Type II Diabetes
Authors: Ella Bonner, and Livi Kovach
Type 2 diabetes is a disease where the body cannot use the hormone insulin correctly. Insulin is supposed to move sugar from your blood to your cells so they can use it as energy. When this doesn’t work, blood sugar levels in blood rise quickly which in turn, signals for the pancreas to release more and more insulin and this can damage cells in the pancreas. Some symptoms to look out for include increased thirst, hunger, and urination, blurred vision, and numbness and tingling in the extremities just to name a few.
One of the main risk factors for diabetes type 2 are excessive body weight or obesity. Another one is being too sedentary. What happens when you exercise and move around is that it helps to manage your body weight and also uses glucose, the body’s energy which in turn helps the body use the sugar! Those who also have a family history of diabetes or if you have been diagnosed with pre-diabetes or gestational diabetes when you were pregnant.
The main way to prevent Type 2 Diabetes is to consistently make healthy lifestyle choices. This includes following a healthy diet plan focused on incorporating vegetables, fruits, and whole grains while lowering fats and calories. This helps the body stabilize blood sugar levels and improve the body’s ability to process insulin. Another preventative action is to lose weight if you are overweight and staying disciplined to keep the weight off. Because body weight is a primary risk factor of the disease, maintaining a healthy weight can help prevent the development of Type 2 Diabetes. Being active is also very important. The main goal is to have 150 or more minutes a week of moderate to vigorous aerobic activity. This helps prevent a sedentary lifestyle and get the body up and moving to manage weight and use glucose. A final preventative measure is to avoid sitting for too long. Every 30 minutes of sitting, you should get up and move to get your blood flowing and avoid being sedentary. Overall, the primary preventative measure for Type 2 Diabetes is to make healthy lifestyle choices that put your body and your health first.
After a Type 2 Diabetes diagnosis, it is essential to take steps to manage the disease to prevent it from progressing into further health complications. It is important to practice healthy eating habits, including following a regular eating schedule, eating foods with fewer calories, and decreasing refined grains, starchy vegetables, and sweets. Physical activity is another step in managing diabetes, and it can take the form of aerobic activity, strength training, and implementing movement into daily activities. If you are overweight, losing weight can help in managing the issues that are present in diabetes. Tracking your blood sugar is an essential step in managing Type 2 Diabetes and involves making sure that your blood sugar stays in the target range. Your healthcare team will teach you how to do so and how often you need to check your blood sugar levels. Measuring your blood sugar can be done using a blood glucose meter, which is a small at-home device, or using a sensor put under the skin for continuous glucose monitoring. Both methods will allow you to find out if your blood sugar levels are too high or too low. Your healthcare team may prescribe medications aimed at lowering glucose levels if diet and exercise are not efficient in maintaining target blood sugar levels.
Unfortunately, Type 2 Diabetes is a very prevalent disease in the United States. Therefore, it is very important to be educated on the risk factors, symptoms, and prevention techniques of the disease. Overall, it is essential to make healthy lifestyle choices, including eating a balanced diet, getting regular exercise, and keeping a close eye on your health as a whole. If you notice the development of any symptoms, such as increased thirst, hunger, and urination, it is very important to visit a doctor to discuss what is going on. Those diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes can manage their condition by monitoring blood sugar levels, losing weight, and increasing regular physical activity.
Resources:
Comments