Here Are The Type 2 Diabetes Symptoms

...as well as the causes, tests and prevention steps!

Here are the type 2 diabetes symptoms you should look for to see if you have the condition. In addition to examining the signs and symptoms of diabetes, we will also cover the causes, the tests that may be performed and how you can prevent it.

What is Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterised by high blood sugar levels resulting from insulin resistance and in some cases, insulin insufficiency.

Insulin resistance has several possible causes including: high intake of high-density carbohydrates, high intake of saturated and trans fatty acids, nutrients deficiencies and lack of exercise. It is most often caused by the insulin receptors on cell membranes becoming de-sensitised to the action of insulin because they have been bombarded by insulin for a long period of time.

Insulin insufficiency is caused by the Islet of Langerhans (the insulin producing cells in the pancreas) becoming exhausted.

Over the long term, high blood sugar levels can lead to a range of health problems including: increased risk of heart attack, strokes, kidney failure and amputation. These problems result simply because chronically high levels of glucose in the blood stream damages blood vessels and nerves. Type 2 diabetes is also strongly associated with loss of hearing, blindness and cognitive dysfunction.

Type 2 Diabetes Symptoms:

Obesity
Obesity is one of the most common type 2 diabetes symptoms. It results from the simple fact that glucose and insulin levels are high in the blood stream. Glucose may be stored in adipose (fat) tissue where it may be converted into body fat and this process may occur with insulin. Also, insulin, which is a storage hormone, stops the body from mobilising and utilising fat as a fuel source.

Fatigue
Feelings of fatigue or constant tiredness are common signs and symptoms of diabetes. Since the glucose from the blood stream can't be transported into most cells of the body, the body cells can't use it as a fuel source. Therefore, general fatigue or tiredness may result.

Frequent urination (polyuria)
Another common type 2 diabetes symptom is polyuria. Since levels of glucose in the blood stream remain constantly high, when the glucose enters the kidney tubules not all of it gets re-absorbed into the body. As a result, through the process of osmosis, water also enters the tubules and is then excreted by the body resulting in increased urination.

Increased thirst (polydipsia)
Most of the type 2 diabetes symptoms result from high glucose levels in the blood stream and polydipsia is no exception. Since the extracellular fluids in the body have high glucose levels, the body tries to balance the levels by ingesting more fluid, which has the effect of diluting the extracellular fluids and improving its osmolality.

Slow healing wounds
Since high blood glucose levels damage blood vessels and nerves, it is not an uncommon type 2 diabetes symptoms to have slow-healing wounds due to the poor blood flow to the area.

How to Test For Type 2 Diabetes:

Fasting plasma glucose (>7.0 mmol/l)
A fasting blood glucose test is the most common test performed to help identify whether or not a person has type 2 diabetes. A normal fasting blood glucose level is less than 6.1 mmol/l. A level between 6.1 mmol/l and 7.0 mmol/l indicates some degree of insulin resistance. A level of 7.0 mmol/l is indicative of type 2 diabetes.

Glucose tolerance test (>11.1 mmol/l)
A glucose tolerance test is a test to determine how well a person's body metabolises ingested glucose. Usually a person is given a solution containing 75 grams of glucose in a fasted state. Then, 2 hours later their blood glucose level is tested. If it is below 7.8 mmol/l it is considered normal. A result between 7.8 mmol/l and 11.1 mmol/l indicates impaied glucose tolerance. A result over 11.1 mmol/l is indicative of type 2 diabetes.

Glycosylated haemoglobin (>6.5%)
Glycosylated haemoglobin is when glucose in the blood stream bonds to haemoglobin (the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells), impairing the functioning of the red blood cells. Normal level is the body are less than 5%. Some degree of insulin resistance is indicated when levels are between 5% and 6.5%. Levels above 6.5% are indicative of type 2 diabetes. Obviously, in the case of type 2 diabetics, their high levels of glucose in the blood stream means there is a greater chance of the glucose bonding to haemoglobin.

How to Reverse Type 2 Diabetes:

Overcoming type 2 diabetes and therefore preventing type 2 diabetes symptoms requires a range of lifestyle habits including, nutrition, exercise and supplementation.

Nutrition
It is essential that someone who has been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes or who experiences type 2 diabetes symptoms follows a low carb diet plan. It is also worthwhile modifying their existing fat intake so they consume more unsaturated fats and less saturated and trans fats. Good sources of healthy fats include: fish, fish oil, olive oil, avocadoes, nuts and seeds.

Exercise
The exercise component should include a combination of both aerobic exercise and resistance exercise. Both of these forms of exercise can help to reverse the signs and symptoms of diabetes.

Supplementation
There are a group of supplements that are ideally suited to helping people overcome type 2 diabetes. They are glucose disposal agents. These assist the body in disposing of glucose from the blood stream by making the cell receptors more insulin sensitive. Some of them also mimic insulin's functions in the body. GI Factor by Body Concepts is a powerful combination of glucose disposal agents (GDAs) that work synergistically to help reverse the type 2 diabetes symptoms and return people to good health again.

Overall, types 2 diabetes is a condition that is easily reversible. By simply deciding to make some simply lifestyle changes, people can easily overcome the condition without resorting to medication.

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