Type 2 diabetes is increasingly common in the U.S., affecting about one in every ten Americans. Worldwide, the World Health Organization ranks type 2 diabetes as being a top ten cause of death. To say these are significant statistics would be an understatement.
So…what exactly is type 2 diabetes? And, more importantly, how can the risk for developing this condition be reduced?
Type 2 Diabetes Defined
Everyone’s body needs sugar (i.e. glucose) for energy, with insulin being the hormone responsible for moving glucose from the blood stream into the body’s cells.
When a person has type 2 diabetes, the body is no longer responsive to insulin the way it should be. The result is “insulin resistance”.
As the body becomes increasingly insulin resistant, the pancreas has to work harder to produce the larger amounts of insulin necessary for removing glucose from the blood.
Eventually, the pancreas can lose its ability to produce insulin in amounts sufficient for processing any carbohydrates that are consumed. If untreated, glucose can accumulate in the blood (which can have serious health implications).
Who Is at Risk?
Anyone can develop type 2 diabetes, but some people will be at a higher risk. A person may be more likely to develop type 2 diabetes if they:
- Are overweight or inactive
- Are over the age of 45
- Have a family history that includes diabetes
- Have high blood pressure or elevated LDL cholesterol
- Had diabetes during pregnancy (a condition known as gestational diabetes)
Common Warning Signs
Unfortunately, type 2 diabetes can be sneaky in that people are often asymptomatic during the early stages of the disease. Following are some signs to watch for:
- Excessive thirst
- Frequent urination
- Unrelenting fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Cuts or bruises that heal slowly
- Tingling or numbness in the hands or feet
If you notice any of these symptoms, talk to your primary care provider. A simple blood test is all that’s needed to check for type 2 diabetes.
What About Treatment?
It used to be that type 2 diabetes was treated the same way as type 1 diabetes (i.e. with insulin injections to keep blood sugar under control).
A piece of good news is that new treatment options have emerged in more recent years that have transformed how type 2 diabetes is treated:
- New medications: Drugs like metformin, semaglutide, and tirzepatide have revolutionized treatment for type 2 diabetes. These medications improve insulin sensitivity and tamp down appetite.
- Lifestyle changes: In many cases, blood sugar can be controlled with lifestyle changes. These can include:
- Maintaining a healthy diet, that includes colorful veggies, lean protein, healthy fats, and carbohydrate restriction.
- Staying active and getting plenty of exercise, with an emphasis on cardiovascular exercise and strength training.
- Losing weight (if necessary).
What If Type 2 Diabetes Goes Untreated?
Left untreated, elevated blood sugar can cause significant damage to a person’s health over time. Some of the complications that can occur include:
- Heart disease
- Kidney disease
- Vision impairment
- Nerve damage
Prevention
It’s important that elevated blood sugar not be ignored. Early intervention can go a long way toward preventing the kinds of serious complications noted above.
Ask your primary care physician to check your blood sugar at regular intervals, particularly if you’re over the age of 45.
Do you have questions about elevated blood sugar and insulin resistance? Renew Youth is your trusted resource for all aspects of healthy aging. Give us a call at 800-859-7511 or use our easy contact form to schedule your complimentary 30-minute consultation.