• Type II diabetes is a chronic condition that affects millions worldwide and arises from the body’s resistance to insulin.
• It can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, nerve damage, kidney damage, eye damage, and tooth loss.
• To manage Type II diabetes effectively, medications, diet and exercise, and insulin therapy are some of the treatments doctors recommend.
• It is essential to understand what type II diabetes is and how it can affect your life to prevent serious complications, so getting regular check-ups with your doctor is important.
Diabetes is a medical condition that is spreading like wildfire in the world. In recent years, the number of individuals diagnosed with diabetes has been growing more and more. But do you know what diabetes is? Diabetes is a disease that affects the way the body uses glucose (sugar) in the blood. There are three main types of diabetes, and Type II diabetes is the most common. Here’s a better understanding of what type II diabetes is and how it can affect your life.
What is Type II Diabetes?
Type II diabetes is a chronic condition that affects millions worldwide. This type of diabetes usually develops over time as the body becomes resistant to insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas that controls blood sugar levels. When there is insulin resistance, the body’s cells cannot use glucose effectively, so the glucose stays in the blood, leading to high sugar levels. In the long run, high blood sugar levels can cause various complications, such as blindness, heart disease, kidney damage, and nerve damage. To prevent these complications, it is essential to manage type 2 diabetes effectively.
How Can it Affect Your Life?
Type II diabetes can affect your life in various ways. Here are some of those ways:
Increased Risk of Heart Disease and Stroke
Type-II diabetes can increase your risk of heart disease and stroke by two to four times. The high glucose levels in the blood can damage the arteries, making them more susceptible to plaque buildup. This can lead to atherosclerosis, which narrows the arteries and can cause heart attacks and strokes. To lower your risk of heart disease, it’s essential to exercise regularly, maintain a healthy weight, and eat a balanced diet.
Nerve Damage
Over time, Type II diabetes can damage your body’s nerves, especially your hands, and feet. This can lead to numbness, tingling, and even pain. It can also cause problems with digestion, incontinence, and sexual function. To prevent nerve damage, you must control your blood glucose levels and have regular check-ups with your doctor.
Kidney Damage
Type-II diabetes can damage the tiny blood vessels in your kidneys, reducing their ability to filter waste from your blood. This can lead to kidney disease and kidney failure if left untreated. To lower your risk of kidney disease, getting tested regularly and controlling your blood glucose levels through diet and medication is essential.
Eye Damage
High glucose levels in the blood can damage the tiny blood vessels in your eyes, leading to diabetic retinopathy. This condition can cause blurry vision, blindness, and even blindness. To prevent eye damage, getting regular eye check-ups and controlling your blood glucose levels through medication and diet is essential.
Tooth Loss
Lastly, Type II diabetes can cause tooth loss due to dry mouth and poor oral hygiene. Dry mouth reduces saliva production, which helps protect teeth from decay. Poor oral hygiene can lead to gum disease, leading to tooth loss. You must replace the tooth you’ve lost immediately, as gaps between your teeth can cause infections. You can contact a local teeth replacement service to help you. The service can provide natural-looking implants that can make your other teeth more resilient to further damage.
Treatments For Diabetes
Diabetes is a common disease in the country, and that’s why there are many treatment options for it. Here are some of those:
Medication
Medications like metformin, sulfonylureas, incretin mimetics, and others can help control blood sugar levels. Depending on your medication and other factors, your doctor may adjust the dose to meet your needs.
Diet and Exercise
Maintaining a balanced diet and exercising regularly can help lower your risk of diabetes-related complications and keep your blood glucose levels in check. Eating healthy, whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables, lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, legumes, nuts, and seeds, can provide the nutrients you need to stay healthy. Exercise can also help you manage weight, an essential factor in controlling diabetes.
Insulin Therapy
Your doctor may recommend insulin therapy if other treatments don’t work. Insulin helps the body use glucose more effectively and move it into your cells to use it for energy.
It’s essential to understand what type II diabetes is and how it can affect your life. To lower your risk of serious diabetes-related complications, it’s essential to manage the condition effectively with the help of your doctor. If you think you may have type II diabetes or are concerned about its effects on your life, get professional help right away.