Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is a condition affecting how your body regulates glucose, leading to a build up of sugar in your blood stream. Discover the symptoms, causes and how you can effectively manage the condition with a healthy lifestyle and medical care.

What is Type 2 Diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is a long-term condition that affects how your body regulates blood sugar (glucose). Normally, your body uses insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, to help sugar enter your cells for energy. In type 2 diabetes, either your body doesn’t produce enough insulin or your cells become resistant to insulin’s effects. This leads to a buildup of sugar in the bloodstream, which can cause various health problems over time.

Symptoms

Symptoms of type 2 diabetes can develop slowly and may go unnoticed for years. Here are some common signs to be aware of:

• Increased thirst and urination: When your blood sugar levels are high, your kidneys work overtime to remove excess glucose from your blood, leading to frequent urination. This can also make you feel very thirsty as your body tries to replace fluids lost through urination.
• Frequent hunger: hunger can arise from various factors related to the body’s inability to regulate blood sugar effectively leading to fluctuations in the sugar levels.
• Unintended weight loss: The body may break down muscle tissue for energy when it can’t access glucose effectively, leading to weight loss despite eating more.
• Fatigue: Cells deprived of glucose, their main fuel source, can lead to persistent fatigue.
• Blurred vision: High blood sugar can cause temporary changes in the shape of your lens, affecting your ability to focus clearly.
• Slow-healing wounds: Diabetes can impair blood circulation and decrease the body’s ability to fight infection, leading to slow-healing wounds.
• Frequent infections: poorly controlled blood sugar levels will affect the immune system and lead to recurrent infections.
• Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet: Uncontrolled and persistently elevated blood sugar levels can cause damage to the nerves of the hands and feet and lead to abnormality in the sensation.
• Genital itching or thrush: High blood sugar can create an environment for fungal infections in the genital area.
• Areas of darkened skin, usually in the armpits and neck.

Causes

Two main factors contribute to type 2 diabetes:

• Insulin Resistance: Cells in muscles, fat, and the liver become resistant to insulin, making it harder for them to absorb sugar from the bloodstream.
• Insulin Deficiency: The pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin to keep blood sugar levels within a healthy range.

Risk Factors

Several factors increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes:

• Weight: Being overweight or obese is a major risk factor.
• Inactivity: A sedentary lifestyle increases your risk.
• Family History: Having a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes increases your risk.
• Race/Ethnicity: Certain races and ethnicities are at higher risk.
• Blood Pressure and Cholesterol: High blood pressure and unhealthy cholesterol levels increase your risk.
• Prediabetes: Having prediabetes (elevated blood sugar levels but not high enough for diabetes diagnosis) significantly increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
• Gestational Diabetes: Women who have had gestational diabetes (high blood sugar during pregnancy) are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes later in life.

Diagnosis

Your doctor will diagnose type 2 diabetes based on blood tests that measure your blood sugar levels. There are different types of tests used:

• Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS): This test measures your blood sugar level after not eating for at least 8 hours.
• Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c): This test reflects your average blood sugar control over the past 2-3 months.
• Random Blood Sugar (RBS): This test measures your blood sugar level at any time, regardless of when you last ate. It may be used along with other tests for diagnosis.

Complications of Type 2 Diabetes

High blood sugar over time can damage various organs in your body, leading to serious complications. These include:

• Heart and Blood Vessel Disease: This includes increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and narrowed arteries (atherosclerosis).
• Nerve Damage (Neuropathy): This can cause tingling, numbness, burning pain, or loss of feeling in the hands and feet. It can also affect other nerves, leading to digestive problems, erectile dysfunction, and bladder control issues.
• Kidney Disease: Diabetes can lead to chronic kidney disease and even kidney failure.
• Eye Problems: Diabetes increases the risk of cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy (damage to the blood vessels in the retina), which can lead to blindness.
• Skin Problems: Diabetes can increase your risk of skin infections and slow down wound healing.
• Hearing Impairment: Hearing problems are more common in people with diabetes.

