Understanding Type 2 Diabetes

In type 2 diabetes, your body isn’t able to effectively use insulin to bring glucose into your cells. This causes your body to rely on alternative energy sources in your tissues, muscles, and organs. This is a chain reaction that can cause a variety of symptoms.

Type 2 diabetes can develop slowly. The symptoms may be mild and easy to dismiss at first. The early symptoms may include:

• constant hunger
• a lack of energy
• fatigue
• weight loss
• excessive thirst
• frequent urination
• dry mouth
• itchy skin
• blurry vision

As the disease progresses, the symptoms become more severe and potentially dangerous.

If your blood glucose levels have been high for a long time, the symptoms can include:

• yeast infections
• slow-healing cuts or sores
• dark patches on your skin, a condition known as acanthosis nigricans
• foot pain
• feelings of numbness in your extremities, or neuropathy

If you have two or more of these symptoms, you should see your doctor. Without treatment, diabetes can become life-threatening. Discover other symptoms of type 2 diabetes.

Insulin is a naturally occurring hormone. Your pancreas produces it and releases it when you eat. Insulin helps transport glucose from your bloodstream to cells throughout your body, where it’s used for energy.

If you have type 2 diabetes, your body becomes resistant to insulin. Your body is no longer using the hormone efficiently. This forces your pancreas to work harder to make more insulin.

Over time, this can damage cells in your pancreas. Eventually, your pancreas may not be able to produce any insulin.

If you don’t produce enough insulin or if your body doesn’t use it efficiently, glucose builds up in your bloodstream. This leaves your body’s cells starved for energy. Doctors don’t know exactly what triggers this series of events.

It may have to do with cell dysfunction in the pancreas or with cell signaling and regulation. In some people, the liver produces too much glucose. There may be a genetic predisposition to developing type 2 diabetes.

There’s definitely a genetic predisposition to obesity, which increases the risk of insulin resistance and diabetes. There could also be an environmental trigger.

Most likely, it’s a combination of factors that increases the risk of type 2 diabetes. Find out more about the causes of diabetes.

You can effectively manage type 2 diabetes. Your doctor will tell you how often you should check your blood glucose levels. The goal is to stay within a specific range.

Follow these tips to manage type 2 diabetes:

• Include foods rich in fiber and healthy carbohydrates in your diet. Eating fruits, vegetables, and whole grains will help keep your blood glucose levels steady.
• Eat at regular intervals
• Only eat until you’re full.
• Control your weight and keep your heart healthy. That means keeping refined carbohydrates, sweets, and animal fats to a minimum.
• Get about half an hour of aerobic activity daily to help keep your heart healthy. Exercise helps to control blood glucose, too.

Your doctor will explain how to recognize the early symptoms of blood sugar that’s too high or too low and what to do in each situation. They’ll also help you learn which foods are healthy and which foods aren’t.

Not everyone with type 2 diabetes needs to use insulin. If you do, it’s because your pancreas isn’t making enough insulin on its own. It’s crucial that you take insulin as directed. There are other prescription medications that may help as well.

In some cases, lifestyle changes are enough to keep type 2 diabetes under control. If not, there are several medications that may help. Some of these medications are:

• metformin, which can lower your blood glucose levels and improve how your body responds to insulin — it’s the preferred treatment for most people with type 2 diabetes
• sulfonylureas, which are oral medications that help your body make more insulin
• meglitinides, which are fast-acting, short-duration medications that stimulate your pancreas to release more insulin
• thiazolidinediones, which make your body more sensitive to insulin
• dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors, which are milder medications that help reduce blood glucose levels
• glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, which slow digestion and improve blood glucose levels
• sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, which help prevent the kidneys from reabsorbing glucose into the blood and sending it out in your urine

Each of these medications can cause side effects. It may take some time to find the best medication or combination of medications to treat your diabetes.

If your blood pressure or cholesterol levels are a problem, you may need medications to address those needs as well.

If your body can’t make enough insulin, you may need insulin therapy. You may only need a long-acting injection you can take at night, or you may need to take insulin several times per day. Learn about other medications that can help you manage diabetes.

Diet is an important tool to keep your heart healthy and blood glucose levels within a safe and healthy range. It doesn’t have to be complicated or unpleasant.

The diet recommended for people with type 2 diabetes is the same diet just about everyone should follow. It boils down to a few key actions:

• Eat meals and snacks on schedule.
• Choose a variety of foods that are high in nutrients and low in empty calories.
• Be careful not to overeat.
• Read food labels closely.

Foods and beverages to avoid

There are certain foods and beverages that you should limit or avoid entirely. These include:

• foods heavy in saturated or trans fats
• organ meats, such as beef or liver
• processed meats
• shellfish
• margarine and shortening
• baked goods such as white bread, bagels
• processed snacks
• sugary drinks, including fruit juices
• high-fat dairy products
• pasta or white rice

Skipping salty foods and fried foods is also recommended. Check out this list of other foods and drinks to steer clear of if you have diabetes.

Foods to choose

Healthy carbohydrates can provide you with fiber. The options include:

• whole fruits
• non-starchy vegetables
• legumes, such as beans
• whole grains such as oats or quinoa
• sweet potatoes

Foods with heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids include:

• tuna
• sardines
• salmon
• mackerel
• halibut
• cod
• flax seeds

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You can get healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats from a number of foods, including:

• oils, such as olive oil, canola oil, and peanut oil
• nuts, such as almonds, pecans, and walnuts
• avocados

Although these options for healthy fats are good for you, they’re also high in calories. Moderation is key. Opting for low-fat dairy products will also keep your fat intake under control. Discover more diabetes-friendly foods, from cinnamon to shirataki noodles.

The bottom line

Talk to your doctor about your personal nutrition and calorie goals. Together, you can come up with a diet plan that tastes great and suits your lifestyle needs. Explore carb counting and the Mediterranean diet, along with other approaches, here.