Sugar Diabetes Support System

03/02/2026

6 Things You Should Know About Type 2 Diabetes

1. It’s a chronic condition and currently has no cure

Type 2 diabetes is a condition that occurs when your body has difficulty managing its blood sugar levels. It’s due to the body’s inability to use insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar.

If your body can’t use insulin to metabolize glucose, a simple sugar, it will build up in your blood, leading to high blood sugar levels. As a result of cellular resistance, the various cells in your body won’t get the energy they need to function properly, causing further problems.

Diabetes is a chronic condition. Currently, there’s no cure, so it takes careful management and sometimes medication to keep blood sugar levels within their target range.

2. It’s on the rise, especially in young adults

Worldwide, the mortality rate due to diabetes rose by 3% between 2000 and 2019, according to the World Health OrganizationTrusted Source.

Even more concerning is that type 2 diabetes was once only seen in adults but is now more and more commonly diagnosed in young adults as well.

3. It can go unnoticed for years

Many cases of type 2 diabetes are undiagnosed because of a lack of symptoms or because people don’t recognize them as diabetes symptoms.

Causes of symptoms such as fatigue, increased hunger, and increased thirst are sometimes hard to pin down and often develop over a long period of time, if at all. For this reason, it’s especially important to get tested.

Anyone 35 or older should get screened for diabetes. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases even has a free diabetes risk testTrusted Source that will help you see if you’re at risk for type 2 diabetes.

The pros of monitoring glucose

If you’re at risk for type 2 diabetes, monitoring your glucose levels may help you spot early warning signs and take action before you develop serious health issues.

4. It can lead to serious complications if unchecked

If left undiagnosed and untreated for too long, type 2 diabetes can lead to life threatening complications. The same is true for people whose diabetes is not managed properly.

Cardiovascular diseaseTrusted Source, diabetic eye disease, kidney disease, nerve damage, hearing damage, and increased risk for stroke and Alzheimer’s disease are among the major complications that people with type 2 diabetes face.

Maintaining a close watch on blood sugar levels, cholesterol, and blood pressure is extremely important in lowering these risks. Early detection and treatment, a healthy lifestyle, and regular checkups are key.

5. It poses a higher risk to some groups of people

It’s not completely understood why diabetes occurs in certain people and not others, but research shows that some groups face a higher riskTrusted Source.

The following are potential risk factors for type 2 diabetes:

being inactive, exercising less than three times a week
a family history of diabetes, with a parent or sibling who has the condition
a history of gestational diabetes
a history of prediabetes
a history of insulin resistance, such as those with polycystic o***y syndrome (PCOS)
being Black, Hispanic, American Indian, Pacific Islander, or Asian American
being 45 or older
having high triglyceride levels
having low HDL cholesterol levels
having high blood pressure

6. It can be managed and prevented with a healthy lifestyle

One of the most important things you can do to manage type 2 diabetes and live a full life is to eat well and exercise regularly. Because experts know definitively that certain factors increase the risk, they also know that there’s a good chance you can prevent it or at least delay the onset.

Some basic things you can do to help prevent or manage type 2 diabetes include:

Do 30 minutes of regular, moderately intense physical activity daily or vigorous exercise 3 days a week.
Limit sugared drinks and saturated fats in your diet. Add more fruits and veggies, and remove processed foods.
Avoid to***co use, which increases the risk of diabetes and heart disease.
Regularly check your blood sugar if you’ve been diagnosed, and maintain proper foot, kidney, blood vessel, and eye care to prevent complications.
If you’re struggling with changing up your eating habits, here’s a tip from Vadym Graifer, author of “The Time Machine Diet,” a book that details Graifer’s personal journey with typ

Stelo is a non-prescription glucose biosensor that tracks glucose 24/7 – suitable for adults (18+ years) not on insulin and those interested in tracking their glucose.

