Navigating Life with Type 2 Diabetes
Living with type 2 diabetes isn’t always easy, but learning more about the condition and how to manage or reverse it effectively, can help improve your quality of life. Explore type 2 diabetes, the stages of the disease, its physical and mental effects, and coping strategies.
What is Type 2 Diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition where the body either resists the effects of insulin, which makes it difficult to maintain normal glucose levels. This leads to high blood sugar, which can cause serious health issues and vascular problems if not managed properly.
Many people wonder what causes type 2 diabetes. Modern research is showing there are multiple causal factors for type 2 diabetes that go beyond lifestyle and dietary factors. Functional Medicine can help patients solve this mystery and provide a roadmap away from this disease.
Stages of Type 2 Diabetes
The earliest stage of type 2 diabetes is insulin resistance, when the body’s cells become resistant to insulin. Soon, prediabetes sets in. This is when blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be classified as diabetes.
An official type 2 diabetes diagnosis may occur when blood sugar levels are consistently high and require medical intervention. If not managed, diabetes can lead to complications such as neuropathy, cardiovascular diseases, blindness, amputations, Alzheimer’s disease, and more.
How Type 2 Diabetes Affects You
Common physical type 2 diabetes symptoms include:
- Fatigue due to inefficient glucose utilization
- Unexplained weight loss or gain
- Frequent infections caused by impaired immunity
- Nerve damage, particularly in the legs and feet
- Diabetic retinopathy, leading to vision problems
- Brain fog and memory issues brought on by chronically high blood sugar
- Heart disease, heart attacks, stroke, and kidney failure
Diabetes also impacts your mental health. You may experience stress and anxiety over constantly monitoring and managing diabetes. Depression over having a chronic illness can also lead to feelings of hopelessness.
Coping with Type 2 Diabetes
It’s not all doom and gloom! More than one third of the older adult population has insulin resistance, prediabetes, or type 2 diabetes, so you’re not alone in your journey. The prevalence of this condition also means numerous resources are available to help you cope.
- Education: Knowledge empowers you to make informed decisions about your health. Consulting doctors outside of conventional medicine can help you avoid dangerous medications.
- Healthy eating: Adopt a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole foods. Avoid processed foods and sugary snacks.
- Regular exercise: Physical activity helps regulate your blood sugar and improve insulin sensitivity. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise, like walking or swimming, five days a week.
- Glucose monitoring: Regularly check your blood sugar levels to understand how different foods, activities, and medications affect you.
- Manage stress: Stress hormones can impact your blood sugar levels, so try yoga, meditation, or hobbies you enjoy to relieve stress.
- Toxicity levels: Functional Medicine practitioners can help you get to the root of insulin resistance, and in some cases, help eliminate it completely.
- Regular check-ups: Frequent blood tests are important for monitoring your condition and adjusting your treatment plan.
Manage Type 2 Diabetes
Managing type 2 diabetes involves a comprehensive approach that includes education, lifestyle changes, and regular medical care. Advanced Functional Medicine offers specialized type 2 diabetes treatment programs aimed at correcting imbalanced blood sugar and insulin levels. With our help, you may be able to slow or even reverse your symptoms. Contact our San Diego clinic at 858-412-5744 or request an appointment online to start your personalized diabetes management plan.