Tackling Type 2 diabetes — World Diabetes Day (14th November) | Welbeing

3 min readNov 14, 2019

Type 1 diabetes isn’t caused by weight and lifestyle.

Unfortunately, it’s about your family history and genetics; you simply cannot affect the risk of developing the condition. Symptoms can vary from the acute (complications that come on abruptly) to chronic (long-term problems that develop gradually).

However, according to Diabetes UK, about 90% of the people living with diabetes have type 2. And along with your family history, ethnicity and age, the risks of developing the condition are affected by lifestyle choices.

What causes type 2 diabetes?

The combination of genetic susceptibility and lifestyle can lead to insulin resistance. If you’ve got type 2 diabetes, the insulin your pancreas makes can’t work properly — or it simply can’t make enough.

Why do we need insulin?

Insulin is essential for our body to function properly. It allows blood glucose to enter our cells and fuel the system.

What are the symptoms of Type 2 diabetes?

One of the most common symptoms of type 2 diabetes is feeling very tired. Other symptoms include:

Needing to urinate a lot
Feeling very thirsty
Increased hunger
Unintended weight loss
Blurred vision
Areas of darkened skin (usually in the armpits and neck)
Getting infections, e.g. thrush
Wounds, e.g. cuts and grazes taking longer to heal

However, many people don’t actually get — or notice — any symptoms. This means that some people can actually live for up to 10 years without being diagnosed. But this does mean that over time, there can be complications for the body.

What are the complications of type 2 diabetes?

Diabetes can cause a range of problems for our bodies — from chronic to acute.

Chronic complications

Eye problems (retinopathy)
Foot problems
Heart attack and stroke
Kidney problems (nephropathy)
Nerve damage (neuropathy)
Gum disease and other mouth problems
Related conditions, like cancer
Sexual problems in women
Sexual problems in men

Acute complications

Hypos — blood sugars are too low
Hypers — blood sugars are too high
Hyperosmolar Hyperglycaemic State (HHS) — a life-threatening emergency brought on by severe dehydration and very high blood sugars
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) — a life-threatening emergency where the lack of insulin and high blood sugars leads to a build-up of ketones

But these issues aren’t inevitable. Keeping blood sugar, blood pressure and blood fats under control can help to reduce the risks.

How can you manage the risks of type 2 diabetes?

Whether you have prediabetes or have already received a diagnosis, lifestyle changes can slow, or in some cases, stop the progression of diabetes. Here’s what you can do:

Manage your weight — excess body fat can increase the body’s resistance to insulin
Quit smoking — it makes blood circulation much harder and can double the chances of complications. For help stopping smoking, contact Smokefree or call the NHS Smokefree Helpline on 0300 123 104
Exercise regularly — moderate physical exercise will help you manage your weight, reduce blood glucose levels and can improve blood pressure and cholesterol
Watch your alcohol intake — drinking can lead to weight gain and can increase your blood pressure and triglyceride levels; high triglycerides levels indicate that your system for turning food into energy isn’t working properly

Crucially, as you get older, it’s important to see your doctor for regular check-ups. They can test your blood glucose, blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels.

But if you are diagnosed with diabetes, our personal alarm service or OneCall bracelet can provide valuable reassurance and support. Our team are available 24/7 in case of an emergency.

To find out more, give us a call: 01323 406923 or email info@welbeing.org.uk

Originally published at https://www.welbeing.org.uk on November 14, 2019.