English
Last updated on August 1st, 2022
Type 2 Diabetes is more common in adults and 1 in every 10 adults across the globe has this diabetes. 90% of the people having diabetes with Type-2 Diabetes. The good news is that diabetes can be reversed. Reversal requires proper care, exercise, diet plan, and medication.
The key step in Type-2 diabetes is its early detection and proper management. Read this article to gain details on symptoms and insights into type-2 diabetes.
Type-2 Diabetes
To understand Type-2 Diabetes you need to understand the role of Glucose and the need for Insulin.
Role of Glucose and Insulin
The food we eat is converted into Glucose. Glucose also comes into our body from the liver. The liver has stored glycogen which it converts into glucose.
Glucose enters our bloodstream. Through blood, it enters body cells. Cells use glucose in the process of cellular respiration to release energy. Thus, Glucose is the source of energy for our body.
The bloodstream glucose enters the cells with the help of insulin.
Summary
Cells need glucose. Glucose is in the bloodstream. Insulin in the bloodstream helps glucose to enter cells.
Pancreas and Insulin
As glucose enters the bloodstream, the pancreas gets triggered to produce insulin. Insulin in the bloodstream now helps the glucose to enter cells. Sugar levels drop in the blood. Pancreas reduces the insulin production.
Reasons for Type-2 Diabetes
Read the steps below to understand how Type-2 Diabetes occurs:
- In type-2 diabetes, glucose absorption into the cells decreases due to the insulin resistance of cells.
- This causes glucose accumulation in the bloodstream.
- Due to high glucose levels in the bloodstream, insulin production increases.
- Insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas become weak. Due to this, it is unable to make more insulin.
- The body cells now become resistant to insulin. Due to this glucose levels shoot up.
Thus, the blood sugar levels increase, and over time the high sugar impacts your circulatory system and nervous system. But, Insulin Resistance can be reversed by regular exercise and eating nutrient-rich food as suggested by fitness and diet coaches. Once the production of Insulin is regularised, your blood sugar levels will also normalize.
Also Read: HbA1c Chart For Adults
Early Signs of Type 2 Diabetes
Having high blood sugar levels is an early sign of diabetes but does not necessarily mean you are diabetic. Our body exhibits a warning prodrome known as pre-diabetes symptoms. These are the early signs of type-2 diabetes.
Knowing these signs can be advantageous as it can help in reversal to the normal condition faster. If left untreated it can make you type-2 diabetic.
How to Know Whether We are Pre-Diabetic?
The solution lies in early monitoring of your blood sugar levels.
- Normal blood sugar levels: Normal blood sugar levels are less than 100 mg/dL after fasting (not eating) for at least eight hours. And blood sugar level should be less than 140 mg/dL two hours after eating.
- Abnormal blood sugar levels: Abnormal blood sugar levels, for adults, are more than 130 mg/dL before a meal (fasting) and more than 180 mg/dL two hours after eating.
- Pre-diabetic blood sugar levels: Unless you don’t have risk factors like obesity, a genetic history of diabetes, and other health ailments, a blood sugar level from 140 to 199 mg/dL (7.8 to 11.0 mmol/L ) is an indication of pre-diabetes.
- Blood sugar levels above 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) are an indication of Type-2 diabetes.
People with insulin resistance and pre-diabetes are most likely to develop diabetes, and due to a sedentary lifestyle – the situation may worsen. One can reverse diabetes naturally by adopting healthy eating, sleeping, workout routine, and improvising other habits that affect blood sugar levels.
Summary
Blood sugar levels above 180 mg/dL are abnormal and require further investigation. A positive approach and constant motivation towards reversing diabetes with the help of certified coaches are helpful in reaching and holding onto normal blood sugar levels for life.
Main Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes
The symptoms of Type-2 diabetes develop slowly over a longer period. Once you enter into the diabetes phase, you will notice the following symptoms/ signs:
- Polydipsia-Increased thirst feeling
- Polyuria-Frequent urination desire
- Fatigue
- Hyperphagia- Excessive hungry feeling
- Blurred vision
- Unintended weight loss
- Erectile dysfunction (ED)
- Slow-healing sores
Ignoring these signs can be dangerous. As one may end up with the undermentioned chronic symptoms of Diabetes, like-
- Yeast infections (candidiasis)
- Tingling or numbness in the feet
- Acanthosis Nigricans (dark skin patches under armpit, neck, thighs)
- Neuropathy (nerve damage)
- Foot pain
In order to avoid complications and seriousness, you should make necessary lifestyle changes with the guidance of experts like Diet Coaches, Fitness Coaches, and diabetologists. These certified experts will help you attain normal blood sugar levels and reverse diabetes naturally without medication and supplements.
Also Read: Normal blood sugar levels chart
Mental Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes
Above are the visible physical symptoms. But diabetes has an impact on your mental health as well. 1000s of patients complain about issues like stress, depression, and even suicidal thoughts.
Impacts of diabetes on the mental health condition of a person:
- Diabetes Distress – A condition when a person feels irritated, defeated, or depressed by diabetes. This occurs when you feel tense about how this disease is going to impact your life.
- Burnout– Getting angry frequently. This happens when you stop taking your medications on time, skip insulin doses, and lose your hope of controlling diabetes. Constant follow-ups and reminders with regular mediation can help you get rid of your anger issues.
