Type II diabetes: Causes, Symptoms, And How To Deal With It
What is Diabetes II
Type 2 diabetes is a disease that causes blood sugar levels to increase due to abnormalities in the body’s ability to use the hormone insulin. Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes.
Insulin is a hormone that helps blood sugar (glucose) enter the body’s cells to be converted into energy. This hormone is produced by the pancreas when a person eats. In type 2 diabetes, high blood sugar levels occur due to insulin resistance, which is a cell condition when the body cannot use the insulin hormone properly. Worldwide, it is estimated that 1 in every 11 adults has diabetes. Of these, 90% of them suffer from type 2 diabetes. Apart from adults, type 2 diabetes can also affect children and adolescents.
Causes and Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body cannot use insulin normally. There are several aspects that can increase a person’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes, namely:
- Genetic or hereditary factors
- Overweight or obese
- Frequently consume foods and drinks that contain sugar and simple carbohydrates
- Lack of physical activity and sports
- Certain conditions, such as high blood pressure or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Type 2 diabetes patients can experience a variety of symptoms, if the wound is difficult to heal, blurred vision, and numbness or tingling in the hands or feet. However, the following symptoms may take a while to appear. In some cases, this situation can even go unnoticed until complications occur.
Difference between Type 2 and Type 1 Diabetes
In type 1 diabetes, people with this disease produce little or no insulin. This is because the insulin-producing cells have been destroyed by the immune system and type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease.
Whereas in type 2 diabetes, the body can produce enough insulin at the beginning of the disease, but does not respond effectively. As type 2 diabetes develops, the pancreas gradually loses its ability to produce enough insulin. This disease is related to hereditary aspects and lifestyle risk aspects such as being overweight or obese, poor diet, and lack of physical activity.
How is type 2 diabetes treated?
There are several ways of treatment that can be done by people with type 2 diabetes, including:
Here’s how to treat type II diabetes according to healthnowclinic:
1. This can be done by setting up a regular healthy eating and snacking schedule, eating portions that are not excessive or sufficient, consuming foods that have high fiber and staying away from consuming refined grains, starchy vegetables, sweet snacks and candy.
2. Do regular physical exercise.
Some sports that can be done are aerobics, resistance training and often taking the time to stand, walk or do light activities every 30 minutes.
Undergoing procedures to achieve ideal body weight.
3. Being overweight will lead to poor control of blood sugar, cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood pressure.
4. Monitor sugar levels regularly.
This procedure aims to ensure that blood sugar levels are always within normal numbers and can be done once a day and before or after exercise.Usually, insulin therapy and taking medication will be advised by a doctor if the points above cannot help maintain blood sugar levels.
As a way of preventing type 2 diabetes, you can make lifestyle changes to be healthier such as eating healthy foods, being active, and getting enough rest. If you or a close relative experiences the symptoms above, immediately consult the nearest doctor so that they can be treated further.
