Type 2 Diabetes: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, Diet

From verywellhealth.com

Type 2 diabetes is a progressive, chronic disease that prevents a person's body from properly using glucose (sugar). People with type 2 diabetes usually have insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. 

In type 2 diabetes, the cells become resistant to insulin, which is a hormone created by the pancreas that controls the amount of glucose in your bloodstream. As a result, the pancreas makes more insulin. Over time, the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin to keep blood sugars in a healthy range.

This article discusses the differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes, as well as the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of type 2 diabetes.

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Type 1 vs. Type 2 Diabetes: What It Means to Have Type 2

Type 1 and type 2 diabetes are both disorders in glucose metabolism. However, their clinical presentation and progression are different. It's important to differentiate between the two conditions since treatment plans differ.

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease. It occurs when the body mistakenly attacks the pancreas's insulin-making cells (beta cells). People with type 1 diabetes make little to no insulin and must take it via injection or infusion to live. Type 1 diabetes used to be called juvenile diabetes because it was more likely to be diagnosed in childhood. But it can also develop later in life.

Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90% to 95% of all diabetes cases. It is often referred to as a lifestyle disease because your weight, age, smoking, diet, and lack of exercise can increase your risk. People of certain racial and ethnic populations have a higher incidence of the disease, as well.

In addition, people who develop type 2 diabetes are more likely to have a cluster of factors, including high cholesterol, high blood pressure, high triglycerides, and abdominal adiposity (excess fat in the abdomen).

Type 2 Diabetes Symptoms

Type 2 diabetes develops gradually. Often, people do not have noticeable symptoms, especially in the earlier stages (prediabetes). As the disease progresses, you may experience:

• Excess hunger despite eating normally
• Frequent urination
• Excessive thirst
• Acanthosis nigricans (a sign of insulin resistance)
• Fatigue
• Skin rashes
• Frequent infections
• Cuts that are slow to heal
• Peripheral neuropathy (numbness and tingling in the hands and feet)
• Blurred vision

What Causes Type 2 Diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes occurs when glucose (sugar) cannot enter the cells and stays in the bloodstream above normal levels. A defect in insulin secretion, insulin resistance, or a combination of both causes this. Certain contributing factors to the disease include:

• Age: Diabetes occurs more frequently in people over 45.
• Weight: You are considered overweight or obese if you have a body mass index (BMI) greater than 25 kilograms per meters squared (kg/m2) for most Americans (greater than or equal to 23 kg/m2 for Asian Americans), or have waist circumference greater than 40 inches in men or greater than 35 inches in women.
• Lack of exercise: This generally is defined as less than three days a week of physical activity.
• Other conditions: These include having prediabetes or having had a gestational diabetes diagnosis, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
• Race: Type 2 diabetes is more common among certain racial and ethnic populations, including African American, Native American, Latinx, and Asian American people.
• Genetic predisposition: The lifetime risk of developing type 2 diabetes is 3 times higher in those who have a first-degree relative with the disease.
• Certain medications: Treatment with atypical antipsychotics, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) medications, or glucocorticoids.
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Is Type 2 Diabetes Genetic?

There is a genetic component to developing type 2 diabetes. However, genetics is complicated, and there is much to investigate and discover. Some genes connected to diabetes are related to insulin resistance, and others to beta cell function. Research shows a wide range of heritability of type 2 diabetes, ranging from 20% to 80%.

Type 2 Diabetes Diagnosis

There are several ways to diagnose type 2 diabetes, including with blood tests and blood draws during an oral glucose tolerance test (a test in which you drink a sugary drink and evaluate how your body responds to the sugar). Your healthcare provider may decide to do a random blood sugar test. A random blood sugar reading greater than or equal to 200 milligrams per decilitre (mg/dL) qualifies for a diabetes diagnosis.

When you do not have classic symptoms, diagnosis requires two abnormal test results from the same or different sample.  This includes fasting plasma glucose (FPG), two-hour plasma (blood) value from an oral glucose tolerance test or haemoglobin A1C.

