Type 2 diabetes is a long-term health condition that arises when your blood sugar levels are consistently too high. Several factors, including obesity, lack of physical activity, insulin resistance, and genetics, contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes. Committing to a healthy lifestyle can support the effective management of diabetes. Additionally, it results in improvements in weight, blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels.
Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes
The signs of type 2 diabetes may present as follows:
- Increased thirst and urination
- Blurred vision
- Tiredness
- Wounds that require a long time to heal
- Weight loss
- Tingling or numb sensations in your extremities (hands or feet)
If left untreated, type 2 diabetes increases the risk of serious complications such as diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage), diabetic retinopathy (eye disease), and diabetic nephropathy (kidney disease). A healthcare provider may recommend a blood test to see if you have diabetes or prediabetes. This test is used to measure your fasting blood glucose levels.
Preparation and General Instructions for Blood Sugar Testing
Before you have a blood sugar test, your healthcare provider will ask you to fast for 8 to 12 hours. While you are fasting for the test, it is important to only drink water and not consume any food or other beverages. A medical technician will gently insert a needle into a vein in your arm to draw a blood sample. This sample will be sent off to a lab to assess the glucose levels in your blood. It is common to experience some pain or discomfort at the site where the needle was inserted; however, this discomfort typically subsides over time. After the test, you will be advised to have food, and then re-test after about 2 hours.
Interpretation of Fasting Blood Glucose Test Results
|
Results |
Fasting blood sugar (mg/dl) |
Post-prandial blood sugar (mg/dl) |
|
Normal |
70-100 |
140 and below |
|
Pre-diabetes |
100-125 |
140-199 |
|
Diabetes |
126 and above |
200 and above |
If the results show higher than normal glucose levels, it could be a sign that you are at risk of developing diabetes.
If you have diabetes, your blood glucose levels may be lower than normal for a variety of reasons, including:
- Eating insufficiently, particularly after taking diabetes medication
- Exercising more frequently than usual
Low blood sugar levels without diabetes may indicate:
- Liver disease
- Kidney disease
- A hypoactive thyroid, pituitary, or adrenal gland (hypothyroidism)
- Addiction to alcohol
Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle with Diabetes
Managing weight
If you are overweight or obese, it may be challenging to manage type 2 diabetes successfully. It also elevates the risk of high cholesterol and high blood pressure, which are contributing factors for heart disease. To assist with weight management, incorporate healthier eating habits and increase your level of physical activity.
Eating healthy
To keep a healthy weight and manage diabetes effectively, making informed food choices is important. This means controlling portion sizes and reading food labels, while also limiting foods and drinks that are high in added sugars, saturated fats, and sodium. With a wide variety of food options, it can be difficult to determine which ones are the healthiest. The core elements of a nutritious dietary pattern include:
- A variety of vegetables
- Fresh fruits
- Non-fat or low-fat dairy products
- Foods made from whole grains
- Protein sources such as lean meats, poultry, beans, fish, nuts, and soy products
- Various oils, including vegetable oils and those found in foods like fish and nuts
Always keep a small snack or glucose tablets close by. They can provide a fast way to elevate your blood sugar if it drops unexpectedly.
When you are on diabetes medication, it is important to find the right balance between your meals and your medicine. Eating too little compared to your insulin can result in dangerously low blood sugar levels, while consuming too much can cause your blood sugar to rise too high.
Regular physical activity
To keep healthy, adults should get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity each week, or a combination of both. For example, you could walk briskly for 30 minutes on two days and jog for 20 minutes on two other days. A brisk walk that raises your heart rate is a perfect example of moderate-intensity exercise. Make sure to hydrate well with water or other fluids during your workouts, as dehydration can affect your blood sugar levels.
Limiting alcohol
Drinking alcohol can cause blood sugar levels to drop shortly after drinking and may continue to do so for hours. While the liver typically releases stored sugar to help balance low blood sugar, it may not be able to do so effectively if it is processing alcohol.
Quitting smoking
Smokers who have diabetes are more likely to experience issues with insulin dosing and managing their health than non-smokers. If you have diabetes and smoke, you could be at an increased risk for serious health problems, including kidney disease, heart disease, and reduced blood flow in your legs and feet, which can lead to infections, ulcers, and possibly amputation.
Taking proper medications
While following your diabetes care plan, you might also need to use diabetes medications, which can include injectable insulin or pills. The effectiveness of these treatments is influenced by when and how much you take. It is important to note that other medications for different health issues can also affect your blood sugar.
Effectively handling stress
Prolonged stress can cause your body to produce hormones that increase blood sugar levels, making it difficult to follow your diabetes management plan. To manage stress effectively, learn relaxation techniques, practice yoga, rank your tasks by importance, and set boundaries. Whenever possible, try to avoid stress-inducing situations. Regular exercise is a great way to relieve stress and help maintain healthy blood sugar levels. It is also necessary to regularly monitor the sugar levels in your blood.
Early detection of diabetes plays a significant role in maintaining your overall health. Regular screenings, such as fasting blood sugar tests, can provide essential information about your blood sugar levels. By detecting diabetes early, you can take proactive measures to manage your health, including making healthier food choices and incorporating regular exercise into your routine.
