What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy. Most of the food you eat is broken down into sugar, which is also known as glucose. Glucose is then released into your bloodstream, and your body uses it for energy.
To keep your blood sugar levels in a healthy range, your body needs insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas. Insulin helps glucose get into your cells to be used for energy.
In type 2 diabetes, your body doesn't use insulin effectively or doesn't produce enough insulin. This causes your blood sugar levels to rise.
Diabetes risk factors:
The exact cause of type 2 diabetes is unknown, but several factors can increase your risk of getting it, including:
- Family history: If you have a family history of type 2 diabetes, you're more likely to develop it.
- Obesity: Being overweight or obese is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes.
- Lack of physical activity: Exercise helps your body use insulin more effectively.
- Age: The risk of type 2 diabetes increases with age.
- Race: African Americans, Hispanics, and American Indians are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than Caucasians.
Ways to control diabetes:
If you have type 2 diabetes, it's important to manage your blood sugar levels to prevent complications. There are several ways to manage type 2 diabetes, including:
- Diet: A healthy diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help you manage your blood sugar levels.
- Exercise: Regular physical activity can help your body use insulin more effectively.
- Weight loss: If you're overweight or obese, losing even a small amount of weight can help improve your blood sugar control.
- Medication: If lifestyle changes are not enough to control your blood sugar levels, your doctor may prescribe medication.
Most people with type 2 diabetes can manage their condition and live long and healthy lives. By following your doctor's recommendations and taking good care of yourself, you can reduce your risk of complications and improve your quality of life.
signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes:
Here are some of the signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes:
- Excessive thirst: This is because your body is trying to get rid of extra sugar in your blood.
- Frequent urination: This is because your kidneys are trying to get rid of extra sugar in your urine.
- Unexplained weight loss: This is because your body is trying to use up stored energy because it's not getting enough glucose from your food.
- Increased hunger: This is because your body is not getting enough glucose from your food, so it's sending signals to your brain that you're hungry.
- Blurred vision: This is because excess sugar in your blood can damage your eyes.
- Slow-healing sores: This is because excess sugar in your blood can damage your nerves and blood vessels, which can slow down the healing process.
- Frequent skin infections: This is because excess sugar in your blood can make it more difficult for your body to fight off infections.
If you experience any of these symptoms, it's important to see your doctor to get tested for type 2 diabetes. The sooner you're diagnosed and start treatment, the better your chances of preventing complications.
Labels
sugary culture