Type 2 Diabetes Treatment

Treatment for type 2 diabetes includes lifestyle changes, eating a nutritious diet, exercise, weight loss (when indicated), adequate sleep, and stress reduction. You can be prescribed oral, insulin, or non-insulin injectable medications to control blood sugar. Medications should always be used in conjunction with lifestyle changes, including changes to diet and exercise.

Receiving diabetes self-management education is important to help lower your risk of diabetes complications and decrease costs. It reduces or eliminates medications and emergency room visits and allows you access to cost-saving programmes. 

Can Type 2 Diabetes Be Reversed?

Research shows that intensive lifestyle interventions, including changes in diet, exercise, and weight loss, can put diabetes into remission. There is a greater chance of this happening in people who have had diabetes for a shorter duration of time and those who can still make adequate amounts of insulin.

Type 2 Diabetes Diet: Foods to Eat and Avoid

There is no one-size-fits-all diet for diabetes. And while certain foods can increase blood sugars more quickly than others, there are no forbidden foods. Instead, you will benefit from a modified carbohydrate diet. Carbohydrates found in fruit, dairy, grains, starchy vegetables, legumes, snack foods, and desserts impact blood sugars the most.

Research suggests that people who eat more plants or follow a Mediterranean diet experience many health benefits, including a reduced risk of diabetes. This food plan contains various high-fibre foods, such as vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, beans, and whole grains. Foods higher in fibre have a more favourable effect on blood sugar because it is digested slowly, reducing large blood sugar spikes.

Aim for a well-balanced meal, especially concerning the amount of food and the types of carbohydrates you eat. A general rule of thumb is to limit carbohydrates to a portion about the size of your fist, which is equivalent to 1 cup of cooked grain. Fill up half your plate with vegetables, and always add lean protein to each meal.

Mediterranean Style of Eating

In a meta-analysis of 17 studies, the Mediterranean diet improved fasting glucose and A1C levels for those with type 2 diabetes.

To manage inflammation, a key factor in diabetes, choose foods that are lower in saturated and trans fats and higher in heart-healthy fats, such as:

• Fatty fish like salmon
• Walnuts
• Flax
• Chia seed
• White meat chicken, turkey
• Lean beef
• Soy or soybean (tofu)
• Tempeh

Reduce your intake of fried foods and cured meats like sausage, bacon, ham, and cold cuts. Bagels, white bread, and pasta can increase blood sugar quickly because they are high in carbohydrates and low in fibre. Large glucose fluctuations are associated with diabetes complications and cardiovascular disease. More research is needed to determine the exact effects.

Meeting with a registered dietitian who can help you maintain the pleasure of eating is important. They can teach you how to make some simple changes to your diet.

How to Check Blood Sugar

The number of times you should check your blood sugar depends on your glycaemic control and medication regimen. If you take medications such as insulin, you are at increased risk of developing hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) and may need to check your numbers more frequently. It's also important to regularly check your blood sugar if you've started a new medication, made changes to your diet or exercise regimen, and want to reduce your intake of medicines.

A healthcare provider will tell you when and how to test using a glucometer. A continuous glucose monitor may be more appropriate for people who take specific medications, have had diabetes for a long time, or are at higher risk for low blood sugar.

Complications From Type 2 Diabetes

Chronically high blood sugar can cause microvascular and macrovascular complications. This means the small vessels, like those in the eyes, and larger ones, like those in the heart, can be affected.

Complications can impact nearly every body system and organ. Long-term complications include:

• Retinopathy (causes vision changes)
• Nephropathy (affects the kidneys)
• Neuropathy
• Cardiovascular disease
• Peripheral vascular disease
• Stroke

Complications of Untreated Type 2 Diabetes

Untreated complications occur when someone does not know they have diabetes. Damage to the eyes can happen before a diabetes diagnosis is made, so a dilated eye exam is necessary every year after.

