Whether you’ve been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes or have a family history of the disease, this condition and the risk for health complications that may come with it can be scary. And with the required diet and lifestyle changes, there’s no question that this diagnosis can be a challenging one to reckon with. But living with type 2 diabetes doesn’t have to be devastating. In fact, when you’re educated about the disease — such as understanding how insulin resistance develops and how to mitigate it, knowing how to spot the signs of diabetes, and learning what to eat — you can tap into the resources you need to lead a happy, healthy life. Furthermore, there’s increasing evidence that one tactic — bariatric surgery — could reverse type 2 diabetes entirely.
In this article, delve into this information and so much more. Sit back, read on, and get ready to take charge of type 2 diabetes.
Learn More About Signs and Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes
Here are some of the factors that may affect your risk of type 2 diabetes.
Is Type 2 Diabetes Genetic?
Independent of diet and lifestyle factors, your genetics can affect your risk of type 2 diabetes, too. A1C and fasting glucose are common tests used to diagnose diabetes, but if you’re pregnant or have a hemoglobin variant, your doctor may use another method, such as:
Oral glucose tolerance testRandom blood sugar test
Prognosis of Type 2 Diabetes
Don’t lose hope, though. You don’t have to be a statistic. Receiving a prompt diagnosis can help you get your health on track and reduce your risk of complications. Indeed, if you take care to manage your blood sugar by following a healthy diet, exercising regularly, taking your prescribed medication, and losing weight, you may find your quality of life to be better with diabetes than it was before your diagnosis.
Hyperglycemia (High Blood Sugar)
High blood sugar doesn’t always produce symptoms, so it’s important to check your blood sugar regularly, as indicated by your doctor.
Frequent urinationExtreme thirstFeeling tired and weakBlurry visionFeeling hungry, even after eating
If you’ve been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, you can work with your doctor to devise a treatment plan to keep it as close to a healthy range as possible. Even after you start treatment, you may still develop hyperglycemia at times.
Missing prescribed medicines or taking medication at the wrong times or in the wrong amountsEating large portions, especially of foods with more carbs than intended or expectedNot getting enough sleepExperiencing emotional stressDoing intense exerciseHaving an illness or infection
Learn More About Hyperglycemia
Your body’s supply of glucose is used up too quickly.Glucose is released into your bloodstream too slowly.There’s too much insulin in your bloodstream.
Sudden, intense hungerDizziness or light-headednessExcessive sweating (often sudden and without regard to temperature)Shaking or tremorsSudden feelings of anxietyIrritability, mood swings, and sudden emotional outbursts that aren’t part of your normal behaviorConfusion or inability to concentrateWeakness or drowsinessBlurry visionSlurred speechSleep disturbances, including night sweats, nightmares, waking suddenly and crying out, or feelings of confusion upon wakingIf hypoglycemia isn’t treated right away, low blood sugar may result in life-threatening complications, such as seizure or coma, or even death.
People with diabetes may become hypoglycemic when they:
Take their insulin or oral diabetes medication but then skip a meal, delay eating, or eat very littleDevelop it as a side effect of other diabetes medicationExercise strenuously without adequate food intakeDrink too much alcohol
If you have type 2 diabetes, you’ve probably had a conversation with your doctor about how to treat yourself for low blood sugar.
Glucose tabletsGlucose gelJuice or regular soda (not diet)Sugar, honey, or corn syrupRaisinsHard candies, jelly beans, or gumdrops
Learn More About Hypoglycemia
Medication Options
For example, you may be prescribed the oral medication metformin (Glucophage), which can help lower your blood sugar levels. While metformin is the first-line medication for individuals with type 2 diabetes, it’s not the only diabetes medication at your disposal. Others include: GLP-1 Receptor and GIP Agonists Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) is the first drug in this class to be commercially available. It activates the GLP-1 and GIP receptors, leading to improved blood sugar control and weight loss, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Complementary and Integrative Health Approaches
Apart from these conventional medication treatment options, effective diabetes management means taking a well-rounded approach: You’ll need to eat well, exercise, manage stress, and sleep enough, because all these factors can affect your blood sugar levels. Certain complementary approaches may help support your conventional diabetes care, including certain botanical therapies, supplements, traditional Chinese medicine, mind-body therapies, and special diets like keto, research shows.
Self-Care
Here’s how they differ.
Bariatric Surgery and Type 2 Diabetes
Learn More About Treatment for Type 2 Diabetes: Medication, Alternative and Complementary Therapies, Surgery Options, and More
Learn More About the Ketogenic Diet for Type 2 Diabetes
Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes
Preventing Type 2 Diabetes Complications
Blood sugar controlBlood pressure controlBlood cholesterol control
You should discuss your level of control (and how to maintain or improve it) with your doctor at every doctor’s appointment.
