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Knowing you have Type 2 Diabetes brings home some unpleasant realities. From now on, you’ll have to take extra care of your health. If you’ve had undiagnosed Type 2 diabetes for some time, you may already be showing signs of Type 2 diabetes complications. Perhaps you’re wondering if they can be reversed or mitigated.
If this is you, there’s good news. Doubling down on your diabetes management and following a healthy lifestyle can do just that. The alternative is to live with the long-term complications of Type 2 diabetes and just roll with the punches as best you can. But why resign yourself when you can fight back? Looking to win the battle? Then this article is just for you.
Unpleasant though these realities may be, being aware of them provides you with the motivation you need to come back fighting. Know your enemy and rise to the challenge. Let’s look at what we’re up against first. Then, it’s time to plot your strategy to a victorious (and longer) life.
Chronic Complications of Type 2 Diabetes
It can be hard to stay upbeat when you’re made aware of the chronic complications of diabetes Type 2. But they’re your reason for putting up a fight, so let’s check out the enemy you’re up against.
Heart disease, chronic kidney disease and nerve damage are among the unpleasant realities you may have to deal with. Your oral health, vision, and even your hearing and mental health may also suffer. Worth fighting back? Absolutely! Like the onset of the disease, healing is gradual, but in many instances, it’s possible to slow damage, stop it, and even experience a complete or partial recovery.
Acute Complications of Type 2 Diabetes
Are you wondering what the difference between “chronic” and “acute” is? The main differences are based on how long it takes to experience a condition, and how long its symptoms last. So, while heart disease takes time to develop, has longer-lasting implications, and is therefore chronic, acute issues like hypoglycemia develop quickly and last only a limited time.
That doesn’t mean they should be taken lightly. Hypoglycaemia, for example, can be very dangerous. Hypoglycaemia occurs when your blood sugar levels fall to dangerous levels, but as a person living with Type 2 diabetes, you also need to guard against its opposite.
Diabetic ketoacidosis also develops quickly, but it occurs when your blood sugar levels are too high and remain too high for too long. Your body doesn’t have enough insulin, so it can’t use the sugar in your bloodstream for energy. To fuel itself, it starts breaking down fats, and that releases ketones into your bloodstream. Like hypoglycaemia, the results can be life-threatening if left untreated.
The Main Complications of Type 2 Diabetes
Eye problems (Retinopathy, cataracts and blurred vision)
Everyone with Type 2 diabetes should have a yearly eye check. This eye screening will pick up any changes in the blood vessels that supply the back of your eye (retina). If these changes are identified early, they can be treated by eye specialists - protecting your vision. If you are having problems with blurred vision, this can be caused by high blood glucose levels or cataracts (when the lens at the front of your eye becomes cloudy), so it is worth getting checked by your doctor or optician if this is a problem for you.
Nerve problems (Pain, tingling or numbness)
If the blood supply to the small nerves in your hands or feet is reduced by diabetes, this can cause shooting pain, tingling or numbness. The best way to prevent damage to nerves is to try and keep your average blood glucose levels (HbA1c) as close to target as you can. Depending on your treatment, this might mean aiming for an HbA1c of 48 mmol/mol (6.5%) or 58 mmol/mol (7.5%).
If you have any problems with pain or tingling in your feet, it may be worth getting your B12 levels checked and speaking to your nurse or doctor. Improving your blood glucose levels may also help your symptoms - and if that doesn’t work, there are a number of different tablets that can help make your nerves less sensitive and reduce the pain or tingling.
As part of your annual diabetes check, you will have a foot check to pick up any numbness in your feet. This is important to help prevent accidental damage to the skin and avoid developing foot ulcers.
Kidney problems (Chronic kidney disease - CKD)
Minor kidney damage (Chronic kidney disease stage 1-3) is very common in Type 2 diabetes, and this is usually not something to worry about. The important thing is to pick up any further deterioration in your kidney function early and stop major problems from developing.
This is done by having a yearly blood and urine test as part of your annual diabetes review. If your kidney blood test drops or if your urine has protein in it - that is a sign that your kidneys need some extra protection.