Living with Type 2 Diabetes

Fortunately, type 2 diabetes can be managed effectively with a healthy lifestyle and proper medical care. Here are the key strategies for managing type 2 diabetes:

• Healthy Eating: A balanced diet that focuses on whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and lean protein is crucial. Limiting processed foods, sugary drinks, and unhealthy fats is important. A registered dietitian can help you create a personalized meal plan.
• Regular Physical Activity: Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week. Brisk walking, swimming, cycling, and dancing are all excellent options.
• Maintaining a Healthy Weight: Losing weight if you’re overweight can significantly improve blood sugar control. Even a modest weight loss of 5-10% can make a big difference.
• Monitoring Blood Sugar Levels: Regularly checking your blood sugar levels helps you understand how your body reacts to food, exercise, and medication. Your doctor will advise you on how often to check and what your target blood sugar range should be.
• Medication: Your doctor may prescribe medications to help lower your blood sugar levels. These may include tablets or injections. Different types of medications work in different ways, and your doctor will choose the best option for you.
• Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Management: High blood pressure and cholesterol levels increase the risk of complications from diabetes. Your doctor will monitor these levels and may prescribe medications to keep them under control.
• Foot Care: Diabetes can decrease circulation and nerve sensation in the feet, increasing the risk of foot ulcers.
  • Daily inspection of your feet for cuts, blisters, redness, or swelling is crucial.
  • Wash your feet daily with warm (not hot) water and dry them thoroughly, especially between the toes.
  • Moisturize your feet with lotion to prevent dryness and cracking.
  • Wear well-fitting shoes with good support and cushioning. Avoid tight-fitting shoes or going barefoot.
  • See a podiatrist (foot specialist) regularly for check-ups and foot care advice.

• Smoking Cessation: Smoking significantly harms blood circulation and wound healing, worsening diabetic complications. Quitting smoking is one of the most important things you can do for your overall health.

• Dental Care: Diabetes increases the risk of gum disease and other dental problems. Regular dental checkups and maintaining good oral hygiene are essential.
• Healthy Sleep: Aim for 7-8 hours of quality sleep each night. Poor sleep can disrupt hormones that regulate blood sugar levels.
• Stress Management: Chronic stress can raise blood sugar levels. Techniques like yoga, meditation, and deep breathing can help manage stress.

Signs and Symptoms of High and Low Blood Sugar

• High Blood Sugar (Hyperglycemia): Frequent urination, increased thirst, dry mouth, blurred vision, fatigue, headache, fruity-smelling breath (diabetic ketoacidosis).
• Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia): Sweating, shaking, weakness, hunger, irritability, dizziness, headache, blurred vision, heart palpitations, slurred speech, drowsiness, confusion.

Importance of Regular Check-Ups

Regular visits with your doctor and diabetes care team are crucial for monitoring your blood sugar control, managing medications, and identifying and addressing potential complications early on. These check-ups may include:

• Blood tests to monitor blood sugar, HbA1c, cholesterol, and kidney function.
• Eye exams to check for diabetic retinopathy.
• Foot exams to assess for nerve damage and potential ulcers.

 Seeking Medical Attention

If you experience any of the above symptoms and are concerned, it’s crucial to seek medical attention to be investigated for diabetes and start medical treatment where necessary.

Remember:

• Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition, but it can be managed effectively with a healthy lifestyle and proper medical care.
• Early diagnosis and good management can help prevent or delay complications associated with diabetes.
• Work closely with your doctor to develop a personalized treatment plan that fits your needs and preferences.
• There are resources and support groups available to help you manage your diabetes and live a healthy life.

Arranging To Visit A Private GP

To discuss any worrying symptoms that could be an indication of type 2 diabetes make an appointment with one of our private GPs. Appointments are available to everyone and can often be booked for the same day. There is no need to be registered with our Buckinghamshire hospital, or live locally.

If you have insurance which covers a GP visit, we can in most cases invoice the insurer directly. Where you are paying directly, the cost for a 30 minute consultation is £125.

Any additional costs will always be discussed. They could apply if you are referred for an MRI scan, or to a consultant, or for other agreed decisions to support your health.

---