What is Type 2 Diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that affects the way your body metabolizes a type of sugar called glucose. If your blood glucose level is too high, you can suffer symptoms like extreme thirst, blurry vision, and irritability.
While having type 2 diabetes may seem troubling, you shouldn’t worry. Dr. Ferdinand Cabrera is an expert on this condition, and can provide you with an individualized treatment plan that may include a combination of dieting, exercise, and supplements. To make an appointment and take control of your blood sugar, contact us online or call ☎ (954) 561-3175 today!
What Causes Type 2 Diabetes?
Diabetes is all about the regulation of glucose through the hormone insulin; insulin allows your cells to turn the glucose in your food into energy for your body. If you have type 2 diabetes, your cells are either unable to properly use glucose, or your pancreas—a large gland located behind your stomach—does not create enough insulin. Known as insulin resistance, this causes glucose to build up in your bloodstream, leading to symptoms of type 2 diabetes.
You might develop type 2 diabetes if you:
- Have relatives that have type 2 diabetes
- Are overweight or obese
- Have metabolic syndrome
- Have high amounts of glucose in your liver
- Have insulin-producing beta cells that cannot properly communicate with each other
You’re more likely to have type 2 diabetes if you’re 45 years of age or older. Other factors that can increase your likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes include:
- Having high blood pressure (hypertension)
- Having high blood triglyceride (a component of many fats) levels
- Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol
Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes
If you’re concerned about your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, there are several symptoms that you can look for. You may want to consider making an appointment at Genesis Health Institute if you experience:
- Extreme thirst and hunger
- Dry mouth
- Frequent urination
- Blurry vision
- Irritability
- Weight loss
- Tingling or numbness in your hands or feet
- Fatigue
- Slow healing
- Headache
Type 2 diabetes may also cause you to lose consciousness, as well as have:
- Frequent yeast infections
- Skin conditions like bacterial and fungal infections
- Pregnancy complications (in both parent and child)
- An increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease
- Inner ear damage, possibly causing deafness
Type 2 diabetes symptoms shouldn’t be ignored. If left untreated, type 2 diabetes can eventually damage your:
- Heart and circulatory system
- Kidneys
- Eyes
- Ability to heal
- Nervous system
Though type 2 diabetes can cause serious effects on your body, you shouldn’t be afraid of these symptoms. Dr. Cabrera can help you control your type 2 diabetes symptoms so you never experience any severe complications.
Diagnosing Type 2 Diabetes
Diagnosing type 2 diabetes is fairly easy, and Dr. Cabrera uses typical blood sugar testing methods, such as:
- Glycated hemoglobin (A1C), which measures your average blood sugar level over the past two to three months
- Randomly taking a blood sample at any given time
- Fasting blood sugar, in which a blood sample is taken after an overnight fast
- Oral glucose tolerance, in which your blood sugar levels are measured after an overnight fast, and then measured periodically for the next two hours after ingesting a sugary drink
These tests are extremely important for you to take, even if you’re not experiencing symptoms. In fact, you should undergo a type 2 diabetes blood test every year once you turn 45 years old.
Treating Type 2 Diabetes
Dr. Cabrera knows that the best way to treat your type 2 diabetes is to use a combination of traditional and functional medicine to create a personalized treatment plan for you, which can also help you lose weight. This is done through FirstLine Therapy, a personalized, 12-week long program that uses nutrition and physical activity plans to teach you healthy lifestyle habits. Your personal FirstLine Therapy plan will include a combination of dieting, exercise, and supplements.
You have to eat well if you’re going to treat type 2 diabetes, as there are many foods that cause a quick rise in blood sugar, known as high glycemic index foods. A healthy diet for individuals with type 2 diabetes will include low-fat, high-fiber, low glycemic index foods, such as vegetables and whole grains. If you have type 2 diabetes, you should also cut back on eating animal products, refined carbohydrates, and sweets. It is also recommended that you engage in about 30 minutes of your favorite aerobic exercise every day, like walking, biking, or swimming.
While there are also a number of different medications that can be used to treat type 2 diabetes, we at Genesis Health Institute prefer to use FirstLine Therapy, due to the treatment being a lifestyle change rather than medication. However, some individuals with type 2 diabetes may require insulin shots (insulin therapy) several times a day, and may also need to monitor and record your blood sugar levels several times a day.
Request your Complimentary Consultation Today!
This is your time to take control of your health! Let the expert help you achieve your goals and obtain your resolution for diabetes. To learn more about how Dr. Cabrera’s treatment can be individually suited for your unique medical needs, contact us online or call ☎ (954) 561-3175 today!
