Topics: diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a common health condition and many people around the world are suffering from this disease. According to WHO, about 8.5% of adults aged 18 and above had diabetes. The data further concludes that among the population suffering from diabetes, more than 95% of people have type 2 diabetes. Yet, not many people are aware of the diagnosis, symptoms, or seriousness of this condition. So, here are five facts about this disease that you must know!
What is type 2 Diabetes? What are its symptoms?
Type 2 diabetes is a condition in which sugar or insulin levels build up in your bloodstream. It happens because the cells in your body fail to respond to insulin as they should. If the condition persists, your body might not produce insulin in the required quantities. The condition is rather serious because if the diabetes is not controlled, it can increase your blood glucose levels and surge complications. So, it is significant to diagnose type 2 diabetes and begin the treatment. Here are some signs that you should be on the lookout for if you suspect this illness-
- Constant hunger
- Frequent urge to pee
- Excessive thirst
- Blurry vision
- Lack of energy
- Fatigue
- Numbness in your hands and feet
Five facts about type two diabetes
Now that we know what type 2 diabetes means let’s move ahead and discuss some interesting facts about this condition!
1. Type 2 Diabetes can lead to serious health problems:
Type 2 diabetes is a serious health condition that needs to be diagnosed and treated asap. If it goes undiagnosed or untreated or is not correctly managed, it can lead to serious health conditions. Diabetic patients can develop cardiovascular problems, kidney disease, nerve damage, hearing problems, stroke or Alzheimer’s, and eye disease. Therefore, it is necessary to keep a close watch on the blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and cholesterol of diabetic patients to lower the possibility of any health complications. Early diagnosis and proper treatment can play a significant role in managing this health problem.
2. The disease can go undetected for years:
Many patients suffering from this condition can tell you that they could identify type 2 diabetes only at a later stage. It happens because the initial symptoms of this condition like thirst and lack of energy, are quite common. As a result, many people fail to link them to diabetes and do not get tested. Also, in some cases, the symptoms develop only after a long time, if at all. Thus, the disease goes undiagnosed.
This is why it is recommended that anyone overweight and above 45 should get tested for diabetes. In addition, middle-aged obese people under 45 should also consider being tested as being overweight is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes.
3. It is a chronic condition without any cure:
Diabetes is a condition that develops when your body fails to manage blood sugar levels. It occurs because your system is not producing enough insulin (the hormone responsible for processing the blood sugar), or your cells resist using it. In both cases, the failure to use the hormone to metabolise glucose leads to the build-up of sugar in the blood. Because of this, the cells in your body don’t get the energy needed for carrying out day to day tasks, which can cause further problems.
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that basically means that it is a long time. Though you can manage it by practising a healthy lifestyle and taking proper medication, there is no permanent cure to treat this health condition.
4. The disease has a high-risk rate for some groups:
Although diabetes is a fairly common disease that can affect anyone, certain groups of people are more vulnerable to this condition than others. These include:
- Obese or overweight people
- Those who have a fat mid-section
- Individuals who have a history of prediabetes
- Inactive individuals who exercise less than three times a week
- Black, Hispanic, Asian-American, American-Indian, and Pacific Islander people
- People with a history of gestational diabetes
- Individuals whose parents or siblings are patients of this condition
- People who are 45 or above
- Patients with high triglyceride levels, high blood pressure, low HDL cholesterol levels
5. Type 2 diabetes patients are vulnerable to sleep apnea:
Many patients who have type 2 diabetes have another condition, sleep apnea. For those who are not aware, sleep apnea is a disorder in which your breathing stops and starts abruptly while you are resting. According to a study that was published in Family Medicine in 2013, those who have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes have a 50-50 chance of having sleep apnea. It is serious because sleep apnea can worsen diabetes symptoms and cause heart disease, stroke, or high blood pressure problems. This is why it is vital to take a sleep apnea test if you have type 2 diabetes. Doing so will help you in taking the appropriate measures to prevent your condition from worsening.
Type 2 diabetes has a high mortality rate all over the world. Therefore, it is significant to diagnose and treat this condition as soon as possible. But, in order to do that, you need to be aware of the preventative measures and symptoms of the disease. You should take precautions like limiting the consumption of sugary drinks and maintaining a healthy weight. Also, if you have tested positive for type 2 diabetes, you must get tested for sleep apnea to avoid any future complications.
Disclaimer: The content provided in the article is for suggestive purposes and is based on the data available. Readers are advised to practise caution and consult their doctors before taking any action to improve or manage their diabetic condition.
