Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder that arises due to interrelated risk factors such as genetics, environment, and lifestyle. In the past decades, diabetes has become an epidemic in America, wreaking havoc on more than 34 million Americans today (Cdc, 2019). This disease has also been diagnosed various times in my own family, recently affecting my mother and changing her life completely. The severity of diabetes can vary, some people can control it, while others cannot, thus leading to more health problems. While being the most common of its form, it is important to remember that diabetes is a progressive and preventive disease.
Type 2 diabetes is a disease that occurs when a person’s blood glucose, also known as blood sugar, is too high. Our organism’s blood glucose is its main source of energy, which is mainly derived from an individual’s diet. Glucose works in relation to insulin, a hormone that is made in the pancreas, to deliver glucose into your cells in order to be used as energy. When insulin stops functioning, the body can no longer use sugar properly, leading to an excess amount of sugar in the body; this is known as hyperglycemia. The pancreas does generate enough insulin, but it no longer has any effect on the glucose intake, known as insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes. When a person is indefinitely diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, this means that their body is no longer producing enough insulin, or has an insulin impairment, to meet the body’s needs, which results in the glucose not reaching the cells in order to produce energy.
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Type 2 diabetes can develop at any age, in some cases even during childhood, however, it most often affects a person that is middle-aged or older. Genetics are also a big contributor to contracting diabetes, an individual is more likely to develop the disease if you have a family history of diabetes or obesity. Although the disease is not selective towards a certain race, it is found to be more common in Hispanics/Latinos, American Indians, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and African Americans (Basu, 2017). Certain health problems can also increase a person’s chances, such as high blood pressure, prediabetes, and gestational diabetes.
Recognizing the early warning signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes presents itself in various forms ranging from different individuals. The symptoms of diabetes include increased thirst and urination, tiredness, blurry vision, increased hunger, wounds or sores that will not heal, numbness in the feet or hands, fatigue, and unexplained weight loss. Although type 2 diabetes in itself is an issue, the symptoms caused by it can present other problems. Frequent urination and increased thirst can result in a highly sensitive bladder and dehydration. Increased hunger in type 2 diabetes occurs because a person’s body is not obtaining enough energy from the food they consume, thus causing weight gain and more complications. An excess of blood sugar can damage tiny blood vessels in the person’s eyes, which impairs their vision, and in certain cases, permanent vision loss may occur. Slow-healing cuts and wounds occur because of a lack of blood circulation, this also increases the risk of infection in the areas affected. These symptoms often develop slowly over many years. In most cases of diabetes, the individuals in question do not notice any signs or symptoms.
Type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease, although in most cases it is entirely preventative. Type 2 diabetes is the result of a high sugar intake, where the body does not produce enough insulin to transport glucose into the cells needed. Nutrition and lifestyle are directly attributed to the causes of type 2 diabetes. Good nutrition comes into play as a good meal plan or diet will provide enough nutrients for the body to be stable. A good diet is one where the individual eats enough proteins, greens, carbs, and sugars to maintain their health. Humans must also live an active lifestyle, running or walking every day to burn calories and energy and make way for more food intake to fuel the body. For the past decade, lifestyle has been a growing concern and a big indicator of future diseases. More and more jobs are becoming more sedentary rather than active, often leaving individuals with no time to practice an active lifestyle.
Managing type 2 diabetes while already being diagnosed with the disease is incredibly important. While many people who have type 2 diabetes find it incredibly difficult to change their nutrition and lifestyle, it is not impossible. Individuals who have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes must now follow a low-sugar meal plan with an active lifestyle. A low-sugar meal plan would consist of enough nutrients and vitamins for the organism, but little to no sugar is the key to avoiding complications with diabetes. Natural sugars must also be eaten at a minimum or avoided completely, while processed sugars must be avoided at all. The affected individual must now exercise daily. If the individual is overweight or obese, they must follow an active routine to shed weight and limit their calorie intake.
The ‘Diabetes Prevention Program’ has conducted studies that have proven effective in lowering the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Shedding weight and keeping it off is an important factor in reducing the risk of diabetes, you are able to delay diabetes by losing 5 to 10 percent of your current weight. Practicing an active lifestyle for at least 30 minutes, such as walking or running. Eating healthy foods and smaller portions reduces your calorie intake and helps losing weight.
While there is no cure for type 2 diabetes, the key to preventing or managing it is leading a healthy lifestyle by practicing a good meal plan, an active lifestyle, and understanding the disease and your body. Type 2 diabetes can affect anyone despite their family history, understanding this common disease and taking the necessary steps towards preventing it is crucial and should have more exposure. Today, there is a wide variety of preventative and management programs that help individuals meet their needs and goals.
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