Type 2 Diabetes

Being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (T2 diabetes or T2D) is no fun! It usually means taking medication and making difficult changes to your diet and lifestyle. It also puts you at risk for other conditions, including some that are serious and difficult to manage.

On the positive side, T2D can be managed – often quite successfully.

In this article, we explore some questions around type 2 diabetes and how health coaching can help.

What does being a type 2 diabetic mean?

T2D is a chronic disease that develops over time as a result of high blood glucose levels.

A diagnosis means that your cells have become insulin-resistant; your pancreas no longer produces as much of this hormone as it should. The result is that less glucose enters the cells to produce energy, and the excess remains in your blood. This condition, called hyperglycaemia, is harmful to your body.

What are the signs of T2D?

There are a few important signs that you may have either diabetes or pre-diabetes:

1. Wanting to urinate frequently;
2. Being thirsty all the time;
3. Feeling tired for no apparent reason;
4. Blurred vision; and
5. Tingling in the feet or hands.

What causes type 2 diabetes?

There are a number of factors believed to be responsible for T2 diabetes; we have more control over some than others.

The factors within our control are things like consumption of processed, sugary and high-carb foods; our level of physical activity; and our weight (specifically around the waist); alcohol consumption; and smoking. High blood pressure, certain medications and ageing may place us at higher risk.

Risk factors that we cannot control include genetics and race. But having a family history of diabetes or belonging to an ethnic group that increases our risk does not guarantee that we will develop the disease.

What harm does T2D cause?

If you have any symptoms or suspect you have diabetes, it’s important to be tested. That’s because leaving it untreated puts you at high risk for chronic health issues, including:

1. Heart disease,
2. Kidney disease,
3. Stroke,
4. Eye disease,
5. Nerve problems, and
6. A compromised immune system.

Diabetes is also linked to other health problems such as gum disease, sleep apnea, depression, some types of cancer, and even dementia.

Can T2 diabetes be cured?

There is evidence that changing lifestyle factors like diet and exercise may allow you to bring your blood sugar levels down to a level that’s not considered diabetic. Besides lowering your risk for serious conditions, this would also mean that you would no longer need diabetes medication.

How do I manage my diabetes?

Once you’re diagnosed, it’s important to get both emotional and physical support for the road ahead. Your health and well-being is worth this investment.

Educating yourself on T2 diabetes is a good first step. Often your medical practitioner can refer you to a diabetes educator, and the cost of the session may be covered by your medical aid.

Usually the first step is to change your diet; increasing your exercise may also be helpful.

Your doctor may prescribe oral meds or injectable insulin. They behave differently; it’s important to understand what each does and does not do as well as their side-effects.

Monitoring your blood sugar levels is another important daily activity, especially if your blood glucose level is above the 7mmol/l threshold. Anything above 8.5 mmol/l two hours after a meal is considered hyperglycaemia (meaning that blood glucose levels are high enough to be harmful).

Having regular check-ups and blood work for blood pressure, kidney function, and foot and eye health is also a must, as diabetes can cause some serious issues.