Reasons You May Have Developed Type 2 Diabetes

“You have type 2 diabetes”.

Those aren’t words you ever want to hear from your doctor, but it’s actually a fairly common diagnosis. Over 37 million Americans have diabetes, and approximately 90-95% of them have type 2.

That’s about 1 in 10 Americans. Believe me when I say you are not alone and that there are ways to find harmony with the disease.

There are many resources out there to help you through this journey. But first things first: you need to understand what causes type 2 diabetes. The more you can learn about the why behind the disease, the better you can tackle its symptoms and risks.

What is Type 2 Diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease where your body doesn’t use insulin properly. Your blood glucose (or blood sugar) levels are too high. This is the most common form of diabetes.

Some people can control their blood glucose levels with nutritious eating and exercise. Others need medication or insulin to manage their type 2 diabetes. Blood glucose is your main source of energy and is derived mainly from the foods you eat.

Insulin, which is a hormone made by your pancreas, gets glucose into your cells, which is then converted to energy. When you have type 2 diabetes, your body doesn’t make enough insulin or doesn’t use it well. That means that too much glucose stays in your blood and not enough reaches your cells.

What Are the Risk Factors?

You don’t just wake up one morning with type 2 diabetes. There are many reasons you may have developed the condition, and none of them are sudden – but only some of them are preventable.

Once referred to as “adult-onset diabetes,” this disease is not confined solely to adults. Type 2 diabetes occurs at any age, and increasingly, children are being diagnosed with the disease.

Some of the top risk factors for type 2 diabetes include:

Weight

About one-third of American youth (ages 10-17) are either overweight or obese. In adults, that number is almost two-thirds. These alarming statistics also coincide with the rising cases of type 2 diabetes.

Overeating is one reason for this trend. Our portion sizes are growing, both at home and when eating out. Another common cause of weight gain is consuming too many processed foods and sugars.

Many of us don’t know how to eat for diabetes or prediabetes, and that makes maintaining a healthy weight a challenge. It takes a strategic approach to managing weight gain – especially in the wake of a type 2 diabetes diagnosis.

Age

It’s commonly known that if you’re over the age of 35, you’re more at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Although children can develop diabetes, the risk increases the older patients get. Advancing age coincides with insulin secretion deficiencies and resistance, which goes hand-in-hand with diabetes.

Family History

If someone in your family has diabetes, you could have a stronger chance of developing type 2 diabetes. Although the condition is linked to family history, environmental factors also play a role and can exacerbate pre-existing risks for diabetes.

In fact, type 2 diabetes actually has a stronger link to family history and lineage than type 1. Although there are many risk factors for diabetes that are under our control, our genetics are not.

Ethnicity

Your odds of contracting type 2 diabetes can also increase based on your family’s ethnicity. African Americans, Hispanic/Latino Americans, American Indians, or Alaska natives are at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes than other ethnicities. Some Pacific Islanders and Asian Americans are also at a higher risk.

Physical Activity

Do you exercise regularly, or are you relatively sedentary? This is a big factor in developing type 2 diabetes.

If you’re not physically active, whether it’s due to physical limitations, your career, or your lifestyle, you’re automatically at a higher risk. Get your BMI checked. Adults with a body mass index of 25 or higher have a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Managing and Treating Your Type 2 Diabetes

So, you’re facing it – the “D” word. Take a deep breath and know that you’re not alone.

Type 2 diabetes can be managed, and in most cases, you can stay healthy and thrive for many years. Of course, it’s crucial that you seek proper support and education to manage the condition. The help of friends and family, coupled with a stronger understanding of your disease, can go a long way toward making peace with your diagnosis.

What else can you do? We’ve discussed some of the reasons you may have developed type 2 diabetes, but what now? Here is a handful of starter tips.

✓ Build a Better Relationship With Food

I’m not talking about strict diets or depriving yourself. Outsmarting diabetes is about learning how to eat for the disease and integrating cutting-edge nutrition changes to lose weight, stabilize blood sugar, and increase your energy levels.

✓ Get Moving

Adults should aim for 30 minutes per day of aerobic exercise along with some strength and resistance training. Even just a little physical activity makes a big difference in how you manage your diabetes and feel every day.

✓ Schedule Regular Checkups

Don’t be a stranger to your doctor. Involve your medical provider in what’s going on with your symptoms and let them know about any issues or struggles you may have. Suffering in silence is no way to find harmony with your diagnosis.

✓ Find a Support Group

You need love and support if you’re going to manage your type 2 diabetes. After all, it’s challenging to win any fight without someone in your corner, cheering you on and picking you up.

Search for a group locally or online. There are a lot of people out there just like you. If you’re struggling to find connections, shoot me a message. I’m happy to connect you with others managing and fighting type 2 diabetes.

✓ Sign Up for Cooking Classes

You’d be amazed at what this can do for both your mind and your body. Eating healthy doesn’t mean eating bland or dry food, nor does it mean giving up all of your favorite dishes. Learning to cook for your condition is one of the most empowering things you can do.

✓ Manage Your Medications

This is crucial. Work hand in hand with your doctor on dosages and a schedule you can follow to monitor your blood sugar and take your medications when necessary. Consider using a continuous glucose monitor to give you invaluable data and feedback on the changes that you make.

Looking for More Type 2 Diabetes Support?

A Type 2 diabetes diagnosis is something you need to take seriously, but it’s a far cry from a death sentence. If you focus on ways to manage your symptoms and understand your risk factors, you can find a joyful path forward.

Most importantly, remember to live your life. Don’t stop doing the things you love just because of a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. You know the reasons you may have developed type 2 diabetes – now you just need a plan to deal with it.

If you need help or support, I’m always here to help you navigate through these rough waters. I have many individualized approaches to diabetes management that involve diet, exercise, and strengthening your mindset – which in return can help you get off some medications, and leave you feeling energetic and ready to tackle life.

I also offer group coaching sessions and I’d love to meet you. Schedule a call today and we’ll work together so you can live harmoniously with your type 2 diabetes diagnosis.