Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects how your body regulates blood sugar (glucose) levels. When you have diabetes, your body either doesn’t produce enough insulin or doesn’t use it effectively. Insulin is a hormone that helps glucose get into your cells to be used as energy.
There are three main types of diabetes:
- Type 1 Diabetes: This is an autoimmune disease where the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin injections or use an insulin pump to manage their blood sugar levels.
- Type 2 Diabetes: This is the most common form of diabetes, accounting for about 90% of all cases. It occurs when the body becomes resistant to insulin or doesn’t produce enough insulin to maintain normal glucose levels. Lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, and obesity can contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes.
- . Gestational Diabetes: This type of diabetes occurs during pregnancy and usually goes away after the baby is born. However, women who have had gestational diabetes have a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
Signs of insulin resistance
Here are some signs or symptoms that may indicate insulin resistance:
- Frequent urination: When the body becomes resistant to insulin, glucose cannot enter the cells efficiently. As a result, the kidneys may signal the body to eliminate excess glucose through increased urination.
- Increased thirst: Frequent urination can lead to excessive thirst as the body tries to replenish the fluids lost.
- Fatigue: Insulin resistance can affect the body’s ability to effectively use glucose for energy, leading to feelings of fatigue and low energy levels.
- Weight gain or difficulty losing weight: Insulin resistance can make it harder to lose weight, particularly around the abdominal area. This can be due to the body’s increased production of insulin, which promotes fat storage.
- Increased hunger: As the body’s cells are unable to properly utilize glucose, they may signal the brain to increase food intake, leading to feelings of constant hunger or cravings for sugary and carbohydrate-rich foods.
- Difficulty concentrating: Fluctuating blood sugar levels can affect cognitive function and lead to difficulty concentrating or brain fog.
- Skin darkening: A condition known as acanthosis nigricans can occur as a result of insulin resistance. It causes patches of darkened, thickened skin, most commonly on the back of the neck, armpits, or groin area.
- High blood pressure: Insulin resistance can contribute to high blood pressure, as insulin plays a role in blood vessel constriction.
If you are experiencing any of these signs or symptoms, it is essential to consult with a healthcare professional for proper evaluation and diagnosis.
Dark predictions for Type two Diabetes in the UK
Recent data analysis shows that up to 5.5m people in the UK could be living with diabetes by 2030, as you can see we are closer to 2030. Predictions based on analysis from Public Health England predict that 1-in-10 UK adults could be living with diabetes within a decade. This means that everyone is at a risk of developing diabetes. The threat of diabetes doesn’t come as a surprise since their is a correlation between the high increase of obesity. Data shows that the cheap availability of convenience take away and increase of sugary foods being promoted has a big part to play in the diabetes threat. The most shocking observation is children showing signs of insulin resistance in their teenage years. How will the body of a 15year old be after type two diabetes diagnosis and after a decade the ravage from diabetes will shorten a young life , Just picture how diabetes eats you from the inside. This a major threat that the government isn’t doing enough. The NHS will be overwhelmed with the huge influx of diabetes related complications.
Complications of Type two diabetes
Type 2 diabetes can potentially lead to several complications if not properly managed. Here are some common complications that can arise:
- Cardiovascular disease: Individuals with type 2 diabetes have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular problems like heart disease, heart attacks, stroke, and high blood pressure. Elevated blood sugar levels and insulin resistance can contribute to the buildup of plaque in the arteries, increasing the risk of cardiovascular complications.
- Neuropathy: High blood sugar levels can damage the nerves throughout the body, leading to various types of neuropathy. This can result in symptoms such as numbness, tingling, pain, sensitivity, or weakness in the affected areas, typically in the hands, feet, or legs.
- Kidney disease: Diabetes is a leading cause of kidney disease, known as diabetic nephropathy. Over time, high blood sugar levels can damage the small blood vessels in the kidneys, impairing their ability to filter waste and toxins from the blood. This can eventually lead to kidney failure if left untreated.