14/11/2025

Salute to Orlando Pirates Football Club

22/03/2025

🍷 How often do you enjoy a glass of wine? Check out a few benefits and concerns research has stated about red wine for those with diabetes:

Many adults can attest to enjoying a glass of red wine from time to time — and people with diabetes may choose to continue enjoying red wine as a part of

21/02/2025

🚨Black toenails for those with diabetes may be a red flag worth paying attention to. Learn more about possible causes behind this symptom here 💡:

Changes to your skin and nails can be a red flag if you’re living with diabetes, especially when your feet are affected. If one or more of your toenails ha

07/01/2025

Because managing glucose levels is an important aspect of living with diabetes, it may be important to know about both hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia. Learn more here:

If you’re living with type 2 diabetes (also known as diabetes mellitus), you understand how important it is to keep glucose (blood sugar) levels within a n

19/11/2024

Some people with diabetes may receive eye injections to help treat vision problems caused by the condition. 💉 Learn more about this treatment option here ❤️:

Diabetes can affect your eyes and vision in a few different ways. Two of these conditions — diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema (DME) — may be

08/11/2024

Knowing how to manage diabetes care costs can be stressful and difficult to navigate. Explore tips and resources on finding financial support for diabetes treatment, including options like government programs and patient assistance programs here:

Living with diabetes can be expensive, including the costs of insulin and other medications and of taking time off work to see your doctor. People with di

17/10/2024

People with diabetes are at risk of a variety of eye diseases. Read on for 7 ways diabetes can affect your eyes:

People with diabetes are at risk of a variety of eye diseases. The American Academy of Ophthalmology refers to diabetes-related eye problems under the umbr

28/08/2024

Why insulin causes weight gain

Weight gain can be a typical side effect of insulin therapy. Insulin helps you manage your blood sugar by assisting your cells in absorbing sugar (glucose).

Without insulin, your body’s cells are unable to use sugar for energy. You’ll eliminate the extra glucose in your bloodstream through your urine or it will stay in the blood causing high blood sugar levels.

You may experience weight loss before you start insulin therapy. The loss of sugar in your urine takes water with it, so some of this weight loss is due to water loss. Weight loss may also be partially by the kidneys increasingly removing glucose via urine.

When you start insulin therapy and begin getting your blood sugar under control, the glucose in your body is absorbed and stored. This causes weight gain if the amount you eat is more than you need for the day.

It’s important not to cut back on your insulin, even if you gain weight. You may lose weight again when you’re not on insulin, but you’re increasing your risk of complications. Also, once you start treatment again, the weight will come back.

This can lead to an unhealthy weight loss pattern and long-term complications such as heart disease or kidney damage. Insulin is the best way to lower your blood glucose for those with type 2 diabetes that is not well managed. And remember, never make any changes to your insulin therapy unless your doctor recommends doing so.

You can manage your weight while taking insulin. It may involve adapting lifestyle behaviors such as changing your eating habits and increasing physical activity to help you maintain a moderate weight.

18/08/2024

Diabetic nephropathy is a slowly progressing condition that can be hard to detect. You may not notice any symptoms until your condition has progressed into later stages.

Diabetic nephropathy happens when you develop kidney disease as a result of complications from diabetes.

You may never experience any severe symptoms with diabetic nephropathy. But some other conditions, like high blood pressure, can increase your chance of complications.

Read on to learn more about the early signs and symptoms, some common causes of diabetic nephropathy, and what diagnosis and treatment options are available.

As with most kidney diseases, diabetic nephropathy has five stages. Doctors determine each stage using a couple of factors:

glomerular filtration rate (GFR), which is a measurement of how well your kidneys are filtering out toxins and other waste
damage and functionality, which refers to how much kidney damage you have and how the condition is affecting your kidney function

First symptoms of diabetic nephropathy

You’ll likely start to notice the earliest symptomsTrusted Source at stage 2, when your GFR begins to dip below 89. But even at this stage, it’s still possible that your symptoms will be very mild.

