Understanding the Symptoms, Causes, and Complications of Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how the body processes blood sugar (glucose). It is the most common form of diabetes and is characterized by high blood sugar levels, which can cause a range of symptoms and associated conditions if not properly managed. In this blog post, we will discuss the signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes, why they occur, and the associated conditions that can develop as a result of uncontrolled blood sugar levels.
Signs and Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes:
The following are common signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes:
Increased thirst and frequent urination: High blood sugar levels can cause you to feel dehydrated, leading to increased thirst and the need to urinate more often.
Fatigue: Type 2 diabetes can make you feel tired and worn out, even after sleeping for a long time.
Blurred vision: High blood sugar levels can cause fluid to build up in the lenses of your eyes, leading to blurred vision.
Slow-healing cuts and bruises: High blood sugar levels can affect your body's ability to heal itself, causing cuts and bruises to take longer to heal.
Numbness or tingling in the feet: High blood sugar levels can damage nerves in your feet, leading to numbness or tingling sensations.
Yeast infections: High blood sugar levels can cause yeast infections in women, particularly in the genital area.
Dark, velvety patches on the skin: High blood sugar levels can cause dark, velvety patches of skin, particularly in the folds and creases of your body, such as the neck and armpits.
Why They Occur:
Type 2 diabetes occurs when your body is unable to produce enough insulin or use insulin effectively. Insulin is a hormone produced by your pancreas that helps regulate your blood sugar levels. When your body is unable to produce enough insulin, or use insulin effectively, your blood sugar levels rise, leading to the symptoms and associated conditions associated with type 2 diabetes.
Risk Factors for Type 2 Diabetes:
The following are risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes:
Age: The risk of developing type 2 diabetes increases as you get older.
Family history: If someone in your family has type 2 diabetes, you are at a higher risk of developing the condition.
Overweight or obesity: Being overweight or obese increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Sedentary lifestyle: A lack of physical activity increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
High blood pressure: High blood pressure increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
High cholesterol levels: High cholesterol levels increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): Women with PCOS are at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Fact: According to Harvard University, 85 % of individuals with type 2 diabetes are overweight.
Associated Conditions:
Uncontrolled blood sugar levels can lead to a range of associated conditions, including:
Cardiovascular disease: High blood sugar levels can increase your risk of developing cardiovascular disease, such as heart attack and stroke.
Nerve damage: High blood sugar levels can damage nerves throughout your body, leading to conditions such as diabetic neuropathy.
Kidney damage: High blood sugar levels can damage your kidneys, leading to conditions such as diabetic nephropathy.
Eye damage: High blood sugar levels can damage the blood vessels in your eyes, leading to conditions such as diabetic retinopathy.
Foot damage
