Type 2 Diabetes is a serious but common condition that results in too much glucose (sugar) circulating in the bloodstream. As a result, the sufferer can experience circulatory, nervous and immune disorders with tiredness, excessive thirst and needing to pee a lot all common symptoms.
Here, we’ll explain the symptoms and early signs of Type 2 Diabetes, what causes it, how it’s diagnosed and treated and what it means for your diet. For more information and support in navigating this condition, sign up to Carecircle and connect with fellow patients, carers and other experts.
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What is Type 2 Diabetes?
Type 2 Diabetes is a serious but common condition that impairs the body’s ability to regulate and use glucose (sugar) as fuel, causing the level of sugar in the blood to become too high. This is a result of the pancreas not producing enough insulin to regulate sugar in your cells and the cells’ inability to respond to the insulin.
The condition can cause serious circulatory, nervous and immune issues with problems arising in the eyes, heart and nerves. Diabetes Type 2 can have a big impact on everyday life and many sufferers will need to make diet and lifestyle changes and attend regular check-ups.
Type 2 Diabetes symptoms
Compared to Type 1 Diabetes, symptoms for Type 2 Diabetes symptoms develop more slowly and many sufferers may not know they have it.
If you are feeling symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes, you may experience:
- The need to pee more often, especially at night
- Extreme tiredness – this is due to the body’s cells not receiving enough glucose for energy
- Unintended weight loss
- Genital itching or thrush
- Blurred vision
- Extreme thirst
- Cuts and wounds take longer to heal
- Numbness in the hands and feet
- Increased hunger
Early signs of Type 2 Diabetes
It’s important to diagnose Type 2 Diabetes as soon as possible so that you can start your treatment and manage your condition straight away. The first signs and symptoms of Diabetes Type 2 are usually frequent urination, extreme thirst, increased hunger, numbness, dry mouth, itchy skin, irritability, fatigue and unintended weight loss.
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What causes Type 2 Diabetes?
Type 2 Diabetes is caused by issues with a chemical in your body called insulin. We all need insulin to live as it allows glucose (sugar) to enter our cells and provide fuel for our bodies.
When you have Type 2 Diabetes, your produce extra glucose by breaking down carbohydrates from your food and drink. To respond to this, your pancreas releases insulin that is unable to work properly. This process can tire out the pancreas, causing the body to produce less insulin. This can further increase your blood sugar levels and put you at risk of hyperglycaemia.
People are more at risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes if they:
- Are overweight or obese
- Are over 40 (or 25 for South Asian people)
- Have a close family member with diabetes
- Are of Asian, African-Caribbean or Black African origin
How is Type 2 Diabetes diagnosed?
Type 2 Diabetes is usually diagnosed through blood and urine tests for something else. If you are visiting your GP with concerns you have Type 2 Diabetes, your GP will take samples and the results will be ready within 1 or 2 days.
If you are diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, your doctor will talk to you about what the condition means, what high blood sugar means for your health, whether medicine is required and your diet, exercise habits and lifestyle choices. At this point, your doctor may also prescribe medicine, recommend diet and lifestyle changes and schedule regular check-ups. If Type 2 Diabetes is not diagnosed but your blood sugar levels are still high, you may have a condition called Prediabetes, which puts you at risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes at a later stage.
Sometimes, Type 2 Diabetes can lead to dementia. This is because the condition affects the heart and heart health is strongly related to brain health. As a result, Type 2 Diabetes can be sometimes diagnosed during a dementia test. This is because the blood samples that are taken during a dementia test also check liver function, kidney function, thyroid function, vitamin B12 and folate levels and haemoglobin A1c (to check for diabetes). Because diabetes and dementia can cause similar symptoms, it’s important to first determine whether or not the patient has diabetes.
Diabetes test
The only way diabetes can be officially diagnosed is by testing the blood to check glucose levels. Blood samples are sent to a laboratory and blood test results are usually ready within a couple of days. If you’re rushed to the hospital with severe symptoms of diabetes, test results may be ready within a couple of hours.
Types of tests for diabetes include a HbA1c test, which tests your average blood sugar levels for the last two to three months. This is a quick and simple test that takes a small amount of blood from a vein in your arm. Another one is the random blood glucose test, which is done through a finger prick or a vein in your arm. Finger-prick tests produce results straight away, while blood tests through veins take a couple of days.
Other diabetes blood tests include the fasting blood sugar test, which requires you to fast for at least eight hours before to prevent any interference with the test, and the glucose tolerance test (GTT). The GTT involves both a fasting test and a follow-up test two hours later after you’ve had a sweet drink. This is to check whether your blood can maintain a normal blood sugar level.
Some people wondering how to test for diabetes may look at home testing kits using finger pricks. While these are good for checking high blood sugar levels, they are not an accurate indicator of whether or not a person has diabetes.
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What to do if you have Type 2 Diabetes?
If you are experiencing symptoms and think you may have Type 2 Diabetes, you should see your GP. They will check your urine and arrange a blood test to check your blood sugar levels. Results usually come back within 1 or 2 days.
From there, your GP will advise suitable treatments which may include treatments and lifestyle changes. A Type 2 Diabetes diet sheet UK can also outline suitable foods and drinks to eat and avoid.
You can also join Carecircle for free and find help, hope, and control with your Type 2 Diabetes over on our global network for health. You’ll join a worldwide community where your voice matters.