Elevated blood sugar can also cause acute conditions, such as diabetic ketoacidosis (more common in people with type 1 diabetes) or hyperglycaemic hyperosmolar nonketotic syndrome (more common in people with type 2 diabetes). Both conditions are emergencies and should be treated immediately.

Diabetes and Pregnancy: Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy and typically disappears once the baby is born. People with and without risk factors can develop gestational diabetes. Other risk factors include:

• Genetics
• Age
• Weight
• Ethnicity
• Other health conditions
• Previous pregnancy with gestational diabetes
• Prediabetes
• Changes in the body during pregnancy

Insulin resistance occurs in pregnancy during weeks 20 to 24. Gestational diabetes increases your chances of developing prediabetes and type 2 diabetes later in life. Screening after delivery and every three years after that will be necessary.

How to Prevent Type 2 Diabetes

Certain risk factors for type 2 diabetes, like genetics, are outside your control, but you can take steps to delay or prevent the development of type 2 diabetes. Make changes toward the modifiable factors, such as eating patterns and physical activity. Small, sustainable, and consistent changes are the longest lasting and impactful.

Diet

What you eat can significantly impact your blood sugars and overall health. Eating a variety of foods that are rich in colour, such as fruits and vegetables, provides antioxidants that combat inflammation. Choosing carbohydrates rich in fiber is important for blood sugar control and is associated with a reduced risk of heart disease and diabetes.

Decrease added sugar in foods and beverages, which can significantly improve your blood glucose and promote warranted weight loss. Find healthier alternatives, such as sugar-free beverages or carbonated seltzer without added sugar. Use artificial sweeteners or sugar-free alternatives because these substances do not get digested or metabolized in the body.

Physical Activity

Exercise improves insulin sensitivity; it helps your body use the insulin you make more efficiently. Find an activity you love, start slowly, and build up gradually. If you are new to exercise, get clearance from a healthcare provider before starting.

Weight Loss

A small amount of weight loss (5% to 7%) in those that need to lose weight can significantly impact blood sugars. The scale doesn't have to be your only measurement tool. Another way to measure success is to assess your energy, how your clothes fit, or if you are getting better sleep.

Consult with your healthcare provider to develop the best weight loss management or program that fits your needs. Losing weight is encouraged for people with excess weight with chronic diseases. Following a weight management plan can help you stay on track with your nutrition and fitness goals.

Sleep

Studies have shown that sleep problems can increase the risk of insulin resistance and prediabetes. Aim to get seven to nine hours of sleep per night. If your nightly patterns are way off, make gradual changes, such as going to bed 15 minutes earlier each night.

Other Factors

Having a healthy gut microbiome, reducing stress, and not smoking are all important factors in reducing inflammation.

Daily Management of Type 2 Diabetes

Daily management of type 2 diabetes requires making decisions about food, medicines, exercise, blood sugar testing, and more. You can live a healthy life with diabetes.

Whether you are newly diagnosed or have had diabetes for a long time, finding support and seeking education or further education regarding your condition will help you to manage your disease better. Contact your healthcare provider and insurance carrier to evaluate your options, such as meeting with a certified diabetes care and education specialist (CDCES).

Outlook 

Type 2 diabetes is a serious and chronic health condition that needs to be managed daily. People with diabetes are at increased risk of developing complications, especially if they have had it for a long time or it is poorly managed. But you can take steps to delay, prevent, and manage the disease. Your treatment plan will be unique to you and should take into consideration your age, weight, lifestyle, health history, culture, and economics.

https://www.verywellhealth.com/type-2-diabetes-7371634 

Ask the Doctors | Lowering risk of Type 2 diabetes

From times-standard.com

Dear Doctors: My doctor recently said I’m borderline for Type 2 diabetes. I’m surprised because it does not run in my family. Can you avoid getting it? I read that when your diet is high in vegetables, your risk of Type 2 diabetes goes down a lot. Is that true? Are fruits OK?