Health Problems Linked to Type 2 Diabetes
If your blood sugar is frequently imbalanced, you may be at a greater risk for the following type 2 diabetes complications. Diabetic retinopathy In diabetic retinopathy, high blood sugar weakens the capillaries (the tiny blood vessels) that supply the retina, the light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the inner eye.
The capillaries then swell, become blocked, or leak blood into the center of the eye, blurring vision. In advanced stages, abnormal new blood vessels grow. Diabetic neuropathy Neuropathy, or nerve damage, can affect any nerve in your body. Most commonly, it affects the nerves in the feet, legs, hands, and arms; this condition is called peripheral neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy can cause tingling, burning, pain, or numbness in the affected areas. The pain of peripheral neuropathy is difficult to control, though some find topical products that contain capsaicin to be helpful. Diabetic nephropathy (kidney disease) In diabetic nephropathy, the nephrons (or filtering units) in the kidneys become damaged from chronic high blood sugar. High blood pressure compounds the problem, and high cholesterol appears to contribute to it as well. In the early stages of diabetic nephropathy, you may not notice any symptoms, but standard blood and urine tests can detect early signs of dysfunction, and early treatment can stop or slow its progression. Diabetic ulcer People with diabetes have an increased risk of developing foot ulcers (open sores). A diabetic ulcer is often painless, and people may not even know they have them at first. These foot ulcers can take several weeks to heal, and are a primary reason for hospital stays among people with diabetes. If you have diabetes, you may also deal with sexual issues, gum disease, sleep apnea, and red or brown lesions (diabetic dermopathy). Learn More About the Most Common Diabetes Complications and How to Prevent Them
ObesityHeart diseasePeripheral vascular diseaseStrokeNeuropathyNephropathyRetinopathyGlaucomaCataracts
Learn More About Type 2 Diabetes and the Coronavirus Everyday Health editors attend the ADCES annual meeting to connect with certified diabetes care and education specialists, registered dietitian nutritionists, and people like you, who are looking for ways to better manage blood sugar, diet, medication, and more. Check out information on the next meeting here. American Diabetes Association (ADA) The ADA is considered the leading nonprofit for type 1 and type 2 diabetes education. The ADA’s free yearlong program Living With Diabetes offers top-of-the-line resources for anyone new to living with diabetes. You’ll get access to their newsletter, expert Q&A session, and online support system, among other perks. American Heart Association (AHA) One of our favorite features from the AHA is a go-to resource for preventing heart disease: Know Diabetes by Heart. The ADA-supported initiative lays out a step-by-step guide for keeping your heart healthy while living with diabetes.
Favorite Alternative Medicine Resource
Cleveland Clinic Functional Ketogenics Program Want to give the ketogenic (“keto”) diet a whirl to better manage diabetes? This pioneering program from the Cleveland Clinic offers a way to do just that, with trained counselors who can help you adjust your diet and medication along the way.
Favorite Online Support Networks
Diabetes Daily Enter this website, and you’ll immediately feel less alone in your diabetes journey. They’ve got loads of inspiring patient stories in addition to their forum, which helps you connect with others managing diabetes. DiabetesSisters These sisters truly have your back when it comes to using insulin at the dinner table, making your emotional health a priority, and all the other stuff you don’t know how to bring up with your diabetes care team. They rotate bloggers on a three- to six-month basis to share their diabetes journeys in their own words. And don’t let the site name fool you: “Diabetes Misters” are welcome too. For more of our favorite diabetes blogs, check out our list.
Favorite Site for Diabetes Products
Diabetes Forecast Consumer Guide The FOMO on diabetes products ends now. This feature by the magazine and website Diabetes Forecast rounds up the best of the best in CGMs (continuous glucose monitors), glucagon kits, insulin pens, and more.
Favorite Resource for Diet Advice
Joslin Diabetes Center Giving up some of the foods you once loved is arguably the biggest bummer about receiving a diabetes diagnosis. But with this Harvard-affiliated organization’s expert diet guidance, you don’t have to. For more on “bad” foods you can eat in a diabetes diet, check out our article “5 ‘Bad’ Diabetes Foods You Can Enjoy in Moderation.”
Favorite Resource for Becoming an Advocate
International Diabetes Federation (IDF) Want to get involved? The IDF, which reaches 168 countries, makes it easy with their advocacy network page. You’ll find different organizations that you can work with to help propel diabetes research, legislation, and awareness.
Favorite App
mySugr
If you’re looking to home in on your A1C goal, this app’s for you. It lets you analyze dips and rises in your blood sugar, offers education about blood sugar management, allows you to work with a CDE virtually, and even links data from certain diabetes devices. For more of our favorite diabetes apps, check out our list.