Type 2 Diabetes Treatment
Treatments of Type 2 Diabetes help to manage your blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of severe complications. They include:
- Eating healthily and exercising regularly
- Medications such as tablets or injections — these may or may not contain insulin
- Weight loss surgery
Many people may need to be on a combination of the above treatments. Everybody is different and your GP will be able to recommend the most suitable treatment for you.
To find help, hope and control with your Type 2 Diabetes, you can also join Carecircle for free. Our global network for health makes you part of a worldwide community where your voice matters.
Type 2 Diabetes diet
As part of your Type 2 Diabetes treatment, you may be recommended a change in diet. This is because a healthy diabetic diet can help manage your blood sugar level and keep your weight under control. If you are diagnosed with the condition, it is recommended that you:
- Eat a variety of healthy foods including fruit, vegetables and starchy food like potatoes and pasta
- Reduce your salt, sugar and fat intake
- Eat breakfast, lunch and dinner every day (don’t skip any meals)
If you have been diagnosed with Prediabetes, you may be recommended a prediabetes diet consisting of fruit, vegetables and starchy foods.
Type 2 Diabetes medication
Most people with Type 2 Diabetes are required to take medication — this can often be for the rest of their life.
In situations where these medicines aren’t working well enough, you may be prescribed insulin. This is usually administered via an insulin pen injection, which helps to keep your blood sugar levels down. Sometimes this is recommended only for a short period of time — for example, if you are pregnant or ill.
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Type 2 Diabetes FAQs
It’s natural to have questions about Type 2 Diabetes. Here are the answers to some FAQs.
What foods to avoid with diabetes?
Carbohydrates are the main food group that has the greatest effect on your blood sugar. This is because the body breaks them down into glucose, which is absorbed into your bloodstream.
Type 2 Diabetes foods to avoid include white bread, pasta and rice, sugar-sweetened beverages, artificial trans fats like margarine, peanut butter and frozen dinners, fruity yoghurts, sweetened cereals, dried fruit, honey, maple syrup, packaged snacks, french fries and fruit juice. Refined carbohydrates, unhealthy fats, processed grains and liquid sugars should basically be avoided.
What foods can diabetics eat freely?
It is important to have a healthy, balanced diet when you have Type 2 Diabetes and even the best foods for your condition should be eaten in moderation. That said, you don’t need to worry about too many vegetables in your diabetic diet as they’re great for fibre and contain very little fat and salt.
Fresh fruit, whole grain brown rice, porridge oats, quinoa, sweet potato, plant-based proteins, fish, seafood, eggs, chicken, nuts, seeds and low-fat dairy are all recommended as good diabetic foods. You should also drink plenty of water.
Can you reverse Type 2 Diabetes?
While Type 2 Diabetes cannot be reversed or cured, there are many ways to get your blood sugar levels into a healthy range. These include eating a healthy diabetic diet, getting regular exercise, losing weight and taking medication.
What fruit can diabetics eat?
Fresh fruit is a great choice for those with Type 2 Diabetes as it contains fibre, which fills you up without raising your blood sugar levels. The best fruits to eat include berries like strawberries, blueberries and raspberries, apples, oranges, apricots, peaches, pears and kiwis.
Fruits that should be eaten in moderation include cherries, grapes, bananas, mangoes and watermelons. This is because they are relatively high in carbohydrates and rank high on the glycemic index.
Is Type 2 diabetes genetic?
Type 2 Diabetes has a strong link to family history. If a close relative (a parent or sibling, for example) has Type 2 Diabetes, you are at more risk of developing the condition. You are also more likely to develop Type 2 Diabetes if you are of Asian, African-Caribbean or black African origin.
Join Carecircle for free and find help, hope, and control with your Type 2 Diabetes. Our global network for health makes you part of a worldwide community where your voice matters. Together, we can work toward a better future.
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Type 2 Diabetes Resources
If you’re suffering from the effects of Type 2 Diabetes, you may find the following resources and links useful:
Type 2 Diabetes is a common but serious condition that causes blood sugar levels to become too high. Symptoms include the need to pee more often, excessive thirst and fatigue and you are more at risk of developing the condition if you are overweight, over 40, have a close family member with the condition or are of Asian, African-Caribbean or Black African origin. While there is no cure or reverse, fortunately, there are ways to manage the condition including medication and diet and lifestyle changes.
It’s never too late to join the conversation on Type 2 Diabetes. Sign up to Carecircle for free and find help, hope and control with your Type 2 Diabetes diagnosis. Our global network for health makes you part of a worldwide community where your voice matters. Together, we can work toward a better future.
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Guide Sources
- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/type-2-diabetes/symptoms/
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/type-2-diabetes/symptoms-causes/syc-20351193
- https://www.diabetes.org.uk/diabetes-the-basics/types-of-diabetes/type-2
- https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/whats-the-relationship-between-diabetes-and-dementia-202107122546
- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dementia/diagnosis-tests/
- https://www.diabetes.org.uk/diabetes-the-basics/test-for-diabetes
- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/type-2-diabetes/understanding-medication/
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods-to-avoid-with-diabetes
- https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/diabetic-food-list-best-worst-foods
- https://www.joslin.org/patient-care/diabetes-education/diabetes-learning-center/can-type-2-diabetes-be-reversed
- https://www.macspharmacy.com/blog/best-fruits-type-2-diabetes
- https://www.healthline.com/health/diabetes/early-warning-signs-type-2-diabetes#prediabetes
- https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/basics/prediabetes.html
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