Dear Readers: For anyone who isn’t familiar, having Type 2 diabetes means your body is no longer able to efficiently manage levels of blood glucose, commonly referred to as blood sugar. It’s a significant issue because high blood sugar, also known as hyperglycaemia, can cause serious health problems.

Hyperglycaemia that persists for months or years can lead to tissue damage, including to the nerves, kidneys, eyes and blood vessels. It can play a role in someone developing heart disease, nerve problems such as neuropathy, vision problems or vision loss, slow or incomplete wound healing and loss of sexual function. Type 2 diabetes also increases the risk of stroke and is a leading cause of kidney disease and kidney failure.

The most recent data show that 37 million Americans have diabetes. That’s 10% of the population. Of those, up to 95% have Type 2 diabetes. It’s a disease that typically develops in adulthood, most often in people 45 and older. However, that appears to be changing. In recent years, a growing number of adolescents and young adults are being diagnosed with it as well.

You are correct that Type 2 diabetes can run in families. But being overweight or obese, eating a poor diet and being sedentary also contribute to developing the disease. Unlike our genetic inheritance, which is set, each of these additional factors are ones we can take steps to control.

This is all quite sobering, so we’re glad to shift the focus to good news. Research continues to link a diet rich in fresh vegetables, leafy greens and fruit — that’s whole fruit, not fruit juice — to a lower risk of Type 2 diabetes.

This news includes the results of a large study published in 2020. The researchers analysed the health data and dietary habits of 22,000 people over the course of a decade. Participants came from eight countries in Europe. This meant that other than the unifying characteristic of eating a lot of fresh vegetables and fruit, the rest of their diets were varied and diverse. The study found that a vegetable-forward diet may reduce risk by up to 50%.

The takeaway here is that each of us can take meaningful steps to lessen the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. When shopping and cooking, reach for high-fibre and nutrient-dense vegetables, like broccoli, cauliflower, green beans, radishes, cabbage, mushrooms, zucchini and tomatoes. And yes, enjoy fruits like berries, apples, peaches, pears and apricots. They do contain sugar, so eat in moderation. But unlike sugary sweets, whole fruits contain fibre that moderates their effect on blood sugar.

You can start lessening your risk of Type 2 diabetes today, right now. Take a brisk 20-minute walk, then add a salad to your next lunch or dinner.

https://www.times-standard.com/2023/04/30/ask-the-doctors-lowering-risk-of-type-2-diabetes/ 

Frustrated With Diabetes? How to Channel Distress Into Something Positive

From diatribe.org

Are you feeling angry and fearful about diabetes? There’s a way to channel that negative energy into something productive and motivating.

“My blood sugar was great yesterday, but today, I have absolutely had it. I’m all over the place. I’m putting the work in and still, my blood sugars will not stop moving. I am so pissed!”

If this resonates with you, perhaps you’re recalling that voice of criticism inside your head going off about time in range or a high blood glucose spike. If you beat yourself up over it, or lashed out at someone, you are not alone; you’re experiencing diabetes distress, or the way in which diabetes can fuel anger and frustration. 

Sarah Jenkins, 22, has type 1 diabetes. Though she is familiar with nutritional recommendations for diabetes and studying to become a registered dietitian, she still describes feeling angry at her body for not being able to work for itself and the effort she puts into self-management for small returns. 

“When I’m struggling, it feels as though everything that happens with my numbers is my fault, which can make it easy to spiral when things aren't going well,” Jenkins said. “I recently had my first experience with [using] expired insulin, [which resulted in] blood sugars close to 300 for hours on-end, even when I continued trying to correct them. This was frustrating, and I felt so helpless because the one thing I knew to do to lower my blood sugar wasn’t working.” 

Jenkins admits she is disturbed by the power that diabetes has on her quality of life and that she often judges her efforts as either good or bad. “I rarely reward myself for being in range but punish myself when I am not in range. The rest of my life has to be put on hold until I get my numbers figured out, and I don’t enjoy that.” 

