Type 2 diabetes is one of the chronic conditions that affects millions of people around the world and accounts for around 90% of diabetes cases. This Thursday (14) is recognized as World Diabetes Day, and therefore it is worth talking even more about the condition and its characteristics.
Characterized by resistance to insulin, a hormone that controls blood glucose levels, the disease requires attention to symptoms, treatments and preventive measures to avoid complications.
Unlike type 1 diabetes, which appears in childhood or adolescence and is characterized by a lack of insulin production by the body, type 2 occurs mainly in adults and develops over time. In this case, the body becomes resistant to insulin, that is, the cells stop responding adequately to this hormone, causing glucose to accumulate in the blood.
People with a family history of diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol are more predisposed to developing the disease. For diagnosis, it is necessary to carry out blood glucose tests regularly, as per medical advice. The sooner the condition is identified, the more effective the treatment can be.
“The main cause of type 2 diabetes is metabolic. Obesity, especially visceral obesity, in which fat accumulates in the abdomen, leads to impaired insulin action, predisposing to diabetes”, explains Claudia Chang, endocrinologist.
How to identify the condition and treat it?
The symptoms of type 2 diabetes can manifest slowly and are often silent. Many people may not realize they have the condition until they undergo routine exams or until the symptoms become very noticeable.
The main symptoms of type 2 diabetes are:
- Excessive thirst
- Increase in urinary frequency
- Intense hunger
- Fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Slow healing
- Recurrent infections
Despite being a chronic condition, type 2 diabetes can be controlled through lifestyle changes and medication treatments.
“The core of treating type 2 diabetes is lifestyle change. Improving your diet and regular physical exercise are the best tools to combat the disease. Furthermore, we currently have a large arsenal of medications that we can use to assist in effective treatment,” adds Chang.
Is there a way to prevent the disease?
For people at high risk of type 2 diabetes, adopting a healthy routine can delay or even prevent the onset of the disease.
“Strategies include maintaining a healthy weight, practicing regular physical activity, adopting a balanced diet, reducing the consumption of sugars and saturated fats and avoiding excessive tobacco and alcohol consumption”, explains Tassiane Alvarenga, an endocrinologist and metabologist.
These practices not only help prevent type 2 diabetes, but also improve overall health by reducing the risk of other chronic diseases.
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This content was originally published in Type 2 Diabetes: see the symptoms and treatments of the disease on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
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