"Diabetes" is a very common word among many people in our country. Perhaps a doctor has told a family member, a friend, or even you, "You have diabetes." It's normal to feel a little scared at that time. But if you understand this correctly , you can live a healthy life with it. Although there are several main types of diabetes, the most common type among adults is Type 2 Diabetes . That's what we're talking about today.
Simply put, what is Type 2 Diabetes?
Okay, let's put it very simply. The food we eat, especially those containing carbohydrates (starches), gives our bodies energy in the form of a type of sugar called glucose . Once this glucose enters our blood, it goes into our body's cells and becomes energy. Just like gasoline for our car, glucose is what fuels our body's cells.
Now, to send this glucose into the cells, we need a 'key'. That key is what we call insulin . Insulin is a hormone produced by our pancreas.
Two main things happen in the body of a person with type 2 diabetes:
1. Insulin Resistance: The body's cells, like a rusty lock, do not respond properly to the key called insulin. This makes it difficult for glucose to enter the cells.
2. Insulin deficiency: Over time, the pancreas becomes exhausted from meeting this demand, and the amount of insulin it produces becomes insufficient.
For these two reasons, glucose, which cannot enter the cells, starts to accumulate in the blood. That's what we call "high blood sugar." If this condition persists for a long time, it can affect our entire body.
Do you also have these symptoms?
The most dangerous thing about type 2 diabetes is that it sometimes doesn't show any symptoms in the early stages. Some people have symptoms, but they may be so subtle that they go unnoticed. However, if you have one or more of the following symptoms, it is very important to see your doctor for advice.
| Symptom | Simple Explanation |
|---|---|
| Frequent thirst and urination | As the kidneys try to excrete excess sugar in the blood through urine, urine volume increases. At the same time, thirst increases as water is lost from the body. |
| Feeling hungrier than usual | Because glucose doesn't get into the cells, the body doesn't get the energy it needs. So the brain gets signals to "eat more." |
| Sudden tiredness and fatigue | Because the cells do not receive energy (glucose), the body feels weak and tired. |
| Blurred vision | High blood sugar levels can cause the lens of the eye to change shape. This can be temporary or it can be the beginning of long-term damage. |
| Numbness or tingling in the limbs | High blood sugar levels over a long period of time can cause nerve damage. This is called ``Diabetic Neuropathy''. |
| Delayed wound healing | High blood sugar levels can cause poor circulation and a weakened immune system, which can slow down the healing of wounds. |
| Unintentional weight loss | When glucose cannot be used for energy, the body starts burning muscle and fat, which results in weight loss. |
| Frequent infections (especially urinary and skin) | Sugar is a good breeding ground for bacteria and fungi, and a weakened immune system makes us more susceptible to infections. |
| Dark spots on the skin (neck, armpits) | We call this condition ``(Acanthosis Nigricans)``. This is one of the symptoms of insulin resistance. |
How does diabetes affect other parts of our body?
This is where we all need to focus the most. Diabetes is not just a problem of blood sugar levels. Uncontrolled high blood sugar levels over a long period of time cause serious damage to our blood vessels. Like a rusting iron pipe, our blood vessels slowly begin to deteriorate from the inside out.
Diabetes is not just a disease of controlling blood sugar levels. It is also a condition that requires you to think about protecting your heart, eyes, kidneys, and nervous system.
The main complications that can occur due to this are:
- Heart Disease and Stroke: A person with diabetes is twice as likely to have a heart attack or stroke as someone without diabetes. In fact, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in people with diabetes.
- Kidney Disease: The delicate blood vessels in our kidneys that filter our blood can become damaged, and over time, the kidneys can fail.
- Vision Loss: Damage to the blood vessels that supply the retina of the eye can lead to vision loss and eventually blindness.
- Nerve Damage: Nerve damage, especially in the feet, can cause numbness, inflammation, and loss of sensation. This can lead to wounds on the feet that go unnoticed, festering, and serious infections.
So how do we control this situation?
This may sound scary to you. But the good news is that we can prevent or delay all of these complications . All you have to do is control your diabetes well. This is not something you can do alone. It is a team effort between you and your doctor .
There are a few main things to pay attention to:
- A healthy diet: Reduce sugar, flour, and fatty foods and eat more vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains. You can seek advice from your doctor or a nutritionist about this.
- Regular exercise: It is very important to engage in simple exercise, such as brisk walking, for at least 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week.
- Prescribed Medications: It is essential to take the medications prescribed by your doctor, at the prescribed times and in the prescribed doses. Never stop taking medications or change the dosage without your doctor's advice.
- Regular checkups: Visit your doctor on time and check your blood sugar levels, cholesterol levels, blood pressure, etc. It is also very important to have your eyes and feet checked at least once a year.
Take-Home Message
- Type 2 diabetes is a condition in which blood sugar levels rise because the body cannot properly use the hormone insulin.
- Be aware of symptoms like frequent thirst , frequent urination, fatigue, and blurred vision. Don't ignore these.
- Uncontrolled diabetes can seriously damage your heart, kidneys, eyes, and nerves.
- By working closely with your doctor, you can better control this condition through lifestyle changes (diet, exercise) and prescribed medications.
- Diabetes is not a death warrant. If you manage it properly, you too can live a full, healthy life.
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