Even though she recognizes that in this situation expired insulin—not carbohydrate miscalculation or lifestyle choices—was the cause of her high blood glucose, Jenkins still views diabetes as a game that can never be won yet never ends. “Diabetes can be exhausting; it makes you want to give up and just deal with the consequences of high numbers but that in itself has its own consequences,” she says.

What’s lurking behind diabetes distress: anger, fear, and loss of control

To combat fear, we may want to acknowledge what we’re truly feeling: anger over a lack of control.  

Being in control (of both blood glucose and of emotions) or losing it is intertwined with fear. A 2018 study that used movie clips to provoke an emotion found that the induction of fear significantly increased participants’ self-reported anger. The part of the brain that responds to fear interacts with an external orientation, meaning that anger doesn’t spring from thin air but is inspired by a subsequent emotion, such as fear. The participants experiencing negative visuals and language is what drove feeling afraid, followed by anger. Anger stands in the way of compassion, forgiveness, and self-efficacy, or a belief in the ability to care for oneself.  

Another 2018 study found that fear and worry are the dominant feelings that affect quality of life in young women with type 1 diabetes; however, as self-efficacy increases, so does quality of life. The way a person thinks about reaching goals and their ability to think positively is an example. This would be a time when your inner voice drop-kicks criticism and says, I know it’s tough sometimes, but you’ve got this!

Life feels heavy when self-worth is tied to data 

People with diabetes often put pressure on themselves to maintain a thumbs up from their providers. Measurements like body weight, labs, and time in range, present numerical values often laced with judgmental language. Good, bad, high, low, in range, above range, or poorly controlled can certainly inspire anger. 

Tyler Myers, 29, has lived with type 1 diabetes since he was seven years old. He works as a sound effects editor for a firm in Missouri, is a dedicated cyclist, husband, and father of a one-year-old. He likes numbers and is goal-oriented. Setting small goals related to blood glucose builds confidence, helping him stay on track. However, goal-setting sometimes feels like a desperate act just to maintain his attitude towards glucose data. 

“It’s kind of my way of saying that I don’t feel like I control this anymore, I have to get some help,” he says. “At that point, I feel scared, shameful, selfish, irresponsible, and frustrated.”  

Myers associates anger with glucose fluctuations that influence his actions, when the shift in his personality as a result of hyperglycaemia becomes evident. “I don’t want attention when people try to help, and I’m rude about it. I’ve learned to not talk when my blood glucose is high,” he says. “I’m like a different person; lethargic and achy. I feel impatient and out of control waiting hours for my glucose to come down. This typically leads me to ‘rage bolus,’ then I end up fighting lows an hour later.” 

A flood of thoughts about long-term complications come to mind for Myers. “You feel like you aren’t good enough or able to handle the task you’ve been given. Even if they’re self-imposed, there are unrealistic expectations to manage it perfectly. All of these thoughts coincide on top of the lethargy and achiness, which tend to overload emotions and turn into a big mess of frustration. You wish people understood, so you don’t have to explain.” 

Finding a supportive care team

Myers has a history of difficult experiences with doctors. Recalling the time he heard his endocrinologist reprimanding a young man with diabetes on the other side of the wall, he says, “I remember hearing the doctor go through a list of everything that would happen to him if he didn’t get things under control. I was scared to death to be seen next.”

After this experience, Myers was matched with a different doctor. One who listens intently and challenges him with attainable goals. “He’s healed a lot of endo trauma I’ve carried since childhood,” he says. “I feel like he not only understands how hard it is, but is also proud of the work I put in even if the numbers don’t show.” 

Acknowledging, and then discarding, unhelpful thoughts

Difficult experiences managing diabetes can be like isolated moments of trauma depending on the individual. And these moments add up overtime. Separating unsupportive thoughts while leaning into hopeful thinking is a survival skill.