The most important factor in keeping your kidneys healthy is to get your blood pressure under control (below 140/80 mmHg for most people, or below 130/80 mmHg if you have any complications). It is also sensible to reduce the amount of salt you eat and avoid medication like anti-inflammatory medicines (e.g ibuprofen) which can be harmful to the kidneys if taken for too long. Certain blood pressure tablets (ACE inhibitors and ARBs) are very good at protecting the kidneys from damage.
Heart problems (chest pain or feeling very uncomfortable on exertion)
Looking after your heart and circulation is very important when living with Type 2 diabetes. If the blood vessels supplying the heart become narrow, physical activity like walking fast, going up stairs or running can trigger chest pain. Typical angina is a heavy crushing pain in the middle of the chest that might spread to the left arm, shoulder or jaw. It normally settles with rest or medication for angina.
Severe angina at rest associated with feeling sweaty or unwell might be a sign of a heart attack, where one of the arteries to the heart has become completely blocked. This can be treated as an emergency in the hospital by putting in a small stent that will open up the blockage.
There is a lot that can be done to reduce the risk of having angina or a heart attack. The main areas to focus on are:
- Good blood pressure control - regular exercise, weight loss, a low salt diet and medication will help to lower blood pressure.
- Lowering blood cholesterol - taking statins and a low fat diet will reduce the amount of cholesterol in the blood and reduce the chance of plaques clogging up arteries.
- Stopping smoking - smoking is the biggest risk factor for developing heart and lung problems and quitting will immediately start to improve your health.
- Good blood glucose control - it is easiest to control blood glucose levels when you are first diagnosed - and good control at the start will help reduce the risk of heart problems later in life.
Strokes
Strokes and mini-strokes (TIA) are also caused by blocked arteries. Common symptoms of a stroke can include sudden onset weakness on one side of the face, weakness in one arm or leg or slurred speech. A mini-stroke may cause similar symptoms, but the symptoms may not last very long.
Sexual problems (problems with erections and vaginal dryness)
Sexual problems can be difficult to discuss with health professionals, but they can have a big impact on someone’s life. Prescription medication can help with erection problems or vaginal dryness and it is important to be able to discuss this with your health professionals. If this is difficult to discuss in person, you might be able to email or do an online consultation that could make it easier to ask for help.
So, What’s the Good News?
So far, it all looks like doom and gloom. But it doesn’t have to be that way. You can stave off, reduce, or even avoid diabetes complications by practising good diabetes management. It takes a little self-discipline, but with so much to lose - and even more to gain - it has to be worth the effort.
Begin by following doctors’ orders. Monitor your blood sugar as recommended by your healthcare team. Use your meds according to instructions. Implement some lifestyle changes. Eating a healthy diet and getting some exercise may take some self-discipline, but it will leave you feeling great while helping you to reduce your chances of developing Type 2 diabetes complications.
The bottom line? Never give up! Type 2 diabetes is scary, but you’re pretty tough too! Tackle the beast head on! Fortune favours the brave!
Reasons to Die: Did You Know?
According to some sources, you face a one in 240 lifetime chance of dying in a road accident. Meanwhile you only have a one in 5000 chance of dying from Type 2 diabetes complications. The better you manage your diabetes, the lower the chances will be.
Nevertheless, it’s sobering to think that getting into your car, or crossing the road, could be more dangerous than your well-managed Type 2 diabetes. Unfortunately, many insurance companies don’t see it that way. As a person with a pre-existing condition, you’re not every insurance company’s favourite client. They ask for this, they ask for that, and then they take months contemplating whether you qualify for life insurance cover.
There’s an easier way. After all, managing Type 2 diabetes means positive lifestyle changes that many “healthy” people won’t implement. So, why wait longer when you apply for life insurance? With Blueberry life, it takes just three easy steps that you can complete without leaving your home. Get the ball rolling right away. It’s as easy as filling out an online application - all you need is 5 minutes to tell us about yourself.
Reviewed by Dr. Kingshuk Pal