- Mood swings – Fluctuations in blood sugar levels result in negative moods like aggression and irritability. A high glucose level leads to difficulty in coordination and decision-making ability of a person.
- Stress and depression – Depression makes it difficult to manage diabetes. The stress of getting back to normal weight, enjoying a better and healthy life, expenses for the treatment of this disease, and more can come in your way of maintaining normal blood sugar levels. Under stress, you won’t be able to stick to your treatment plan. If you notice symptoms like changes in sleep patterns, anger, trouble in concentration, etc., then you must consult a mental health professional right away.
Over 10000 patients have spoken to our Diabetes experts over consultation calls and many were surprised to know that diabetes can be reversed naturally. Diet coaches, fitness coaches, diabetologists, and other health care experts, provide you with personalized sustainable solutions.
Summary
Diabetes impacts mental health and can cause mood swings, stress, anxiety, and depression. Regular exercises and proper treatment can help you to overcome it.
Risk factors
Certain factors which aggravate the risk of type 2 diabetes include:
- Family history / Heredity – If one of your family members has diabetes, then the chances for you to acquire diabetes increase.
- Obesity – Abdominal fat triggers the fat cells to release pro-inflammatory chemicals, which affect the body’s sensitivity to insulin.
- Ethnicity – People belonging to ethnic groups like Hispanic/ Latino Americans, African-Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Alaska natives have a higher chance to get type 2 diabetes.
- Polycystic ovary syndrome / PCOS (formation of cysts on the ovaries) – Women with PCOS have an increased risk of insulin resistance and gestational diabetes.
- Age – The probability of getting type 2 diabetes increases with age, especially after 45 years. Reversal is possible at any age. One of our recent achievers is Mr. Veerabhadra Rao, 64, who has successfully reversed diabetes and is enjoying a healthy lifestyle
- Gestational diabetes – Women who develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy are more likely to get type 2 diabetes.
- Sedentary lifestyle – A major cause of weight gain which can ultimately lead to type 2 diabetes. However, staying active increases the body’s sensitivity to insulin and lowers insulin resistance.
- Insulin resistance – Due to insulin resistance, the body cells are unable to use insulin effectively which increases the blood sugar level in the blood and can lead to type 2 diabetes.
Also Read: What is the Normal Blood Sugar Level?
Type 2 Diabetes Diagnosis
Regular monitoring of blood sugar levels can help in the early detection of Type-2 diabetes.
The doctor shall ask for a blood test. Generally for diagnosing type-2 diabetes doctors may ask for 2 days of regular blood samples. The tests carried out are:
- A1c- This test checks average levels of glucose for the past few months.
- Fasting plasma glucose- This test requires you to fast and have an empty stomach. Fasting of at least 8 hours before the test is required. For measuring blood sugar levels, a blood sample is drawn.
- Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) – Blood sugar levels are again measured, after 2 hours of eating.
Blood sugar levels above 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) are an indication of Type-2 diabetes.
Complications of Type-2 Diabetes
If ignored or left untreated type-2 diabetes can impact badly on the body. It can impact many organs like the heart, kidney, liver, and eyes and can damage nerves. Some serious complications of type-2 diabetes are:
- Damaging blood vessels
- Nerve damage especially in limbs and foot
- Heart diseases
- Kidney diseases
- Diabetic ketoacidosis
- Eye damage and loss of vision
- Hearing impairments
- Dementia- reduced memory
It’s better to enroll in a Diabetes Reversal Program before things become worse. Education Webinar will help you understand why and what you will be eating, why only walking or playing a sport is not making you fit? What lifestyle modifications are required to normalize your blood sugar levels? And many such questions running in your mind will be answered.
Conclusion
Diabetes can be treated easily. All it requires is regular monitoring of your body signs, proper lifestyle, and proper treatment. If you notice any diabetes signs, consult the doctor immediately. Get your blood glucose level checked. This immediate action will protect you from the dreadful result of diabetes complications.
However, your constant hard work and determination can reverse the Diabetes cycle in the long run. The following healthy changes will prove that you are on the right track to Diabetes Reversal:
- Your blood sugar level remains normal for a long duration.
- Having a healthy lifestyle.
- You are off Insulin and other medications.
You just have to eat right, sleep tight, worry less, work out more and you will be fine for the rest of your life!
FAQ’s:
What about the life expectancy of a kid having type 1 diabetes?
Do I need to take insulin therapy if I have type-2 diabetes?
Answer: It depends on your body’s metabolism and blood sugar levels. Doctors shall look into your condition to decide whether you need insulin therapy or not. Yes, some Type-2 patients take insulin therapy.
Can children suffer from type-2 diabetes?
Answer: Type-2 is mostly common in adults. But children having genetic history, obesity problems and a bad lifestyle also have type-2 diabetes.
How long the diabetes reversal lasts?
Answer: Studies have found that the type-2 reversal lasts for 10 years as long as they maintain the proper lifestyle and they do not gain more weight.
Can Type-2 diabetes be completely cured?
Answer: You can reverse to normal condition. But it requires early detection and maintenance of a healthy lifestyle.
Disclaimer
This site provides educational content; however, it is not a substitute for professional medical guidance. Readers should consult their healthcare professional for personalised guidance. We work hard to provide accurate and helpful information. Your well-being is important to us, and we value your feedback. To learn more, visit our editorial policy page for details on our content guidelines and the content creation process.
