Battlestar Galactica: Battlestar Galactica: Our Extended Recap of ...

type 2 diabetes medications :: Article Creator

Type 2 Diabetes: Causes, Symptoms And Treatment

Commissions we earn from partner links on this page do not affect our opinions or evaluations. Our editorial content is based on thorough research and guidance from the Forbes Health Advisory Board. Table of Contents

More than 37 million Americans (or about one in 10) have diabetes, with another 96 million (or about one in three) having prediabetes . When not managed properly, type 2 diabetes can lead to long-term complications that could be detrimental to your health.

"Type 2 diabetes is a long-term health condition that can affect all aspects of everyday life, including diet, physical health and mental wellness," says Angie Victorio, R.N., a certified diabetes care and education specialist and founder of the online diabetes coaching platform DiaBettr. "If left uncontrolled, diabetes leads to poor blood circulation and contributes to swelling in limbs, nerve damage, vision issues, kidney problems and even cardiovascular disease."

Understanding the risk factors and warning signs of type 2 diabetes is essential, as the condition may not cause symptoms until years after it develops. Thankfully, lifestyle changes and other therapeutic interventions can minimize the risks associated with type 2 diabetes.

Continue reading to learn more about type 2 diabetes, including the causes, symptoms and treatment options.

What Is Type 2 Diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes (diabetes mellitus) is a chronic condition affecting how your body metabolizes glucose. It occurs when your body doesn't produce enough insulin—a hormone created by the pancreas that allows glucose to enter your cells, which is then used for energy—or becomes resistant to it. As a result, glucose builds up in the blood instead of being used by cells. This can lead to serious health problems like heart disease, nerve damage and kidney disease.

"Type 2 diabetes can have a significant impact on everyday life, as it requires constant management to maintain glucose levels within a healthy range," explains Andrew Rhinehart, M.D., a Los Angeles-based board-certified physician with Medtronic Diabetes. Dr. Rhinehart, who is certified in advanced diabetes management, says the condition "requires a significant commitment to lifestyle changes, including diet, exercise, medications and monitoring."

Causes of Type 2 Diabetes

The pancreas is responsible for producing insulin, a hormone that helps the body regulate glucose. When your pancreatic cells don't secrete enough insulin, or your body's tissues don't respond to the insulin produced, type 2 diabetes may occur. This results in elevated blood glucose levels, also known as hyperglycemia.

Several factors can increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, including having obesity, family history and age. It's generally more common among people over 45, though it's becoming increasingly prevalent in younger individuals, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Those who have a parent with type 2 diabetes have an increased risk of developing the condition themselves. Having a sedentary lifestyle with little or no physical activity also increases your risk. Studies suggest that sleep deprivation and chronic stress may also possibly increase the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes

The signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes can be difficult to spot in the early stages, as they may not be very noticeable.

Common symptoms include:

Increased thirst

Increased hunger

Fatigue

Numbness or tingling in the feet and hands

Blurry vision

Unexplained weight loss

Sores that heal slowly or don't heal at all

Increased urination

Recurrent yeast infections

"High glucose levels can damage nerves, causing numbness, tingling or pain in the hands or feet," says Dr. Rhinehart. This sensation, called peripheral diabetic neuropathy, can make walking and daily activities difficult.

Ocular changes, such as blurry vision and floaters, can also occur due to damage to blood vessels in the retina (tissue located in the back of the eye).

If you notice any of the above symptoms, talk with your provider about diagnostic tests that may help determine whether you have type 2 diabetes. Diagnosis is based on a combination of factors, such as the results from blood tests and your medical history. An A1C (also known as glycosylated hemoglobin) test is often used to diagnose diabetes, as it measures your average blood glucose level over the past three months. A1C levels of 6.5% or higher indicate diabetes.

How Are Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes Different?

Unlike type 2 diabetes, type 1 diabetes affects the immune system and is much less common than type 2. Those with type 1 diabetes don't produce enough insulin due to their immune system attacking the cells in their pancreas. These cells, which usually produce insulin, are destroyed and can no longer make the hormone.

Treatment for type 1 diabetes always includes insulin, while type 2 diabetes may or may not require insulin. Unlike type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes can sometimes be prevented with lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy weight.

The age of diagnosis and the progression of type 2 diabetes also differs from type 1 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes typically occurs later in life, while type 1 diabetes is commonly diagnosed in adolescence. There's no cure for either condition, but both can be managed and treated with the help of a knowledgeable diabetes care team. However, those with type 2 diabetes may be able to reverse the condition and prevent medication or insulin use with proper lifestyle modifications.

Ready To Build Healthier Habits?

Noom combines the power of technology with the empathy of human coaches to deliver successful behavior change and sustainable weight loss results. Take the quiz to get your customized plan.

Treatments for Type 2 Diabetes

"Proper treatment of type 2 diabetes can significantly improve a person's quality of life by resolving the symptoms that occur when glucose levels are not within the target range and helping to prevent or manage the condition's complications," says Dr. Rhinehart.

Treatment for type 2 diabetes may include a combination of the following:

Medications: Insulin or other medications may be needed to help control blood sugar levels. These medications work by helping your body produce more insulin, decreasing the amount of glucose produced by the liver and increasing the sensitivity of your cells to insulin. Experts also note that there are newer medications designed to promote weight loss through appetite suppression, leading to better glucose control.

Lifestyle modifications: Changing your diet, exercise and lifestyle habits can help manage and prevent type 2 diabetes. Nutritious foods, regular exercise and avoiding smoking can all help control your blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of long-term complications.

