What is Diabetes Type 2?
- Type 2 diabetes is a disease that occurs when your body isn’t able to produce enough insulin, or appropriately use the insulin it is able to make.
- Insulin is a hormone that is used by the body to metabolize/control the levels of sugar/glucose in your blood
- If you are unable to use/make insulin, the levels of glucose/sugar in your blood can rise, causing harm to your body.
- Type 2 diabetes can be prevented or well controlled by diet,exercise and if you are on diabetic medication, properly adhering to medication instructions.
Complications of Type 2 Diabetes
If diabetes is not well controlled, many different complications can arise. Listed here are a few of the complications of uncontrolled diabetes.
- High blood pressure (Hypertension): Diabetes can increase chances of heart disease and/or high blood pressure. This can cause damage to other parts of your body including the heart, brain, kidneys, and eyes.
- Diabetic retinopathy: Diabetes can cause serious damage to the eyes leading to vision loss.
- Nerve damage: A long term complication of diabetes is nerve damage/ peripheral neuropathy. With severe complications and/or where diabetes is not well controlled, infection can occur as well as amputation.
Resources
Diabetes Cooking Classes - Tasty Table Series
Produced by Durham CHC's DEP Team
Diabetes Canada
Unlock Food Canada