- Eye problems: Elevated blood sugar levels can damage the blood vessels in the eyes, leading to various eye problems such as diabetic retinopathy (damage to the blood vessels in the retina), cataracts (clouding of the lens), or glaucoma (increased pressure in the eyes).
- Foot complications: Diabetes can cause poor circulation and damage to the nerves in the feet, increasing the risk of foot problems. These can include diabetic foot ulcers, infections, and, in severe cases, even amputation if not properly treated or managed.The stats for leg amputations has gone up since 2015.
- Skin conditions: High blood sugar levels can contribute to dry skin, bacterial and fungal infections, and slow wound healing. Skin conditions like diabetic dermopathy, necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum, or eruptive xanthomatosis are more common in individuals with diabetes.
- Increased risk of infections: Diabetes can weaken the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to various infections, such as urinary tract infections, skin infections, and recurrent yeast infections.
It’s important to note that proper management of blood sugar levels, regular medical check-ups, and adhering to a healthy lifestyle can help minimize the risk and severity of these complications. Regular communication with healthcare professionals is important. The NHS will not be able to cope With these disease and its complications. A large chunk of the NHS budget is already being spent on Diabetes and its complications so what will happen by 2030 when the statistics show an increase in type two diabetes. So many people will be living with the silent killer and not even know it. Research shows that a large proportion of people are pre-diabetic and are just existing without even knowing so by the time they are diagnosed it will be too late and diabetes has caused damage. What the NHS needs to do is mandatory diabetes screening in every Gp this will help people who are at risk.
How can you reduce the risk of developing diabetes prevention is key
To reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes or better manage the condition if already diagnosed, adopting the following healthy habits can be beneficial:
- Maintain a balanced diet: Focus on consuming a variety of nutrient-dense foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Limit highly processed foods, sugary snacks, and beverages. Try to control portion sizes and opt for low-glycemic index foods to help manage blood sugar levels.
- Regular physical activity: Engage in regular exercise or physical activity most days of the week. Aim for a combination of aerobic exercises (such as walking, jogging, swimming) and strength training exercises (such as weightlifting, bodyweight exercises). Consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new exercise routine.
- Achieve and maintain a healthy weight: Losing excess weight can improve insulin sensitivity. Focus on gradual, sustainable weight loss by incorporating a healthy diet and regular physical activity into your lifestyle.
- Monitor and control blood sugar levels: If you have diabetes, regularly check your blood sugar levels as advised by your healthcare professional. Take medications as prescribed and follow their recommendations for insulin or oral medication use.
- Stay hydrated: Drink an adequate amount of water throughout the day to support overall health and hydration. Avoid sugary beverages that can lead to spikes in blood sugar levels.
- Quit smoking: Smoking increases the risk of developing diabetes and various other health complications. Seek support and resources to quit smoking if you are a smoker.
- Manage stress levels: Chronic stress can affect blood sugar levels and overall health. Find healthy coping mechanisms and stress-reducing activities such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, yoga, or engaging in hobbies and activities you enjoy.
- Get sufficient sleep: Aim for 7-8 hours of restful sleep each night. Poor sleep or inadequate sleep can affect blood sugar control and increase the risk of developing diabetes. Sleep is often overlooked but recent data shows how sleep can heal the body and also anti aging benefits so don’t underestimate sleep.
- Regular medical check-ups: Schedule regular visits with your healthcare professionals to monitor your overall health, get blood sugar levels checked, and discuss any concerns or questions you may have.This might not be available depending on your Gp so try your best if you have concerns about Your symptoms and health advocate for your self.
Remember, always consult with your healthcare professional for personalized advice and recommendations based on your specific health needs. Since the NHS is already overwhelmed and recent data shows not many people are getting health consultation to suit their needs and sickness. So what can you do as an individual to get the best healthcare invest in your health save up money to get proper diagnosis and support from private medical professionals. The GPs have failed so many People when it comes to supporting their patients.