Some of the first symptoms of diabetic nephropathy include:

occasional fatigue that’s not dependent on your activity level
loss of appetite for no clear reason
consistent headaches
dry or itchy skin that’s not connected to weather or humidity levels
nausea
vomiting with no apparent cause
mild swelling in your arms and legs

Diabetic nephropathy causes

High blood pressure and high blood sugar related to diabetes are the two main causes of diabetic nephropathy.

Other factors that can increase your likelihood of diabetic nephropathy include:

African American, Hispanic, or American Indian ancestry
a family history of kidney disease
type 1 diabetes that develops before you’re 20 years old
smoking
obesity
eye disease or nerve damage from diabetes

Diabetic nephropathy treatment

Depending on your symptoms and stage, treatment options for diabetic nephropathy include:

medications to control your diabetes symptoms and prevent complications
diet and lifestyle changes, such as reducing your sodium intake or increasing your activity level to control your blood pressure
dialysis to help your kidneys function more effectively
kidney transplant to replace one or both kidneys

When to contact a doctor

Contact a doctor if any of your symptoms are severe or last for more than a few weeks without getting better.

You should also seek consistent medical treatment if you have diagnosed type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Untreated diabetes is more likely to result in complications like diabetic nephropathy.

15/11/2023

🌍 It's World Diabetes Day today. This year, WHO highlights the importance of equitable access to essential diabetes care. Join us in:

✅ Advocating for access to diabetes care for all
📚 Spreading knowledge and support to empower individuals living with diabetes
🎉 Celebrating the experiences of those living with diabetes
✨ Inspiring those with diabetes to take action, including seeking essential care

Learn more 👉🏼

World Diabetes Day provides an opportunity to raise awareness of diabetes as a global public health issue and what needs to be done, collectively and individually, for better prevention, diagnosis and management of the condition.

23/10/2023

Controlling diabetes involves managing blood sugar levels, making healthy lifestyle choices, and adhering to medical advice. Here are five essential ways to help control diabetes:

1. **Monitor Blood Sugar Levels:**
Regularly monitor your blood sugar levels as advised by your healthcare provider. This helps you understand how your body responds to food, physical activity, and medication. Keep a log of your readings, and share this information with your healthcare team to make necessary adjustments to your diabetes management plan.

2. **Eat a Balanced Diet:**
Follow a balanced and controlled diet to manage your blood sugar. Some dietary tips include:
- Choose complex carbohydrates like whole grains, legumes, and vegetables over simple sugars.
- Control portion sizes to manage calorie intake.
- Include lean proteins like poultry, fish, and plant-based sources.
- Focus on fiber-rich foods to help stabilize blood sugar levels.
- Limit saturated and trans fats.
- Monitor carbohydrate intake and distribute it evenly throughout the day.

3. **Engage in Regular Physical Activity:**
Regular exercise can help improve insulin sensitivity and blood sugar control. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity per week, along with strength training exercises at least two days a week. Consult your healthcare provider before starting an exercise program, especially if you have other health conditions.

4. **Medication and Insulin Management:**
If prescribed by your healthcare provider, take your medications and insulin as directed. It's crucial to follow the recommended dosage and timing. Ensure you understand how your medications work and any potential side effects. Regularly review your medication plan with your healthcare team to make adjustments if necessary.

5. **Stress Management:**
Chronic stress can impact blood sugar levels. Implement stress management techniques such as meditation, yoga, deep breathing exercises, and other relaxation strategies. Reducing stress can help improve blood sugar control.

In addition to these five essential ways, remember to:

- Stay hydrated and consume water throughout the day.
- Get adequate sleep as poor sleep can affect blood sugar levels.
- Maintain a healthy weight by following a balanced diet and staying active.
- Work closely with your healthcare team, including your doctor, diabetes educator, and dietitian, to create and adjust a personalized diabetes management plan.
- Regularly check your A1C levels to assess long-term blood sugar control.

It's important to note that diabetes management varies from person to person, so work with your healthcare team to create a tailored plan that suits your specific needs and goals. Always consult your healthcare provider before making significant changes to your diabetes management routine.