Dr. Sam Marzouk, clinical child psychologist and owner of Promethean Psychology in Edina, Minnesota, describes how we can shift our thinking to work through distressing events, like Jenkins' anger towards her body or Myers' experience with his endocrinologist. The choice to ‘rage bolus’ by taking fast acting insulin doses too close together is an event that goes against an individual’s better judgment. And yet, anger towards hyperglycaemia prevails.    

“The meanings and interpretations we assign to events, rather than the event itself, have a greater impact on our emotional well-being,” Marzouk says. “You are not your thoughts. Thoughts are not facts. We can shift them as we think about the way we talk to ourselves. As human beings, we are often fused with our own thoughts, easily accepting them as truth.” 

He added, “Once we become aware that many of our thoughts are mere mental noise and distortions of reality, we can take steps to separate ourselves from such thoughts. One way I like to do this is by imagining the thought externally, coming from a silly or goofy source.” 

Transitioning a thought from boiling anger to knee-slapping humour takes practice. Think of any fictional character that makes you laugh. You might tell yourself that you’re a failure for a variety of reasons, but what if Derek Zoolander, Shrek, or Chunk from the Goonies, was saying it? Maybe then you could take it less seriously to cool your temper. 

When rage becomes your best resource for glucose management

Coping with emotions and changing our thinking to become positively proactive is a skill that anyone with diabetes can master.  

Elaine Norton is an avid runner, veterinarian on the faculty at University of Arizona, mother of two, and has lived with type 1 diabetes for 35 years. She recalls managing her health during her first pregnancy and how she battled with her endocrinologist about presenting a perfect A1C. 

“The whirlwind of hormones was making it impossible to maintain consistent blood glucose. It became a guessing game with my food and insulin dose, while worrying how it was affecting my son. This led to anger and feeling out of control.”  

A few months into pregnancy, Norton’s A1C was higher than the goal her doctor expected her to maintain (six percent or lower). As a result, she was accused of not trying hard enough and putting her baby at risk. “No one could actually tell me how to adjust my insulin, but I was lectured (to) and I was furious,” she says. “I sat on the table in a paper gown with bruised fingers from constantly testing. My hands were shaking and I just wanted to scream and cry because I felt like I couldn't win.” 

At five months pregnant and hot off another clinical reprimanding, Norton turned her anger into action. “All of that rage had a good purpose,” she says. 

“I kept running, tracking my blood sugar, adjusting insulin doses, and finally was able to get my glucose under control,” she recalls. “I felt like I was back to myself again. I continued to let the rage out on long runs and I completed a half marathon at eight months pregnant.”  

Norton describes everlasting “doctor induced mom-guilt” and how “the voice in the back of my head wouldn’t shut up about glucose values”—thoughts she has carried with her to this day. 

No other disappointment quite compares to an endocrinology visit that inspires self-loathing. At the root of unpredictability in diabetes is often shame and loss of control, causing one to question their own judgment and decision making. At the same time, an individual can feel fiercely motivated to reach personal health goals like running a half marathon.  

Psychotherapist Ralph De La Rosa, Author of Don’t Tell Me To Relax, describes Norton’s affective use of rage as a resource: “You can absolutely not believe in yourself, be afraid, be in pain, and hate it all, and still take the next step anyhow. It’s okay because we bounce back, we’re resilient. We are built for such things and the voice we heed is the voice that will get stronger.” 

You may not always feel positive, but negative thinking doesn’t have to determine your story. Even in the face of anger, fear, or loss of control, we keep going. Meanwhile, your intuitive inner voice as opposed to the inner critic, has your back from a growth and character building perspective. Confidence and self-reliance often blossom from the most difficult events.    

Changing your inner narrative around diabetes

The next time you feel steam coming out of your ears over time in range, what story are you going to assign yourself? 

Remember: Time in range is not a symbol of self-worth, and your A1C does not limit your ability to become the person you want to be. 

