Type 2 Diabetes – What Is It All About?

Type 2 diabetes (sometimes referred to as adult onset diabetes) is now affecting  younger people, due principally to the modern, pre-packaged, over-refined foods in our daily diet.

Early detection is not easy and can go unnoticed for several years. It is estimated that 30% of sufferers are unaware they are affected.
This chronic condition reduces the ability of the body to convert food into energy, allowing blood sugar levels to rise.
This can increase the risk of heart disease, lead to impaired vision, and other serious complications, such as loss of lower limbs.

The Dietary Causes

Through the digestion process, carbohydrates are converted into sugars, including glucose, which is absorbed into the bloodstream. This stimulates the pancreas to release insulin which controls the blood sugar level and aids the use of sugar as energy. Any excess glucose is stored in the liver.

With modern production methods we are consuming more highly refined foodstuffs that are both high in sugars and quick to digest. This gives rise to a “sugar rush”, which in turn puts a higher demand on the pancreas to produce insulin. Over-driving the pancreas in this leads to reduction in insulin production in the longer term and type 2 diabetes being diagnosed.

What Are The Early Diabetes Signs?

Quite often the first signs of the onset of type2 diabetes are:

• Dry mouth and increased thirst.

• Increased need for urination.

• Increased appetite.

• Abnormal weight loss or weight gain.

Additional Symptoms

As blood sugar levels rise, additional symptoms may include:

• Fatigue.

• Frequent headaches.

• Loss of vision.

• Erectile dysfunction in men

Developing Type 2 Diabetes – The Likelihood

The chances of developing this disease depend on many factors, some are lifestyle related, others are outside your control.
The following factors are in your hands:

• Excess weight – BMI over 25.

• Smoking.

• High blood pressure (often diet and lifestyle related).

• High cholesterol, invariably diet related.

These factors are outside your control:

• Age increases the risk of developing the condition.

• Race – African Americans, Native Americans, Asians and Hispanic are at higher risk.

• Women who had gestational diabetes

Diabetes Prognosis

The long term effects of  untreated type 2 diabetes include:

• Atherosclerosis – hardening of the arteries and increased risk of heart attack and stroke.

• Blindness through diabetic retiopathy.

• Neuropathy – nerve damage resulting in numbness and loss of feeling to limbs.

• Loss of lower limbs through gangrene.

Type 2 Diabetes Prevention

Preventing type 2 diabetes is possible for many. Lifestyle change is the main factor and includes:

• Eating a healthy – low in saturated fats, reduced sugar, high fiber foods with a low glycemic index. Eat more fruit and vegetables.

• Increased daily exercise – minimum 30 minute brisk walk.

• Stop smoking

• Maintain a health weight (BMI below 25).

Living With Diabetes

If you are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes it can be managed, depending on severity by:

• Dietary change – eating whole grain, low glycemic foods.

• Increased exercise.

• Oral medication.

• Insulin injections or pump.

If you are over weight, over 45, smoke or have a family diabetic history ask your doctor for pre-diabetes check-up.

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