A Beginner’s Guide to Type 2 Diabetes

A Beginner’s Guide to Type 2 Diabetes

Posted on 24. Sep, 2010 by in Articles, type 2 diabetes

Recently I heard news of a neighbour who had her leg amputated because of diabetes. I already knew this was a potential complication, but seeing it happen to someone I knew, hit home. A reminder that the statistics we read refer to actual people. So I thought I’d give you a quick overview of type 2 diabetes as well as steps you can take to lower your chances of developing the condition.

What is Type 2 Diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is a serious condition whereby the pancreas (a gland behind the stomach responsible for making insulin) produces some insulin but not enough. Insulin is a hormone that converts the glucose we eat (from carbohydrates) into energy. As a result, some glucose stays in the blood rather than being used as energy.

Although there is a genetic link to type 2 diabetes, lifestyle factors play a massive role (unlike type 1 diabetes which is largely genetic). Most prevalent are being overweight or obese, eating an unhealthy diet, high blood pressure and carrying excess weight around the waist. The risk also increases the older you are, however more teenagers and children are being diagnosed with the disease at a steadily increasing rate.

What are the statistics?

2007 statistics indicate 246 million people have diabetes worldwide and it is the world’s fastest growing chronic disease. The top five countries with the disease are India (40.9 million), China (39.8), the United States (19.2), Russia (9.6) and Germany (7.4). In Australia, 2005 statistics show 1.7 million people had diabetes and 275 people in Australia develop diabetes each day. In the UK 2.5 million people have been diagnosed with diabetes. However, it is likely many people with type 2 diabetes don’t even know they have it. This is because the symptoms may not be apparent or are attributed to ageing.

What are its complications?

Once diabetes is diagnosed it is a lifelong disease. However, it can be successfully managed through positive lifestyle changes, medication and insulin injections. However, if it is not managed well, the following health problems can result:

  • Cardiovascular disease including heart disease and strokes.
  • Increased risk of kidney problems, possibly leading to kidney failure.
  • Nerve damage which can affect many parts of the body including the skin, muscles, blood vessels, the bladder and stomach. Each has its own set of complications. Nerve damage, or neuropathy can lead to amputation. Diabetes is one of the leading causes of amputation.
  • Eye problems, which if untreated can lead to blindness.

Diabetes is the 4th leading cause of death worldwide and the 6th leading cause in Australia. People with diabetes are likely to die 5-10 years sooner than those without, mainly as a result of cardiovascular disease.

Reduce your risk

  • Keep your waistline below 102cm if you are a man, or 88cm if you are a woman. A recommended healthy waistline is 94cm for a man and 80cm for a woman.
  • Give up smoking.
  • Exercise on a regular basis.
  • Eat a healthy balanced diet. This involves eating fat, salt, sugar and processed foods in moderation.
  • Know what your ideal weight range is and try to stay within it. It is believed up to 60% of cases of diabetes could be prevented if people kept a healthy weight.
  • Try to maintain normal blood pressure and cholesterol levels. This can be done by being mindful of the steps you need to take to reduce your risk of diabetes as outlined above. Your GP can test for both.

A great resource I drew upon when researching and writing this article was the diabetes Australia website. When you have a moment, take a look yourself.

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

2 Responses to “A Beginner’s Guide to Type 2 Diabetes”

  1. Dr Michael Hutch PhD

    08. Nov, 2010

    Type 2 Diabetes  - Can I eat Sugar ?
     
    Eating sugar does not cause type 2 diabetes. However, ingesting too much of it when you have the disease can cause problems. Sugar is a form of carbohydrate. Carbohydrates are important for the body to maintain energy levels. Eating too many carbohydrates at one time will cause problems however. The body takes carbohydrates and converts them into glucose that the body uses for energy. If you have Diabetes, too much glucose can cause severe problems. The body uses insulin to convert glucose into useable energy. When the glucose levels go too high, if the body cannot produce enough insulin, hyperglycemia can develop.
     
    Should you avoid sugars if you have type 2 diabetes? The answers is no. The key to being able to have your cake and eat it too, is to do it in moderation and combined with other foods. This means if you want that cake or cookie, plan it as part of a larger meal. Balance the carbohydrates in the sweet with a good dose of vegetables or healthy proteins. This will help slow down the food digestion and keep glucose levels in check. You also need to be realistic about portion sizes. You cannot eat a quarter of a cake and expect good glucose results.
     
    What foods do you need to regulate to keep sugars under control if you have type 2 diabetes? Sugars come from many sources including fruits, fruit juices, some vegetables, milk, and dairy products, sodas and sweets like cake and cookies. There is no difference in how the body takes in one carbohydrate over another. The body doesn’t distinguish whether a carbohydrates comes from an apple or a cookie. However, a difference does affect how the body takes it in. The apple has something additional going for it. The apple has pectin fiber. Pectin is a natural insulin regulator. The fiber also helps slow down food absorption. Does that mean avoid the cookie all the time? The answer is no. It just means learn about what you are eating and how it impacts your glucose levels.
     
    What else do you need to know about eating sugar with type 2 diabetes? Moderation and portion control are the two things to remember about all foods, including sugars. Spread out your sugars. Don’t eat a box of cookies at one sitting. Eat one a day for a week instead. Using your head will allow you to eat sugar.

  2. Julia Barnard

    08. Nov, 2010

    Thanks Michael for your good advice. I especially liked your advice of one cookie a day. Nice and specific – no room for confusion.

Leave a Reply