Essential Facts About Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease that affects the way the body metabolizes glucose, the body’s main source of energy. Carriers with type 2 diabetes may either have a resistance to the effects of insulin, a hormone that regulates the entry of sugar into cells, or they may not produce enough insulin to maintain a normal glucose level. When left untreated, diabetes can be fatal. So, let’s get to know the 10 Essential Facts about Type 2 Diabetes .

1. Type 2 Diabetes is the most common type: Type 2 Diabetes affects thousands of people around the world and about 15 million Brazilians, and this is for numerous reasons. This health problem is chronic, and affects the entire functioning of the body, so if the patient does not seek treatment, he begins to deal with many bad situations, especially regarding the malfunction of the body.

2. Type 2 Diabetes Risk Factors: Type 2 Diabetes Risk Factors are some signs that everyone should watch out for, especially those who have diabetes in their family history. But there are some conditions that increase the risk:

• Age over 45 years.
• Obesity and overweight.
• Previous gestational diabetes.
• Family history of type 2 diabetes .
• Pre-diabetes.
• Sedentary lifestyle.
• Low levels of HDL cholesterol.
• Elevated triglycerides.
• Hypertension.
• High alcohol consumption.

3. If you have diabetes, you must control your blood glucose: One of the ways to know if treatment for Type 2 Diabetes is working is to control your blood glucose levels.

4. Diet control: People with type 2 diabetes should avoid sugars present in sweets and simple carbohydrates, such as pasta and bread, as they have a very high glycemic index. When a food has a low glycemic index, it slows down the absorption of glucose, which is not concentrated in the blood. But when the index is high, this absorption is rapid and accelerates the increase in blood glucose levels, generating hyperglycemia .

A meal plan to better manage diabetes is simply a healthy eating pattern that we should all follow. Also, a balanced diet that includes vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fat-free dairy, healthy fats, and lean meats or meat substitutes are always good alternatives.

5. Losing weight will improve your health: Weight loss improves the body’s ability to process glucose and use insulin. Furthermore, studies conducted have found that overweight people who lose weight are able to delay or prevent the development of type 2 diabetes .

6. Oral health is especially important if you have diabetes: Type 2 diabetes increases the risk of mouth problems such as dry mouth, thrush, and periodontal disease, gingivitis. Periodontal disease gingivitis can make it more difficult to control blood glucose. Make sure you maintain good oral hygiene, such as brushing and flossing every day, and see your doctor for regular checkups.

7. Diabetes increases the risk of eye problems: Between 40 to 45 percent of people with type 2 diabetes have some amount of diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy is when the retina is the layer of the eye where cells that receive light, process images and carry this information to the brain are housed. With the prolonged excess of sugar in the blood, the blood vessels of the retina deteriorate and become more permeable, allowing the extravasation of blood and fluid: the so-called edema. In addition, Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in Brazil and Other complications of type 2 diabetes include cataracts and glaucoma.

8. Heart health is another big concern: High blood glucose levels cause damage to nerves and blood vessels over time. These factors increase the risk of heart disease and stroke – at least twice as high as someone who doesn’t have diabetes. In addition, heart attack and stroke are the leading causes of death among people with type 2 diabetes.

9. Type 2 diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure: Even when diabetes is under control, there is a risk of chronic kidney failure. Furthermore, out of 10,000 people diagnosed with kidney failure in Brazil each year, around 44 percent of cases are caused by complications of diabetes.