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Type 2 Diabetes

What is Type 2 Diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that affects the way your body metabolizes sugar (glucose). With type 2 diabetes, your body either resists the effects of insulin — a hormone that regulates the movement of sugar into your cells — or doesn't produce enough insulin to maintain normal glucose levels.

Symptoms

Common signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes include:

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01

Increased thirst and frequent urination

03

Fatigue

05

Slow-healing sores or frequent infections

02

Increased hunger

04

Blurred vision

06

Areas of darkened skin, usually in the armpits and neck

Causes and Risk Factors

While the exact cause of type 2 diabetes is unknown, factors that may contribute include:

01

Excess weight

02

Inactivity

03

Age (45 or older)

04

Family history

05

Race or ethnicity (Higher risk in African American, Hispanic, Native American, and Asian American people)

06

High blood pressure

07

Abnormal cholesterol and triglyceride levels

08

History of gestational diabetes

09

Prediabetes

10

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

11

Hormonal disorders like Cushing's syndrome

12

Certain medications (e.g., glucocorticoids, some antipsychotics)

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is typically made through blood tests:

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01

A1C test

03

Glucose tolerance test

05

Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)

02

Fasting blood sugar test

04

Random blood sugar test

Treatment

Management of type 2 diabetes includes:

Treatment

Lifestyle changes

  • Healthy eating (focus on low glycemic index foods, portion control)
  • Regular physical activity (both aerobic exercise and strength training)
  • Maintaining a healthy weight
  • Stress management
  • Adequate sleep

Monitoring blood sugar levels

  • Self-monitoring with glucose meters
  • Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems

Trim Your Toenails Carefully

  • Trim nails straight across and file the edges.
  • Avoid cutting nails too short to prevent ingrown toenails.

Medications (if necessary)

  • Metformin
  • Sulfonylureas
  • Thiazolidinediones
  • DPP-4 inhibitors
  • GLP-1 receptor agonists
  • GLT2 inhibitors
  • Insulin therapy
  • Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors
  • Bile acid sequestrants
  • Dopamine-2 agonists

Bariatric surgery (in some cases of severe obesity)


Regular medical check-ups and screenings


Complications

If left unmanaged, type 2 diabetes can lead to serious complications including:

02

Nerve damage (neuropathy)

03

Kidney damage (nephropathy)

04

Eye damage (retinopathy)

05

Foot damage

06

Skin conditions

07

Hearing impairment

08

Alzheimer disease

09

Sleep apnea

10

Fatty liver disease

11

Depression

12

Increased risk of certain cancers

Prevention

You can reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes by:

01

Maintaining a healthy weight

02

Eating a balanced diet

03

Exercising regularly (at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity a week)

04

Quitting smoking

05

Limiting alcohol consumption

06

Getting regular health screenings

07

Managing stress

08

Getting adequate sleep

Living with Type 2 Diabetes

You can reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes by:

01

Self-management education and support

02

Meal planning and carbohydrate counting

04

Eye exams

05

Dental check-ups

06

Vaccinations (flu, pneumonia, hepatitis B)

07

Managing other health conditions

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When to See a Doctor

If you notice any possible diabetes symptoms, contact your Doctor. The earlier the condition is diagnosed, the sooner treatment can begin.

Blog

Latest Blog Posts

Explore our blog for expert advice, practical tips, and inspiring stories to empower your journey towards better diabetes management and improved well-being.

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