Q: What is Type 2 diabetes?

A: Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that affects the way your body processes blood sugar (glucose). It occurs when the body becomes resistant to insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels, or when the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin. This results in elevated blood sugar levels, which can lead to various health complications if not managed properly.

Q: What are the risk factors for developing Type 2 diabetes?

A: Several factors can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, including being overweight, leading a sedentary lifestyle, having a family history of diabetes, being over the age of 45, having high blood pressure, and having certain ethnic backgrounds.

Q: Can it be prevented?

A: Yes, in many cases, type 2 diabetes can be prevented or delayed by making certain lifestyle changes. Maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet rich in lean proteins, vegetables, and whole grains, avoiding refined sugar and simple starches, engaging in regular physical activity, avoiding tobacco and excessive alcohol consumption, and managing stress can all contribute to reducing the risk of developing diabetes.

Q: What are the symptoms of Type 2 diabetes?

A: The symptoms of type 2 diabetes can vary from person to person, but commonly include increased thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, increased hunger, fatigue, blurred vision, slow healing of wounds, and frequent infections. However, some people may not experience any noticeable symptoms, which is why regular check-ups and screenings are essential for early detection.

Q: How is Type 2 diabetes diagnosed?

A: Typically is diagnosed through blood tests. The two commonly used tests are the fasting plasma glucose (FPG) test, which measures your blood sugar level after fasting for at least 8 hours, and the HbA1C test, which gives us a clearer idea of how your blood sugar has behaved over a period of time.

Q: What are the treatment options?

A: Treatment for type 2 diabetes often involves a combination of healthy lifestyle changes, medication, and regular monitoring. Lifestyle changes may include adopting a balanced diet, avoiding sugar and reducing carbohydrates, engaging in regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, and managing stress.

Q: Are there any complications associated with Type 2 diabetes?

A: Yes, if left uncontrolled, type 2 diabetes can lead to various complications affecting different parts of the body. These complications can include heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, nerve damage (neuropathy), eye problems (retinopathy), foot problems, skin conditions, hearing impairment, and an increased risk of infections. However, by managing blood sugar levels effectively and adopting a healthy lifestyle, the risk of complications can be significantly reduced.