Diagnosis of type 2 diabetes can leave you shocked and throw you into a frenzy. The condition primarily stems from when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin in the body or the cells do not absorb the sugar molecules & respond poorly to insulin.
Prolonged exposure to type 2 diabetes can lead to disorders of the nervous, circulatory, and immune systems. Thus, figuring out type 2 diabetes treatment should be the first priority post diagnosis.
But, how does one get afflicted by such a condition? What are the signs? What are the symptoms? Here is a detailed understanding of type 2 diabetes for your reference.
What Is Type 2 Diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes in India. It is a lifelong condition that prevents your body from using insulin as it should. The condition is prominent among those who are middle-aged or older. People try various remedies, both natural and prescription-based, to manage the symptoms.
Type 2 Diabetes Symptoms
Often, the symptoms of type 2 diabetes are so mild that people don’t even notice them. Some of the key type 2 diabetes symptoms are -
- Feeling thirsty
- Frequent urination
- Constant fatigue
- Tingling or numb feeling in the feet
- Unhealing wounds
- Constant hunger
- Sudden/ drastic weight loss
- Slow wound healing
- Low immunity
- Blurred vision
Signs of Type 2 Diabetes
Insulin is a naturally occurring hormone produced in the pancreas. When a person is diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, it means that the cells in their muscles, fat, and liver are resisting insulin absorption. This causes a spike in sugar levels and makes your body susceptible to many external conditions and afflictions.
Another prominent aspect that is considered one of the signs of type two diabetes is the pancreas not producing enough insulin. In this condition, glucose buildup in your bloodstream increases and leaves your body’s cells starved for energy. Thus, causing imbalance and affecting your daily life.
Type 2 Diabetes Treatment
Reversing type 2 diabetes is not possible. You cannot simply go back to eating and drinking what you did earlier. However, you can manage your type 2 diabetes by making significant changes in your diet and lifestyle. Stay consistent with a healthy routine and you will be able to take back control of your life. Here are some other ways that play a crucial role in type 2 diabetes treatment.
1) Healthy eating
Once you are diagnosed with diabetes, you’ll need to reach out to a dietician and healthcare expert to curate an effective daily routine. Some general tips on healthy eating are surrounded around -
- Consuming fewer calories
- Eliminating refined carbs, especially sweets from diet
- Adding veggies and fruits
- Befriending fibers in your daily diet
2) Regular exercise
Some exercises that play a crucial role in type 2 diabetes treatment are -
- Aim to walk, jog, swim, run, or bike daily for at least 30 to 45 minutes
- Try weight resistance exercises like weightlifting and calisthenics if possible
- Practice yoga daily to calm your mind
3) Weight loss
While weight loss helps in managing type 2 diabetes, the narrative is more around portion control - ensuring you have a good mix of healthy carbs, fats, proteins, and fibers in your diet. You can consult a dietician to get a personalized, curated diet for yourself. Shedding off some extra kilos can definitely help manage or reduce blood sugar levels.
Below are some types of food that can help with type 2 diabetes treatment.
- Consume non-starchy vegetables such as green beans, salads, broccoli, and cucumbers.
- Trust in lean proteins such as eggs, chicken, fish, and turkey.
- Add carbohydrates like berries, beans, sweet potatoes and whole-wheat bread in your diet for effective weight management.
- Eat healthy fats like nuts, natural peanut butter, avocados, and olive oil.
4) Diabetes medication or insulin therapy
If the early onset of type 2 diabetes symptoms is not treated correctly, then you might have to rely on different diabetes medications. Some of them are -
Oral diabetes medications
These medications are consumed through mouth (orally) to help manage blood sugar levels in your body. One of the most commonly prescribed medications is metformin. However, before consuming any medication, consult a healthcare professional.
Insulin therapy
Synthetic insulin can be injected into the body with syringes, pens, inhalers, or pumps. Ideally, intake of insulin is only recommended to those with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes.
5) Blood sugar monitoring
Monitoring your blood sugar levels gives you a realistic understanding of your health. You can track your sugar spikes daily and make well-informed, data-backed decisions about physical activity, food, and insulin. Through careful observation, you can predict the impact of your lifestyle and improve your well-being.
