insulin as well as the body needs, which is called insulin resistance. The pancreas senses the problem, generates more insulin to try and resolve the issue, but that attempt doesn’t work and eventually the glucose sugars build up in your blood instead of being transformed into energy.

What causes this malfunction? It can be a host of issues. Genes and extra weight are common culprits. People with the perfect storm of issues including high cholesterol, high blood pressure, triglycerides, and extra fat are at a much higher risk that their healthier peers.

How Can You Prevent Diabetes?

The simple answer is to just make healthier choices, even if they are small choices over time, like drinking less soda each day. Stop smoking, add more physical movement into your day, drop a few pounds, and try to be more mindful of what you eat. The less reason you give your body to malfunction, the better your chances are of avoiding this disease.

What If You Think You Have Diabetes?

Do exactly what you would do for any other illness: head to the doctor. Ignoring diabetes only takes a toll on the body over time. Your eyes, kidneys, heart and blood vessels, and even nerves can suffer the consequences. Head to your doctor to handle the problem before it becomes any worse. Living with diabetes is far from a death sentence. It simply requires a few adjustments each day and a bit more determination to take care of yourself.