Type 2 Diabetes: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Type 2 Diabetes: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Table of Contents

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I. What is Type 2 Diabetes?

II. Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes

i. Frequent Urination

ii. Increased Thirst

iii. Fatigue and Unexplained Tiredness

iv. Other Common Symptoms

III. How is Type 2 Diagnosed?

IV. Complications of Untreated Type 2 Diabetes

i. Nerve Damage

ii. Kidney Damage

iii. Cardiovascular Disease

V. How is Type 2 Diabetes Treated?

i. Type 2 Diabetes Medications

VI. Conclusion

VII. FAQs

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Type 2 diabetes is a common condition that can impact how you live your life. With proper education and treatment, type 2 diabetes can be effectively managed. Read on to learn about symptoms, treatment methods, and why this condition occurs.

What is Type 2 Diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder. It occurs when your body does not effectively use or produce insulin.

Insulin is essential for turning the food you eat into energy for the cells in your body. If your body does not use insulin well, glucose can accumulate in your bloodstream and affect your health.

Left untreated, type 2 diabetes can cause several health complications such as:

• Cardiovascular disease
• Nerve damage
• Problems with your vision

Type 2 diabetes can develop at any age, so it is important to consult a doctor if you experience any symptoms.

Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes may cause different symptoms, which vary between individuals. The symptoms of type 2 diabetes may also change or worsen gradually, especially if unaddressed.

Some people with type 2 diabetes do not experience any symptoms, particularly in the early stages of the disease. Due to it being difficult to detect on your own, type 2 diabetes should be diagnosed by a healthcare professional.

Frequent Urination

One of the telltale signs of type 2 diabetes is needing to urinate more often than usual. This symptom tends to affect people at night. Although frequent urination may indicate other health conditions, it may be a sign that your body is having trouble regulating blood sugar. ¹

Increased Thirst

Increased thirst is closely related to frequent urination. Your body may respond to urinating more frequently by wanting to make up for the fluid loss. But compensating for fluid loss often causes the need to urinate even more, leading to a never-ending cycle. ¹

Fatigue and Unexplained Tiredness

Being excessively tired may indicate that your cells are starved of energy. While fatigue can be brought on by many other health conditions, it is a strong indicator that the body is becoming resistant to insulin. ¹

Other Common Symptoms

Type 2 diabetes may also cause blurred vision, numbness or tingling, darkened skin patches, and weight loss. But why do these symptoms occur?

Type 2 diabetes results in persistent high blood sugar, which can damage your blood vessels. When the tiny blood vessels in your eyes become damaged, your vision may be affected.

Numbness and tingling can occur from nerve damage. Prolonged high blood sugar can damage the walls of small blood vessels. High blood sugar can also lead to the accumulation of toxic substances that directly impair nerve function. ¹

If you feel as if you have any of these symptoms, it is recommended that you speak with a medical professional.

How is Type 2 Diagnosed?

Your physician will usually look for type 2 diabetes by assessing your medical history and examining your physical health. For example, if you have a family history of diabetes, obesity, or any other related condition, you may be at more risk.

Your doctor may also use a fasting blood sugar test to measure your blood sugar level after not eating for at least 8 hours. A reading of 126 mg/dL or higher on two separate occasions may mean you have type 2 diabetes. ²

Another common method of diagnosing type 2 diabetes is the hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) test, which is an accurate measurement of your average blood sugar level over the past few months.

Your physician may also conduct an oral glucose tolerance test—a measurement of your blood sugar levels at specific intervals after consuming a standardized amount of glucose. If your blood sugar is higher than 200 mg/dL after two hours, you may be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. ²

Complications of Untreated Type 2 Diabetes

Neglecting to treat type 2 diabetes can have severe health consequences. Type 2 diabetes can affect the nerves, kidneys, and cardiovascular system, all of which play vital roles in maintaining your well-being. Below is an overview of conditions that type 2 diabetes can cause if left untreated.

Nerve Damage

Diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage caused by diabetes) can cause pain, tingling, or weakness in your limbs. Nerve damage can also impact your digestive, urinary, and sexual function. If left untreated, diabetic neuropathy can lead to gastroparesis, urinary incontinence, and erectile dysfunction.

Kidney Damage

Over time, type 2 diabetes can cause high blood pressure, damaging the blood vessels in the kidneys and causing chronic kidney disease. This is a serious condition, as it could progress to kidney failure.

Cardiovascular Disease

Type 2 diabetes can cause the arteries to narrow (atherosclerosis), which can cause cardiovascular events like a heart attack, a stroke, or coronary or peripheral artery disease.

Type 2 diabetes can lead to several other severe health complications if left untreated, so it is very important to get ahead and consult your doctor if you might be at risk.

How is Type 2 Diabetes Treated?

The first line of defense against type 2 diabetes is a healthy diet and exercise. Without these, even the best medications available will not be as effective. A balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats can help your body regulate blood sugar levels. Regular physical activity is also essential for keeping your blood sugar level in a healthy range.

Type 2 Diabetes Medications

If diet and exercise are not enough, you may need prescription medication to help manage your symptoms. There are many drug classes that treat type 2 diabetes, such as GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide and SGLT2 inhibitors like empagliflozin.

Depending on the severity of your diabetes and factors like your age, medical history, and lifestyle habits, certain medications may be more suitable. It is always important to work with your doctor to determine the most effective course of treatment.

Conclusion

No one wants to hear that they have type 2 diabetes, but if you have been diagnosed recently, there are many steps you can take to manage (and even reverse) this condition.

The important thing is to work out a treatment plan, whether that includes medication or not. Healthy workouts and eating habits can help you stop type 2 diabetes in its tracks before it progresses into life-threatening conditions. If you are looking to get prescription type 2 diabetes medication, browse your options on this page and get an online consultation today.

FAQs

Can type 2 diabetes be reversed?

Whether type 2 diabetes can be reversed will depend on the individual, but it is possible for this condition to go into remission with the right treatment plan. ³ By lowering your blood sugar into a healthy range, you will stop being affected by diabetes symptoms, and the condition won't do new damage to your body.

What medications can I take to manage type 2 diabetes?

Semaglutide and tirzepatide are commonly prescribed to those managing type 2 diabetes. These medications may also be used off-label to aid in weight loss.

What causes type 2 diabetes?

The most common causes of type 2 diabetes are physical inactivity and obesity because they increase your risk of insulin resistance. ⁴ While family history can increase your risk, the right nutrition and exercise can prevent this condition most of the time.

What's the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, whereas type 2 diabetes is usually caused by having excess body fat. In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas does not make enough insulin, and your body does not use insulin effectively. ⁵

Does being overweight increase my risk for diabetes?

Yes. Carrying excess weight increases your risk for type 2 diabetes. Being overweight also contributes to other conditions like heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. If you are overweight, losing 10 to 15 pounds can greatly improve your health markers. ⁶