Type-2 Diabetes
Medically reviewed by Shanmukha Priya, M.Phil and Ph.D. in Food Science and Nutrition
Type 2 Diabetes or Diabetes Mellitus is spreading in India in a way no less than an epidemic does with over 62 million people already diagnosed with the disease.
Back in 2000, India actually topped the world with the highest number of people suffering from Type 2 Diabetes, the number soaring to 31.7 million.
China with its 20.8 million Type 2 Diabetes patients ranking second on the list followed by the United States with 17.7 million individuals suffering from Diabetes Mellitus.
According to research, the number of individuals suffering from Diabetes Mellitus in the world is expected to increase from 171 million in 2000 to 366 million in 2030, with the maximum rise of diabetic individuals in India, which is quite a daunting figure [1].
This data should be a good enough signal for all of us to start analyzing our lifestyle and see how we can keep Diabetes Mellitus at bay.
As is true for any other disease, there are always sets of people who are more prone to specific diseases.
In this section, let us talk about the risk factors that play a role in making individuals susceptible to contracting Type 2 Diabetes.
Being overweight is one of the major reasons which lead to Type 2 Diabetes. Presence of excessive fatty tissues in your body makes you insulin resistant.
If you have a tendency to accumulate fat on your belly, you are more prone to contracting Diabetes Mellitus.
Leading a sedentary lifestyle, which means less or no physical activity exposes you to greater risk of Type 2 Diabetes.
It is a known fact that physical activity helps you lose weight and thus helps you to stay away from Diabetes Mellitus.
You are at an increased risk of Type 2 Diabetes if your family has a history of carrying the disease, both maternal and paternal sides.
The risk of type 2 diabetes increases if your parent or sibling has type 2 diabetes.
It is still unclear why people belonging to certain races like blacks, Hispanics, American Indians and Asian-Americans are more susceptible to contract Type 2 Diabetes than their white counterparts.
The risk to contracting Type 2 Diabetes exponentially in increases as you near your late 40’s.
That is primarily because as you age, you tend to start leading a sedentary lifestyle, lose muscle mass and gain weight.
But today our youth and even kids are highly exposed to Diabetes Mellitus due to their overexposure to junk food and the virtual world (which leaves them with no time for outdoor activities)
You are at a higher risk to diabetes if your blood sugar is higher than the normal cut-off. This prediabetes condition, if left untreated, often leads to Diabetes Mellitus.
There are quite high chances of you getting Type 2 Diabetes in future if you developed gestational diabetes while you were pregnant.
Women who suffer from PCOS, which is a common medical condition amongst women, are at a higher risk of developing Diabetes Mellitus in future.
So by now, you must have analyzed whether you fall into the category of individuals who are likely to develop Type 2 Diabetes in future. So here we have a list of 6 warning signs you must look out for if you feel you are at risk to Diabetes Mellitus.
Diabetes is so widespread and yet its awareness is still very low. Therefore, the first step in fighting it is to know it and its different signs.
Type 2 Diabetes When leads to a build-up of excessive sugar in your bloodstream, it pulls out fluid from your tissues, which leaves you thirsty and with an increased thirst every few minutes.
As a result, you drink more water and end up frequently urinating.
Diabetes Mellitus When hits you, it makes you insulin resistant. With not enough insulin in your body to transport sugar into your cells, your body gets depleted of energy, which gives rise to unusual and untimely hunger pangs.
To your surprise, you will notice that you are losing weight in spite of taking a normal diet. You may feel elated at this at first, but you may be in for a shock!
This usually happens when body is not able to metabolize glucose, it uses alternative energy sources that are stored in muscle and fat. You also lose calories in the form of excess glucose which is released in the urine.
In case of Diabetes Mellitus, you often feel tired and irritable because of deprivation of sugar from your cells.
When the blood sugar level crosses the desired limit, the fluid from your eyes start getting pulled, which in turn affects your vision and ability to focus.
The Diabetes Mellitus slows your ability to heal and resist infections, cuts and sores.
Individuals suffering from Type 2 Diabetes develop dark patches of skin in the folds of their bodies, particularly neck and armpit. This is called Acanthosis Nigricans, which happens because of insulin resistance.
As we have repeatedly spoken about the direct relationship between blood sugar levels and Type 2 Diabetes, it is quite certain that diet plays an important role in preventing and managing Diabetes Mellitus.
Let us now read up about best and worst foods to eat when you are suffering from Type 2 Diabetes.
By now you are fairly knowledgeable about Type 2 Diabetes and the havoc it can play with your body.
So stand up for yourself and against Type 2 Diabetes!
Possible is truly with you in this fight against the epidemic of Diabetes Mellitus.
Talk to our Possible Nutritionist today and find out more about how to lead a Diabetes free life. The first consultation is on us. Click here.
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I had almost all these syntoms but got tested today and was not a diabetic so i am happy. :)
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