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Staying Healthy

WHAT IS TYPE 2 DIABETES? Did you know that the sugar you eat gets turned into fuel for your body? Diabetes is an impairment in this...

WHAT IS TYPE 2 DIABETES? Did you know that the sugar you eat gets turned into fuel for your body? Diabetes is an impairment in this process and is a long-term chronic condition. If not treated and taken care of, it will eventually result in disorders of the circulatory system, nervous system, and immune system. It can mess up your entire body! Type 2 diabetes is more common in older adults, but with the increase in obesity in the young, the numbers increase. Unfortunately, there is no cure for diabetes, but losing weight, exercising, and eating healthy will help you manage it. If that doesn’t work or isn’t enough to keep it controlled, there are medications that you can take which will help. You need to see your doctor and determine if you need medication or not. SYMPTOMS Type 2 diabetes has signs and symptoms that often develop slowly. You can be living with it for years before the signs and symptoms become apparent. Increased thirst Increased hunger Unintended weight loss Frequent urination Fatigue Blurry vision Frequent infections Slow-healing sore Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet WHEN TO SEE A DOCTOR Should you experience any of the above signs and symptoms, you should see your physician. COMPLICATIONS OF DIABETES Potential complications of diabetes are as follows: Nerve damage in the limbs (called neuropathy) Heart and blood vessel disease Kidney disease Damage to the eyes Slow healing Sleep apnea Dementia PREVENTING DIABETES Is there any way to prevent diabetes? Healthy eating and exercising will help you prevent diabetes. Should you receive a diagnosis of prediabetes, then lifestyle changes would help to prevent the progression to diabetes. Getting more active – try for 30 minutes a day of increased activity or exercise Losing weight as recommended by your doctor Avoid inactivity for long periods – if you sit at a desk or in front of a television for long periods, get up and move around every 30 minutes Eating healthy – foods lower in fat and calories helps and eat more fiber – focus on fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

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