Controllable Risk Factors
Certain health issues are closely linked to the development of type 2 diabetes. While not absolute causes, these problems significantly increase the risk, particularly for individuals predisposed to the disease.
Major Risk Factors:
- Obesity: Excess body fat induces insulin resistance, escalating the risk of type 2 diabetes. The distribution of fat, particularly intra-abdominal fat, plays a significant role in this risk.
- Physical Inactivity: Sedentary lifestyles contribute to the accumulation of triglycerides in muscle cells, leading to weight gain. Regular physical exercise serves as a powerful counterforce to insulin resistance.
- Unhealthy Diet: Dietary habits that lead to obesity increase the chances of progressing from prediabetes to diabetes. High-carbohydrate and high-fat, low-fiber diets can accelerate the development of type 2 diabetes.
- Hyperglycemia: Frequent consumption of high-carbohydrate foods contributes to hyperglycemia, which worsens insulin resistance, leading to prediabetes and diabetes.
- Stress: Chronic stress triggers the sympathetic nervous system, elevating cortisol levels. This stress hormone counteracts insulin, contributing to chronic hyperglycemia and insulin resistance.
- Chronic Inflammation: Type 2 diabetes induces immune system alterations, leading to persistent inflammation. Conversely, chronic inflammation can contribute to hyperglycemia and insulin resistance.
Understanding and addressing these modifiable risk factors through lifestyle modifications can play a pivotal role in preventing and managing type 2 diabetes.
Complications
The complications associated with diabetes unfold over an extended period. The duration of diabetes and the degree of control over blood sugar levels are key factors influencing the risk of complications. As the timeline of diabetes extends and blood sugar management falters, the likelihood of complications increases. Over time, these complications may progress to a point where they become incapacitating or pose life-threatening risks. It's important to note that even prediabetes, if left unaddressed, can progress into full-fledged type 2 diabetes. The potential complications encompass a range of adverse outcomes.
- Cardiovascular issues: Diabetes significantly heightens the likelihood of various heart-related problems, encompassing conditions like coronary artery disease, angina (chest pain), heart attacks, strokes, and atherosclerosis (narrowing of arteries). Individuals with diabetes face an elevated risk of developing heart disease or experiencing a stroke.
- Diabetic neuropathy: Excessive sugar levels can harm the delicate blood vessels (capillaries) that nourish the nerves, especially in the legs. This can result in sensations like tingling, numbness, burning, or pain, often originating at the tips of the toes or fingers and gradually progressing upward. Nerve damage affecting digestion may lead to issues such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and, in men, erectile dysfunction.
- Diabetic nephropathy: The kidneys, responsible for filtering waste from the blood through numerous tiny blood vessel clusters (glomeruli), can suffer damage due to diabetes, affecting this intricate filtering system.
- Diabetic retinopathy: Diabetes has the potential to harm the blood vessels in the eyes, creating a risk of vision impairment and, in severe cases, blindness.
- Foot complications: Nerve damage or inadequate blood flow to the feet increases the vulnerability to various foot-related issues.
- Skin and oral conditions: Diabetes may elevate susceptibility to skin problems, including bacterial and fungal infections, and impact oral health.
- Hearing problems: Individuals with diabetes are more prone to experiencing hearing impairment.
- Alzheimer's disease: Type 2 diabetes may heighten the risk of dementia, including conditions like Alzheimer's disease.
- Depression linked to diabetes: Symptoms of depression are prevalent among individuals with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.