Type II diabetes is more common in adults or children with obesity. It is also called non insulin-dependent diabetes, and it is a chronic condition that affects your body’s ability to metabolize sugar (glucose), which is your body’s most important source of fuel. If you have type II diabetes, your body is insulin-resistant or does not produce enough insulin. Insulin is a natural hormone that regulates how sugar moves into your cells.

Work With Your Physician

Getting as much support as possible from your doctor is vitally important. So, choose a physician who communicates with you and who has a great support staff. Your insurance plan may also require a doctor’s referral for visits to the other health professionals and specialists, which will include the following.

  • Endocrinologists help diagnose and treat hormone imbalances and problems. They assist in the restoring of the body’s hormonal levels to the normal balance.
  • Pharmacists provide safe and effective medication use.
  • Nutritionists can provide counseling on nutritional issues.

Medical Conditions Related to Type II Diabetes

  • Heart and blood vessel disease. Diabetes dramatically increases the risk of various cardiovascular problems, including coronary artery disease and high blood pressure.
  • Nerve damage (neuropathy). Excess sugar harms the walls of the tiny blood vessels (capillaries) that nourish nerves. This particularly impacts the legs, causing tingling or numbness in toes or fingers; this gradually spreads upward.
  • Kidney damage (nephropathy). The kidneys contain millions of blood vessel clusters that filter wastes out of the body. Diabetes damages this delicate filtering system.
  • Eye damage. Diabetes increases the risk of blindness, as well as cataracts and glaucoma.
  • Foot damage. Nerve damage or poor blood flow to the feet increases the risk of diabetic complications. Left untreated, it’s likely cuts and blisters will become serious infections.
  • Hearing impairments are more common in diabetic people.
  • Skin conditions. Diabetes makes you susceptible to skin problems, such as bacterial and fungal infections.
  • Alzheimer’s disease. Type II diabetes has been associated with a higher risk of Alzheimer’s.

Prevention

Your physician can make specific recommendations on how to control your type II diabetes or to prevent it if you are just presenting symptoms.

Weight, Diet and Exercise

Such a simple list but so hard to follow. This is another area where you will need to consult with your physician for recommendations. If you are struggling, ask for a referral to a dietitian so that you can follow a strict diet.

  • Lose Weight
  • Eat Better
  • Increase Activity

Do You Need Medicine?

If you’re at high risk for type II diabetes, your doctor can prescribe medication to hold it off. Several studies show that various types of drugs, combined with a healthy lifestyle, drastically reduce the odds that you will develop type II diabetes.

Stay positive and focused on your health, and you can control this disease.

Control Your High Blood Pressure CTA