Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disease that occurs when the level of sugar (glucose) in the blood stays too high. It happens because the pancreas stops producing enough insulin and the cells no longer use glucose properly, so the sugar builds up in the blood.
For humans, glucose is the main source of energy and it comes from food. Without insulin we cannot absorb that glucose: it remains in the blood and, over time, damages the body.
Diabetes has no cure, but it can be managed with medication or injected insulin, a balanced diet, and a healthy, active lifestyle.
Some people who have diabetes say their sugar is “just a little bit high” or that they only have “prediabetes.” Even so, every case of diabetes is serious and should be taken seriously.
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form. It can appear at any age, though it is seen mostly in adults, and it can be hereditary.
Around 500 million people in the world suffer from diabetes. In Roatan, 3 out of every 10 patients we see are diabetic and, of those three, perhaps only one takes proper care of himself.
Diabetes is a dangerous disease: if you don’t take care of it, over time it will damage your body.
Problems that people with diabetes can have
- Eyes: cataract, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma.
- Heart: coronary artery disease, heart failure, and diabetic cardiomyopathy.
- Brain: stroke, dementia, depression, and cognitive dysfunction.
- Kidneys: diabetic or chronic nephropathy.
- Dental: cavities, gingivitis, periodontitis, canker sores, and dry mouth (xerostomia).
- Feet: damage to blood vessels and nerves, with numbness, low sensitivity, and infections.
Symptoms
- Fatigue and blurred vision
- Unexplained weight loss
- Frequent urge to urinate and excessive thirst
- Tingling in the hands and feet
- Increased appetite
- Wounds that won’t heal
Causes and risk factors
- Family history of diabetes
- Genetics (higher risk in American, Hispanic, Asian, and African-American populations)
- Being overweight and leading a sedentary lifestyle
- Developing insulin resistance
Diabetes mellitus is one of the leading causes of blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, strokes, and limb amputation in the world. Poorly controlled diabetes increases your chances of developing other diseases, suffering complications, and premature death. To learn more about how the disease affects your eyes, read our article on how diabetes can damage your vision.
People with diabetes are also at higher risk of complications from COVID-19, as well as cardiovascular disease and tuberculosis.
Controlling and managing diabetes
A person with diabetes must keep good control of their sugar levels: measure them daily, on an empty stomach, and write down the result in a notebook. If the levels are not normal, consult your trusted internist or endocrinologist. The endocrinologist is the specialist who treats diabetes and other conditions of the endocrine glands.
On an empty stomach
A blood sugar (glucose) level less than 120 mg/dl is considered normal.
A blood glucose level between 150 and 300 mg/dl is considered diabetes.
A person with diabetes should visit the ophthalmologist at least once a year. A dilated eye exam can detect damage early, before it causes noticeable symptoms. At our clinic in Roatan we perform complete eye exams: book your appointment to protect your vision and prevent complications.