Acknowledging thoughts and the need for emotional care is a recipe for building resilience. To keep up with the “adventures” that life with diabetes entails might require a check-in with your dark side as a catalyst for change. 

Becoming aware of why we feel what we do is a practice of intrinsic empowerment. In a position of anger, facing the fire breathing dragon of red hot rage is where we could find a way to love ourselves into moving forward.  

What we may choose to take away from anger is self-compassion. Unexpected growth in life can be inspired by our worst experiences, while resilience is a muscle often expanded as a result of emotional turmoil. 

And now, your diabetes toolkit includes a personalized recipe for resilience: the heightened awareness of your own thoughts mixed with an element of forgiveness, and garnished with an unbreakable attitude.

Take the opportunity to feel good about your blood glucose. You earned it.

https://diatribe.org/how-to-change-your-attitude-about-diabetes 

Diabetes: 5 reasons why blood sugar levels may fluctuate

From healthshots.com

Taking care of a family member with diabetes means keeping an eye on their diet and their daily routine. There are some surprising triggers that can make your blood sugar levels fluctuate

Ever since you got to know that your loved one has diabetes, you must be making changes in their diet and lifestyle in general. You must be keeping them away from all things sweet. You might think that you know it all since you have been making them healthy meals and encouraging them to stay fit. But there are surprising triggers that can either spike blood sugar levels or make them drop down. Read on to find out what all things can make blood sugar levels fluctuate.

According to the World Health Organization, approximately 422 million people across the globe have diabetes. In the last 30 years, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes has gone up dramatically. But don’t get scared by the statistics. HealthShots connected with Dr Shahid Shafi Bhat, Consultant Internal Medicine, Ujala Cygnus Group of Hospitals Moradabad to know about the things that can make blood sugar levels swing.

He says that diabetes mellitus is a group of chronic metabolic conditions that is characterised by high blood glucose levels. It results from the body’s inability to produce insulin or resistance to insulin action, or both.

Unexpected triggers that can cause blood sugar to fluctuate

Making changes in diet and including exercises in daily routine are crucial in controlling and preventing diabetes. To manage diabetes, certain dietary guidelines need to be followed. You can’t completely shun carbohydrates from their diet. But the majority of it should be in the form of starch such as maize, rice and beans. Here are things that can make blood sugar levels swing:

1. Extreme heat

Whether they are using hot water while bathing or are in hot tubs or are having sunburns, extreme heat can cause blood vessels to dilate. The expert says this makes insulin absorb more quickly and could lead to low blood sugar.

2. Refined sugars

Sugars such as glucose and sucrose, and their products like soft drinks and sweets should be avoided, except during severe illness or episodes of hypoglycaemia. These foods contain simple sugar, which is easily absorbed, causing a rapid rise in blood sugar, says Dr Bhat.

3. Losing sleep

When the body doesn’t get enough sleep, it leads to stress on the body. And stress can make people with diabetes have higher blood sugar levels.

4. Dehydration

Less fluid intake can lead to hyperglycaemia, as the sugar in their circulation gets more concentrated. Also, high blood sugar can cause them to pee more. That means they will get even more dehydrated.

5. Skipping breakfast

You must always begin your day with healthy breakfast. And if you are looking after a loved one with diabetes, make sure they don’t go without the morning meal. If they skip breakfast, it can increase blood sugar after lunch as well as dinner.

It is best to check blood glucose levels before and after having new foods or engaging in activities to monitor how their body responds.

Some of the foods that they can consume without thinking much include green leafy vegetables, tomatoes, onions and cucumber, suggests the expert.

It’s summer now, so you can make a vegetable salad for them. But don’t add cream to it if you don’t want their blood sugar levels to fluctuate. If they are treated with insulin or certain oral hypoglycaemic agents like sulfonylureas, they must eat regularly to prevent hypoglycaemia. They should have three meals a day plus healthy snacks in between.

https://www.healthshots.com/preventive-care/family-care/diabetes-5-reasons-why-blood-sugar-levels-may-fluctuate/