Regular monitoring: Monitoring blood glucose levels is integral to your care plan. Monitoring may include having your A1C level checked every three to six months and frequent monitoring with a home glucose meter.

Self-management skills: Learning to manage your diabetes takes patience and dedication. Understanding the condition, monitoring your blood glucose levels, managing stress and making healthy lifestyle choices are all key components of diabetes self-management.

The key to effectively managing type 2 diabetes is finding a treatment plan that works for you. "Proper treatment can improve quality of life by alleviating pain or discomfort from diabetes complications," explains Victorio. "Proper treatment can also avoid hospitalization, certain disabilities (blindness, amputations) or life-threatening conditions, especially in severe cases of diabetes."

Regular eye exams, foot exams and wellness checks can help you stay on top of your health. It's important to attend all scheduled appointments and follow your doctor's guidance. Working with a dietitian may also help you learn the ins and outs of managing your blood sugar levels.

With dedication and a comprehensive treatment plan, you can effectively manage type 2 diabetes for years to come.

Celeb Fave 'intermittent Fasting' Diet May Lead To Type 2 Diabetes: Scientists

Intermittent fasting — the trendy dieting technique favored by celebs like Jennifer Aniston, Kourtney Kardashian and Gwyneth Paltrow — may actually be unhealthy.

That's what a recent study revealed after examining the effects of the popular diet, in which people restrict their eating to a limited window of time during the day.

The research, published in the International Journal of Epidemiology, tracked the eating habits of more than 103,300 adults (79% of whom were women) for an average of seven years.

There were 963 new cases of Type 2 diabetes among the participants during the study. And people who regularly ate breakfast after 9 a.M. Had a 59% higher rate of Type 2 diabetes than those who ate breakfast before 8 a.M.

"Biologically, this makes sense, as skipping breakfast is known to affect glucose and lipid control, as well as insulin levels," Anna Palomar-Cros, lead author of the study, said in a news release.

Time-restricted eating, a k a intermittent fasting, has now been linked to an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes.Getty Images/iStockphoto

"This is consistent with two meta-analyses that conclude that skipping breakfast increases the risk of Type 2 diabetes," Palomar-Cros added.

Another behavior that seemed to increase the risk of Type 2 diabetes was regularly having a late dinner (after 10 p.M.). Conversely, eating more often during the day — about five times throughout the day — lowered the risk of the disease.

Prolonged fasting seemed to be beneficial only when it was done by having breakfast before 8 a.M. And having an early dinner.

"We know that meal timing plays a key role in regulating circadian rhythms and glucose and lipid control, but few studies have investigated the relationship between meal timing or fasting and Type 2 diabetes," Palomar-Cros said.

This latest study adds to a growing body of evidence calling out the intermittent fasting craze as little more than a fad diet.

A 2022 study, published in the journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, found that skipping breakfast was associated with a higher risk of dying from cardiovascular disease.

Other studies have found that intermittent fasting is about equal to counting calories when it comes to weight loss.

One study found that people with Type 2 diabetes benefited from intermittent fasting.Getty Images

For example, a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that people who participated in intermittent fasting and ate all of their calories within an eight-hour window lost the same amount of weight as those who ate whenever they wanted but counted calories.

Nonetheless, the intermittent fasting diet does have its fans, and some research supports its effectiveness.

A recent study among people with Type 2 diabetes found that those on a time-restricted eating diet lost 3.55% of their body weight over six months, while a calorie-restricted group lost none.

"Many people find counting calories very hard to stick to in the long term, but our study shows that watching the clock may offer a simple way to decrease calories and lose weight," Vicky Pavlou, a doctoral student at the University of Illinois Chicago, said in a news release, as reported by US News.

"There are multiple types of medications for those with Type 2 diabetes, some of which can cause low blood sugar and some that need to be taken with food," Pavlou added. "Therefore, it is important to work closely with a dietitian or doctor when implementing this dieting approach."

Time-Restricted Eating May Aid Weight Loss With Type 2 Diabetes

THURSDAY, July 27, 2023 (HealthDay News) — Time-restricted eating (TRE) may help people with type 2 diabetes lose weight, according to a study presented during NUTRITION 2023, the annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition, held from July 22 to 25 in Boston.

Vasiliki Pavlou, R.D., from the University of Illinois Chicago, and colleagues compared the effect of eight-hour TRE, calorie restriction (25 percent), and no intervention (control) on body weight, cardiometabolic risk factors, and glycemic control in 57 randomly assigned adults with type 2 diabetes and overweight or obesity.

The researchers found that by month 6, body weight decreased significantly in the TRE group (−4.7 percent) versus calorie restriction (−1.6 percent) and control (−0.8 percent). There was also a significant decrease in fat mass in the TRE group versus control, but not versus calorie restriction. In the TRE group, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol increased significantly versus calorie restriction, but not compared with control. There were no significant between-group differences noted for changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, visceral fat mass, lean mass, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, hemoglobin A1C, or insulin resistance at month 6. Throughout the trial, adherence to TRE remained high, with participants adhering to the eight-hour eating window on six days/week.

"There are multiple types of medications for those with type 2 diabetes, some of which can cause low blood sugar and some that need to be taken with food," Pavlou said in a statement. "Therefore, it is important to work closely with a dietitian or doctor when implementing this dieting approach."

Abstract

More Information

healthday

Running Nose Like Water