Diabetes is a metabolic disease caused by an increase in high blood sugar levels for a prolonged period of time. Our body requires sugar in the form of glucose which we get from the food we eat. In order to consume the glucose, our body produces which is produced in our pancreas. Diabetes happens when our body either fails to produce or the body does not respond to the .
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There are three main types of diabetes which a body can suffer from:
1. Type I Diabetes
Type 1 Diabetes is a direct result of the failure of the pancreas to produce enough in our body to dissolve the glucose in our bloodstream, and prolonged failure to produce causes accumulation of glucose resulting in Type one Diabetes.
2. Type II Diabetes
Type 2 Diabetes happens when our cells begin to resist the produced, and this leads to a lack of . Its primary causes is excessive body weight and lack of exercise. Hence, when doctors talk about type 2 diabetes treatments, lifestyle changes often become one of the most important points to make.
3. Gestational Diabetes
Gestational Diabetes is the third form of diabetes which happens to pregnant women without a history of diabetes with high blood sugar levels.
Type 2 Diabetes Causes
Type 2 diabetes is also known or referred to as non-dependent diabetes mellitus or adult-onset diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is usually found in adults over the age of 40. Common type 2 diabetes causes are obesity and being overweight. Some other causes of this type are hereditary, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, IGT or impaired fasting glucose, and developed gestational diabetes during pregnancy. Another prominent reason nowadays is also stress.
Type 2 Diabetes Symptoms
Type 2 diabetes can stay dormant for years without showing any symptoms, but as time goes by and the blood sugar level increases, the symptoms start to show up, some of which are blurred sight, numbness of hands and feet, bladder and vaginal infections, appetite increases and so does thirst, erectile dysfunction, and feeling tired. Sometimes due to diabetes staying dormant for a long time results in a condition called glucose toxicity, which damages the pancreas, which then leads your body to produce inadequate amounts of or stop its production altogether.
Treatment for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
The most important thing you need to know about type 2 diabetes treatments is that diabetes can be treated only if the blood sugar levels are kept in check and are within the normal range. Weight control, diet, and exercise are key to the treatment to type 2 diabetes mellitus as type 2 diabetes is nutritional.
Losing weight is another one of type 2 diabetes treatments as losing even a few pounds helps in lowering blood sugar levels. In many cases, blood sugar levels are controlled simply by maintaining a healthy diet and exercising. But in some cases, medication is a must to keep the glucose levels in check. And sometimes if oral medication is not sufficient, then a doctor will advise one to take injections. Some oral medications have proven to be far more beneficial than its counterparts in the market, such as sulfonylureas, biguanides, acarbose, thiazolidinediones, Meglitinides etc.
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Posted on February 15, 2023